| Common
Questions About Chromira Prints
What
is a Chromira?
The Chromira is a Digital Enlarger that exposes type C photographic
paper with LEDs. The photo paper is then processed in RA-4 chemistry,
creating a continuous-tone, true photographic print. The LEDs use
the numbers in your digital file to determine how to expose the
paper. The Chromira is different from inkjet printers because it
exposes photographic paper (no ink is involved), whereas inkjet
printers physically lay ink on paper or canvas.
Why
we chose the Chromira as our primary output device for Fuji Crystal
Archive Paper:
Both the Lightjet and the Chromira expose Fuji Crystal Archive paper.
The main difference between the machines is how they expose paper.
The Lightjet uses lasers, the Chromira uses LEDs. In our comparison
testing, we found that with an accurate profile, both could make
prints that we considered to be a match. We decided to go with the
Chromira because the prints seemed to consistently have a little
more brilliance and a little cleaner color.
How
prints off the Chromira compare to prints off the Lightjet:
• Sharpness: Chromira prints are as sharp or sharper than
Lightjet prints
• Both the Chromira and Lightjet accept standard 300 dpi files.
The Chromira can accept any resolution file.
• Gamut: In our comparison tests, we are seeing richer blues
and cleaner colors.
• Can it print from low-res digital camera files? Yes! The
Chromira can interpolate any DPI file up to printing resolution.
Optimal results are achieved by following the steps in our IMAGING
TIP: Gaining Maximum Sharpness from Digital Camera Files.
• Exposes Fuji Crystal Archive paper: Yes! The Chromira prints
on the same paper we used on the Lightjet.
Do
I need to profile my prints to your Chromira profile?
No. Unlike the Lightjet, the Chromira can read your working space
and convert it on the fly to the proper output profile. This saves
you a step, and saves you time. Please read the new preflight requirements.
Can
I use my existing profiled files to print on the Chromira?
Yes, but only if it's necessary. Because they’ve been confined
to the Lightjet colorspace, they may not be able to utilize the
full gamut of the Chromira. Your prints should look better if you
send us a targeted file in it's original RGB workingspace.
How
do Chromira prints compare to prints made through more traditional
methods, like Ilfochrome?
Ilfochrome is a beautiful analog process, but notoriously difficult.
Even at its best, Ilfochrome printing requires much more time than
Photoshop. Every time we've been asked by a client to "match"
an existing Ilfochrome print, we've gone beyond a match, and brought
out aspects of the image the client never thought possible. If
you are still using Ilfochrome, you should see what our process
can do for your photographs--otherwise, you'll never know what
you are missing! Quantitatively, digital prints will be sharper,
which allows you to make larger prints; the color is cleaner; and
the contrast problems so common in Ilfochrome prints are removed
by the scanner.
Is
there any difference between the gloss and matte finish in terms
of apparent sharpness or quality, or in terms of file size?
Both papers produce the same color. In terms of sharpness, the sheen
of the gloss paper makes the image appear slightly sharper (though
you wouldn't notice the slight difference at first glance). The
matte paper is less fragile than gloss, scratching less easily.
Both papers are beautiful, and deciding which one to use is a personal
preference.
How
do you recommend mounting Chromira prints?
Any process that can mount color photographic prints can work with
Chromira prints. We suggest checking with your framer to see what
process they use. Many customers have had success with dry mounting
or T-hinge mounting.
Here's
what you do to T-hinge mount: Take four strips of archival linen
tape, about .75" wide, and 2-3"
long. Tape one strip to the back of the print, on each of the upper
corners. The tape should be perpendicular to the top of the print,
and the sticky side should be up. Then take the other two pieces
of tape, and apply so each piece is parallel to the print, over
the other strips of tape. Now press these pieces of tape onto the
mat board. Your print is now fixed to the mat board. Now take two
plastic corner mounts, and apply them to the bottom corners of the
print. These mounts should not be supporting the print, but anchoring
it gently to the mat board. You're done!
How
much can I sell my Chromira prints for?
It depends on where you're selling them. In a fine art gallery,
here are some general prices for a matted Fuji Crystal Archive
print (unframed):
16x20: $350
20x24: $550
30x40: $1200
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