Options for Color Digital Prints from your files

At West Coast Imaging, we offer a full range of options for making color prints from your digital files:

Light-Sensitive Photo Papers
Most of our clients choose to use traditional light-sensitive photo papers, which we expose in our Chromira using an LED light source, and then process in RA-4 chemistry. Because it is real photo paper, prints have the tactile look and feel of a traditional photograph--but with all the benefits of digital control.

We offer standard Matte and Gloss surfaces using Fuji Crystal Archive Paper. Another option is Fuji SuperGloss, which has incredibly deep and rich colors thanks to its SuperGloss surface. If you like the look of Ilfochrome/Cibachrome, you’ll love SuperGloss. We also offer Kodak Metallic paper, which gives prints a unique, metallic look.

Inkjet Photo Papers
Another option is to use our inkjet printers to print on papers that have surfaces similar to light-sensitive photo papers. When viewed up-close, inkjet prints will look sharper than light sensitive papers, and many papers have extremely long life spans. Epson Premium Luster Photo Paper is the most popular choice, and it looks and feels very similar to Fuji Crystal Archive Matte. We can also print on glossy papers, but we find that glossy inkjet prints are not as rich and vibrant as those made on light-sensitive photo papers.

Inkjet Fine-Art Papers
Fine-art papers give color photographers exciting new options. Fine-art papers offer the same look and feel as the paper used for watercolor paintings. You can choose from papers ranging from a light texture, to a heavy texture. Prints on fine-art papers typically have a softer and quieter feel that works well for many photographs. Blacks are generally muted slightly, but rich, saturated colors are still possible. Much of the muted effect comes from the non-reflective qualities of the paper itself. Fine-art papers look wonderful when displayed in homes with no direct lighting on the artwork. Our most popular fine-art paper is Hahnemuhle Photo Rag.

Inkjet Canvas
With inkjet printing, we can also print on specially coated canvases. Since the texture of the canvas shows through, it gives the viewer a sense of a painting, and opens up new avenues of expression for photographers.

All of our paper choices are listed on on our papers page, including our staff favorites.

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