FAQ's
Q: How long has Harvest been in business?
A: Since 1989.
Q: What kind of products do you use?
A: Harvest uses a variety of media based on customer price point and market quality requirements. We use canvas products as well as fine art paper products to produce our reproductions and rely on a suite of products (ink, media, and coating) developed by BullDog Products. These products have been thoroughly tested at our location to ensure the finished product we provide to our customers is optimized for maximum image quality and longevity.
Q: How do you scan my painting? At what resolution?
A: Actually, if we have your painting we prefer to “shoot” it using a high-end digital camera. This method is far superior, although more difficult, than scanning a painting because it allows the photographer to adjust their lighting to capture more texture. And when combined with our state of the art CCD array, image detail and integrity is maintained throughout the painting’s highlights, mid-tones, and shadows.
Q: Why are you so much more then other giclee printers?
A: We're NOT. You will find exceptional value along with a competitive price in all of your print orders.
Q: How do I ship my painting?
A: We recommend clients ship their original paintings in wooden crates that are custom built for their piece to ensure that it will not be damaged in transit to and from our location. It is preferable that the original is removed from its frame.
Q: How do I get started?
A: The first step in the reproduction process is to take the physical and make it digital. This is called the image capture phase. We prefer to have your original to work from but if it cannot be supplied you can send us a good quality transparency to get started.
Q: If I start printing on paper for an image, can I switch to canvas later on if I want to? Can I change sizes also?
A: If you would like to produce your images on multiple substrates that is not a problem at all. However, when changing substrates reproofing is required to ensure your image has the same color representation on each different substrate. You can also change the sizes at which you would like your image reproduced however; there is a limit on how large an image can be enlarged before image integrity begins to deteriorate. If we did the original capture for your work we were sure to capture in a way that maximizes the possible image output size.
Q: How do you go about enhancing my reproduction if I need that?
A: Harvest has a staff of accomplished artists that can work with you on the desired technique and application you would like used on your reproduction who are also able to prototype enhancing possibilities for you. They work with textures, color and leafing to create a mixed media effect that can increase the value and originality of your reproductions.
Q: Why would an artist mount to board instead of stretching a piece?
A: Mounting to board has some clear advantages when compared to stretching a canvas print. A mounted piece is much easier to store, handle, and ship because the back side of the canvas is flat against the mounting surface while stretched canvas prints are like a drum, supported only along the outside with an exposed back side. Because this backside is exposed it can be more easily damaged and requires more space to ship and, as a result, is generally more expensive to ship because of dimensional weight. Mounting also requires less excess canvas than what is necessary in stretched pieces, therefore, allowing more printable area on a sheet.
Q: Can you silkscreen over a giclee and at what minimum quantity would I have to do for it to be cost effective?
A: Yes! Silk-screening over a giclée is a great way to highlight specific areas of a print and can help to increase the value of the print. Screen printing is an artistic, hand process that is actually created by an artist, the serigrapher. Because the set up requires color separation, masks, and burning screens, entire editions are usually printed at one time. If you are adding a one screen color to your giclee, however, it is feasible to print and screen 25 at a time in most instances.
Q: If I wanted you to ship prints to my client, can you do that for me?
A: Yes! We have fulfillment services available that include the storage of your prints as well as packaging and shipping to the customers you specify.
Q: What does Giclee mean?
A: Strictly speaking it comes from a French word that means “a spurt” or “a spray”. It is commonly used to refer to high end fine art digital reproductions.
Q: What is a Tru Giclee?
A: The Tru Giclee was born out of the need to identify a quality reproduction. During the course of the last ten years people have had liberal interpretations as to what a giclée is. The first giclee printer was an Iris which is still the finest resolution giclee printer available today and is used at Harvest. In recent years other types of digital printers have become acceptable reproduction devices. Harvest is committed to quality and strives to always have the finest reproduction available with current technological advances. Our R & D specialists, use of the highest quality materials and equipment, thorough testing of new products, talented staff and our commitment to excellence ensure that you will always receive the highest quality reproduction available to this culture at this time; or more simply stated… a Tru Giclee.
Q: What is the longevity of your product?
A: The equation that dictates how long a product will last has many variables including the ink used, substrate printed on, top coating used (if any), and the environment(s) the end product is exposed to. We produce products that range in longevity from 30 years to hundreds of years under normal conditions.
Q: Do you drop ship?
A: Yes!
Q: Do you prefer to work from original Art or transparencies?
A: We prefer to work from an original rather than from a transparency for several reasons. By working from the original we gain full control of every step of the reproduction process and when we have full control of the process we can produce a better product for you. By working from the original one step of digital interpretation of the original is skipped resulting in the highest quality reproduction available (visual diagram here).
Another big benefit of working with an original instead of a transparency is that we can match our output to the original instead of to an interpretation of it. This helps us produce a product that more closely matches the original.
Q: How much does it cost to reproduce my original?
A: Because there is not just one substrate, size, or technology to choose from when making reproductions of an original it is impossible to figure out costing without all the details (working from and original or digital file, what quality level is the digital file at?). To obtain a price quote please contact customer service so we can better understand your needs.
Q: What specs do I need to send my digital file in with?
A: We prefer an RGB image with a profile attached. The image capture should be in 300 dpi and size is determined by the size of the output you are requesting. Typically a 150 MB file is sufficient for most of the reproductions; however, if you are considering mural size you will want the file to be larger. Our customer service personnel can counsel you on this.
Q: What are the pros and cons to both the Iris and the Roland printers?
A: The Iris printer produces the highest quality image to date but the size of the reproduction and speed with which it can be produced is limited by its technology. The Iris is a drum printer which means it can only produce images as big as its drum, 35” x 47”. It takes about one hour for one sheet to be printed regardless of image size or number of images on a sheet. Longevity tested dye inks are used with four colors – cyan, magenta, yellow and black. Harvest has more Irises than any other facility in the world and uses over 18 Iris printers in production. This means that for the highest quality and fastest turnaround time Harvest Productions is the obvious choice.
The Roland large format printers use a different technology than the Iris printers. The size of the reproductions produced on them can be much larger with a width dimension of 74”. They use pigmented inks and print using twelve print heads.
Both the Roland and the Iris large format printers produce excellent image quality. Canvas and paper reproductions are available on both.
Q: Why do I need to spend all that money proofing my image?
A: Proofing an image onto a specific substrate is a one time fee and is the most important stage of production because it sets the bar at which all other reproductions of your original are measured against to ensure consistency. This is the process that interprets your art in the way you intended.
Q: How long will it take to get my first print?
A: The proofing process is generally 5-10 days depending on peak times. Once color approval is received it takes approximately 7-10 to complete your prints. If additional services are required, such as stretching, enhancing or framing, it will take a little longer.
Q: I looked on your website but didn't see any pricing.
A: We do not publish any of our pricing. We apologize for the inconvenience but our customer service staff would be glad to answer any of your pricing questions via email or phone.
Q: What are your hours?
A: We are open 8:30AM-5PM Monday-Friday.
Q: Do I need to make an appointment?
A: Yes. Please do so by submitting your information to us. We would love to have you come in for a tour.
Q: What other services do you offer and what is the cost?
A: To see all the services we offer please refer to our services page. Please contact us for a quote on any of the services you are interested in.
Q: Do you assist is product development?
A: Yes. We have experienced staff you can help guide you in determining what product and price point is right for your market. We look at art as being unique and we try to help you by create that unique look that defines you in the market place.
Q: What is your turn-around?
A: We, like most businesses, have times that are busier than others. We hold production meetings every morning in which our departments report how much work they have in the shop and what current turnaround is. Customer service will provide due dates upon ordering, but it is generally in the 10 day range.
Q: Do you use archival quality products?
A: Harvest Production only uses the best of archival materials in the manufacturing of all of our products. We have, over the course of the last 16 years, focused on the quality of each material used and its relationship to the product next to it. Our substrates, inks, and coatings have been tested and proven to be compatible with one another. You will see Harvest prints in galleries around the world. Read about our Giclee Care tips
Q: Do you offer volume pricing?
A: Yes. We are eager to determine how we can help build your business and we do offer volume pricing depending on quantity. We would love to talk with you about it.
