Glossary

  • NTSC and PAL VHS

    NTSC VHS NTSC (National Television System Committee) is a VHS video format used primarily in North America and Japan. It operates at a frame rate of 30 frames per second and a resolution of 525 lines. PAL VHS PAL (Phase Alternating Line) is a VHS video format used mainly in Australia and Europe (excluding France)….

  • Limited edition

    The term “limited edition” refers to the practice of producing a set number of copies of a print, book, sculpture, or other artwork. Each edition is restricted to a specific number, which is predetermined and adhered to, ensuring exclusivity and often increasing the work’s value. The size of a limited edition can vary greatly depending…

  • Giclée

    Derived from the French verb “gicler,” meaning “to spurt,” giclée is a term used in the industry to refer to high-quality inkjet printing. This method is favored for producing fine art prints due to its ability to deliver precise color accuracy and detail. For more information, see inkjet printing.

  • Fibre-based paper

    Fibre-based paper is a type of photographic paper commonly used for printing black and white images from negatives (C-type). This thicker paper offers a high-quality texture and is available in various surface finishes. It provides an excellent finish and adds ‘depth’ to the image, thanks to the subtle weave of the paper fibers. This quality…

  • Dye-based inks

    Dye-based inks are composed of dyes that dissolve completely in solution, unlike pigment-based inks, which contain tiny particles suspended in the liquid. This characteristic allows dye-based inks to be fully absorbed into the paper, creating an image that is essentially a highly controlled stain. The resulting images are smooth and even, offering a vast range…

  • Digital Inkjet

    Digital inkjet printing is a method of digital printing that creates images directly onto various materials, such as canvas or special paper surfaces, from a digital file. This process utilizes a stream of very fine dye drops, which are precisely controlled by a computer system to produce high-quality prints. For additional details, see also Giclée…

  • Digital colour coupler

    Digital colour coupler prints, also known as chromogenic prints, are similar to standard C-type prints. In this process, silver salts in the photographic paper ‘couple’ with colored dyes during development, rather than being replaced by them. The resulting images are comparable to standard C-type prints but have the advantage of utilizing the highly light-sensitive silver…

  • Digital interneg

    A digital interneg is an internegative produced through digital methods rather than traditional photographic techniques. The process involves scanning an original negative or its positive image to create a digital file. This digital file is then used to produce a new negative via laser writing. Digital internegs allow for precise control and manipulation of the…

  • C-type printing

    C-type printing is a process that involves creating color paper enlargements from small, color negatives. This is the most common method of color printing found in high street photo labs and mini-labs. The process produces high-quality color prints by projecting the image from the negative onto light-sensitive color photographic paper, which is then developed using…

  • CMYK

    CMYK stands for Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, and Black, which are the colors used in standard four-color printing processes. This color model is commonly used in various printing methods, including inkjet and Iris printers. In CMYK printing, these four colors are combined in various ways to produce a wide spectrum of colors in the printed material.

  • Chloro-bromide Print

    A chloro-bromide print is a type of silver gelatin print known for its deep rich blacks and crisp whites, often produced on high gloss paper. This printing method combines the properties of both silver bromide and silver chloride, resulting in a warmer brownish-black tone compared to prints made solely with silver bromides or silver chlorides….

  • Archival properties

    Archival properties refer to the durability and longevity of photographic paper and prints, indicating how resistant they are to fading and degradation over time. Various factors affect archival quality, including exposure to UV (ultraviolet) light, humidity, temperature, pollution, and acidity. To enhance archival properties and ensure the preservation of photographic prints, it is important to…