Search This Blog

Loading...

Friday, February 17, 2012

:: Perceptual Intent Studio Hours Update ::

:: click here for  full website ::
I am on an appointment only schedule.
Most weekdays I am here 10AM - 3PM often earlier
or later as able.
Please call 503-980-5231 before heading down.
I use Twitter to keep my schedule updates more current.
I'll endeavor to update Twitter on those days where my schedule varies from usual hours
I will also randomly post discount specials via Twitter so follow me! 
See the live twitter feed window on the right or click here as
some Web browsers don't show the Twitter feed window.
Upcoming closures: 
Closed Monday Feb 20
Closed Monday March 26 & Thursday March 29 
Closed July 12th thru July 25th

The parking patrol have been active lately 
remember its always OK to park in the lot by the railway tracks when there is room. 


download pricelist




Friday, October 7, 2011

:: digital capture ::

 This is the first entry of a a new tech blog to answer various questions that come up about digital capture of paintings and other two dimensional artwork. I'll endeavor to expand and update it regularly. I often am asked  about various services and repeated questions come up which I hope to answer here. I can then refer your questions to this blog as it grows.

 As many of you know I employ a digital stitching technique to produce high resolution files of paintings up to 6' in width. All digital capture files on my pricelist at $20.00 and above are created by combining between 2 &15 and sometimes more precisely aligned multiple raw captures of your artwork. These multiple images are then stitched seamlessly together in Photoshop.

This is why I need to know what the largest size file you'll need as the process expands and turnaround time lengthens as the file size grows.  So to estimate what size files you require, you will need to know the size of your artwork and the largest size you would want to reproduce (print) the file at

One of these days I will document the stitching process and post a photo series to better explain for those who are perhaps confused by the process or just want more info. This will also help illustrate why for example large captures of gold, silver and other sparkly media can be problematic and very time consuming  when combined with stitching. I rarely have charged extra for this but will need to soon.
 My price list shows approximate file sizes in MB along with the approximate maximum output size at 300 ppi at each price point. 
After stitching the multiple capture files together I then do multiple pass sharpening (Capture, Luminance and Output if printing), color correction, sometimes canvas skew correction and touch up if needed/requested. The master files I provide are optimized to leave headroom (shadow and high light detail) for final level adjustments for printing to a particular paper. I output your files to DVD in multiple formats 16 bit PSD masters (when applicable), 8bit TIFF & JPEG, 800 pixel web files and 1920x1920 Zapp format also used by CaFÉ™ for image submissions. I usually email web proofs and can upload full size files for you as well. If you ask nice I'll make a simple webpage for gratis of your paintings with a link to pass along if you need a quick web presence.  Remember  that a large file can always be downsized for web or smaller prints but the reverse is far less satisfying. You can only up rez a file so much with anything close to satisfactory results. So if you think there is a chance you might in the future need large high quality prints I recommend ordering larger files. See pricelist

Old tech page for some additional info:
 http://perceptualintent.com/Technical.html

Tuesday, October 4, 2011

:: emailing files ::

There are various issues that can arise when sending digital files via email.
First off sending large files often needed for print production can often exceed the file size limits restrictions of your email client application or program. Gmail has a  20 MB file attachment limit which is among the highest provided by popular email and I highly recommend signing up for a free Gmail  email account if you have issues sending files. For very large files see links below.
Do not drag files into the body of your email message, while this will indeed attach the file for sending, it will also probably compress the file to make it smaller for quicker web uploads which will seriously degrade the image quality.
If you are dragging a JPEG file into your email it is quite possible it was already  compressed and re- compressing it will just exacerbate the issue of degrading your files.
If you are in the habit of dragging files on to your email then its time to switch to "attaching" your files (though if you drag a file into a GMail email rather then attaching you are given the option of attaching at original size which is what you want).
If your email client or application/program does not give you the option to attach files then its time to switch your method of email to the totally free Gmail or alternately YahooMail (Yahoo now makes it very easy to send files up to 100MB via a yousendit option built right in)!!
For files over 20MB or if you are unable to email a particular file try FTP.
Visit the  link below for more information:
http://perceptualintent.com/News/Entries/2011/8/3_ftp_server.html

A viable alternate to FTP IS provided by these great free online services:
https://www.yousendit.com 
or
https://www.dropbox.com

digital capture blog

schedule update


Saturday, May 14, 2011

New Pricelist Ready Week of May 16

Click to Download  

I’ve been putting off completing the new Price-list for a while now and for several reasons.
First off in this economy I know things are tight for everyone and I just couldn’t bring myself to raise prices.
I also know that the current price-list can be confusing and I need to reformat it.

However if I want to keep my doors open I will need to up some prices.
First off I want to simplify things...

Printing
Paper sizes in the digital age still don’t match up to the commonly desired print sizes.
The smallest paper size I stock is 8.5X11
So to print an 8x10 or 5x7 or any small custom size I have always trimmed down or cut up the larger size paper as required.

In many cases I spend as much time fine tuning a 5x7 print in Photoshop as I would on say an 11x14 or larger print and though yes the paper and ink costs are lower for a smaller single print, my time is what you are truly paying for. So if you need a 4x6 or 5x7 print see below and get 2 each. Purely proof prints are the possible exception where I can offer price break for small prints by request quote.
Larger standard paper sizes are 11”X17” 13”X19” and 17”x22”.
I will no longer be stocking roll paper for several reasons so the largest paper size I now print to is 17”x22”. I rarely stock 13”x19” paper anymore, unless a particular sized large job makes it practical.
The new print Price-list will reflect the 3 paper sizes I will primarily use: 

81/2X11
11X17
17x22

If you require 5x7 prints I will print them 2 up on 8.5 x 11.
8x10’s are also trimmed down from 81/2 x 11, 11x14’s from 11”x17” stock, 16x20’s from 17x22 stock etc. Multiple 4x6" and other small prints are ganged on larger paper as best suited and charged at the paper size. For example 12 4x6’s fit on a sheet of 17x22.

Digital Capture


Pricing is now listed by 8-bit file size only, not by stitching frames.
In many instances I will still prep your files in 16-bit at my discretion.
If you have been using and do need the 16-bit files master files then ask for a quote.
If you require the Gretag Macbeth Color Calibration chart (GTM File) included with your digital capture file I now charge an add’l $5.00 per capture.
I will need to start charging extra (up to 100%) for capturing certain reflective gold, silver and copper reflective media as it involves double capture with and without polarization on each individual stitch capture and requires considerable additional computer time to “blend”.
Basic capture is still $15.00 however that is now for a maximum 23mb 8-bit file only.
I am now also offering web only digital capture at $10.00 each for a maximum 6MB file.

Larger capture pricing ranges as follows:
$20.00 for up to 60MB,
$25.00 for up to 100MB
$35.00 for up to 150MB
$50.00 for up to 250MB

All files burned to disk with proofs emailed and/or placed on my server for download if requested at no additional charge as always.

Film Capture

For those of you who were customers in ProLab days you might be surprised to know that my prices for 35 mm slide copy work are the same as they were in 1987. 4x5 prices date back to early 1990’s. As film capture is now the exception rather than the standard I must raise prices significantly to catch up to film and processing price hikes. Its no longer practical to stock large bricks of film to ensure the same emulsion batch as work volume has dropped to the point where the film now expires before use. I stopped processing film in house several years ago. 
So first off I need to implement a $50.00 minimum film capture order.
First 35mm slide is now $20.00 with each additional copy $4.00.
I have been debating dropping 4x5 film capture altogether but for now will continue to offer at $60.00 for first chrome and $35.00 for each additional copy.

Click to Download
Current Schedule

Monday, December 13, 2010

Painting Delivery Service

For those of you who find it challenging to transport your artwork to and from Perceptual Intent  I want to give you the option to have your paintings picked up from your studio  then returned after I have prepared your files etc.

Some of you might know Wayne who manages the 111 Portland Cement Building and also worked at ProLab NW. With some notice he will be available to transport your art in his pickup truck (with canopy).

You will need to call Wayne directly to schedule pickup at a mutually convenient time. You can negotiate rates with him plus pay him directly (cash or check only) probably $15.00 each way flat rate.
This is not a quick turn around option but if you have some lead time to spare it will save you the hassle of transport.

If this proves popular perhaps we can streamline things but for now consider it an experiment for all of us.

Call Wayne on his cell at 503-866-8847, he has requested you contact him before 8PM.

For perceptual intent web site click here

PayPal

For those of you who pay with debit and credit cards I wanted to let you know I will be switching to PayPal for all card transactions in January. Nothing will change on your end but I wanted to let you know that it will be easy for you to pay online if you prefer. Click here to visit my  perceptualintent paypal page.