Printing

Our goal at Tricera Print is to ensure that your prints are the highest quality, most archivally stable prints possible using the latest Epson digital printing technology.

We only use the latest generation Epson UltraChrome ink that’s been tested and proven to be colour stable up to two hundred years when used with certain archival papers that we offer. While many labs use Epson printers, they choose to use inferior third-party ink sets, which ultimately leads to product failure, sometimes within a couple of years. When deciding who to choose for your digital fine art printing needs in Vancouver, these are important questions to ask.

Another factor to consider is the media type on which your work is being printed, whether it be a “fine art” photographic paper or a canvas giclee print. Canvases are not created equally and there are numerous cheap quality products on the market that look good at first but break down within just a couple of years. We use Epson Exhibition Canvas, made in Europe and tested for its archival stability, which exceeds the industry average. We hand varnish all canvases with either a matte or gloss finish to increase the archival stability and durability of the surface. As well, most of the papers we print on have been tested by Wilhelm Research and are recognized as the gold standard in the industry.

We feel a responsibility to our clients to help you make informed decisions about your artwork, so that you can be assured you’re getting the best print possible from us.

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File Preparation

Hahnemühle Photo Rag® Baryta

Hahnemühle Photo Rag® Baryta is a pure cotton paper with an inkjet coating that has been perfectly optimized for the needs of FineArt applications. This paper is a warm shade of white and contains no optical brighteners. The exquisite surface texture gives the paper a lovely, delicate feel while at the same time lending it an artistic note.

Hahnemühle Agave

Hahnemühle Agave – a white paper with a textured surface – is made from 70% agave fibres and 30% cotton and guarantees archival standards. This is our most textured paper with a natural white matte finish. An eco-friendly paper that is also archival. Ideally suited for those seeking a water-colour type surface.

Hahnemühle Photo Rag® 308

Hahnemuhle Photo Rag® 308 is a white, 100% cotton paper with a smooth surface texture. This paper is great for black & white and colour photography, limited edition prints, presentation prints for display purposes and exhibitions.With its premium matt inkjet coating Photo Rag meets the highest industry standards regarding density, colour gamut, colour graduation and image sharpness. Compared to the epson Hot press Bright this paper is slightly warmer and has a more pronounced surface texture.

Epson Legacy Platine

Epson Legacy Platine is a 100% cotton fibre paper with a white, smooth satin finish. This paper combines the look and feel of the revered silver halide F-surface with a true cotton base. It has an industry leading microporous inkjet receptive layer that produces deep, rich blacks (Dmax), expanded color gamut and gentle tonal gradations and will provide outstanding image permanence and durability. Epson Legacy Platine is acid and lignin free / pH buffered and contains no Optical Brightening Agents (OBAs).

Epson Legacy Baryta

Legacy Baryta is a 314 gsm traditional baryta paper with an ivory white, smooth satin finish. This paper delivers the look and feel of the revered silver halide F-surface darkroom papers and will provide excellent image permanence. We recommend this paper to those looking for one of the most archivally stable photographic papers. We know from experience that the pros who sell their prints worldwide in galleries and displayed in museums favour a baryta (barium sulphate) paper like this. If you want the best, then choose this one.

Epson Premium Luster

We feel Epson’s Premium Luster paper is the most versatile resin coated paper as well as best value. This 260 gsm resin coated paper has a pearl finish which is great for both colour and black and white output. This paper produces vivid, life-like images with accurate skin tones and incredible shadow detail.

Epson Hot Press Bright

Our favourite! This archival, smooth surfaced cotton rag paper is acid, lignin and chlorine free. Our extensive tests have shown this paper to offer an incredibly wide colour gamut with rich deep blacks. If it sounds like we’re sugar coating this were not…it’s just that great.

Epson Cold Press Bright

This paper shares the same characteristics as Hot Press bright but with a more traditional water-colour textured paper and feel. We print on this regularly and what we all agree on it that it’s not ideal for portrait or really detailed work. It’s great for reproducing the look and feel of traditional rework typically created on cotton rag and canvas.

Epson Metallic Gloss

This glossy paper has a unique, iridescent surface that adds a depth to an image that is hard to achieve with any other paper types. If HDR is your thing, then this paper is for you. We feel this paper really excels with cityscapes or industrial themed images. With certain landscape photographs (e.g., sunsets, fall foliage, you get the idea), these prints are really quite stunning.

Moab Lasal Photo Matte

For those seeking an economical flat matte surface, Moab Lasal Photo Matte Paper is the ideal choice. This 230 gsm, bright white smooth paper is perfect for crisp images on a non-glare surface. It yields highly saturated images, while maintaining excellent highlight and shadow detail. However, we do not recommend this paper if you require long term archival stability. If you need an archival matte paper we strongly suggest our favourite smooth cotton rag paper Epson Hot Press Bright.

Epson Exhibition Canvas

Canvas prints are a great way to display your work without the use of glass. When stretched onto either 3/4” or 1 1/2” bars the canvas is ready to hang on the wall without the need for glass. The textured weave of our archival canvas gives a depth and dimension to a print that cannot be achieved with traditional paper media.

All of our re enforced stretcher bars are handcrafted from Canadian Basswood .We offer two different profiles of stretched canvas, 3/4” or 1/ 1/2”. The 3/4” profile is only available in sizes up to 24”x36”.

To ensure the archival quality and durability of the canvas, we hand coat it with a special UV protectant. We offer two finishes matte or gloss.