Fine art printing requires great attention to detail, an eye for color, and an understanding of the subject matter. The printer should find the right combination of inks and best substrate to accurately reproduce the artist’s creative vision. No easy task which is why those who do it well are well-paid for their skills and in high demand. As a result, few commercial printers have managed to make a mark in this sector with the industry consisting of thousands of outfits made up of one-man-and-a-press-in-a-workshop.

The niche market is attracting a lot of attention because of the rise in art sales. Printers with a state-of-the-art litho press will not get enough work if they focus exclusively on fine art work because a lot of the jobs are one-offs with short print runs. The exception is jobs involving gallery catalogues, brochures, and books. Printers serious about working in this sector have to be willing to invest a lot of money because they need to invest in the right kind of kit in order to reach the required standards. Money needs to be spent on image capture equipment with people who know the best way to photograph artwork with consistent color quality.

The real breakthrough – technology-wise – came with radical improvement in quality offered by digital technology which has subsequently eliminated litho. It has also eliminated the need for variety of expensive presses. Profits are often made by selling unique skills.