What services do you offer? In addition to fine art printing, we offer film and flatbed scanning, art copy, retouching and mounting services. We also offer framing and art installation services through our production partners.
What file format is preferred? We accept most any file format but prefer tiff or jpeg files. Files should be RGB and have an assigned color space—typically either Adobe 1998 (preferred), sRGB or ProPhoto RGB.
Does my file need to be at 300 pixels per inch? No. While 300ppi works well, it’s not a requirement. We prefer a native resolution file to one that has been sized up to 300ppi. If using Photoshop, click off the “resample” box in the image size dialog then make the height or width the desired size. This will keep the integrity of the file intact. The resolution will change proportional to the dimensions. Ideally, 180-360 is a good native resolution but we have printed images as low as 100ppi with acceptable results.
Do I need to leave my artwork while it is scanned? Yes, artwork needs to be left unless prior arrangements are made.
How should I send my files to Bayou Fine Art? The easiest way to get files to us is via email (send to [email protected]) or by using the WeTransfer link at the top of our home page. WeTransfer is preferred for large file transfers (anything higher than 10MB). Always email files using the “actual size” option to preserve the integrity of the file.
Will I get a copy of my scans? Absolutely! We can copy your files to your USB drive or send the files to you via email or WeTransfer.
What’s the largest my file can be printed? This can be a difficult question due to so many variables (exposure, sharpness, resolution, etc.) Viewing distance is also a huge factor. Assuming your file is the original source file, we can roughly calculate the largest possible size using Photoshop’s image size dialog box (by constraining all and entering a relatively low but respectable resolution). When resolution is questionable on large prints, we recommend printing a proof first.
There are various options for copying my artwork. Which should I use? For smaller artwork, we recommend flatbed scanning. For larger art, we use either our 8K BetterLight system or our high resolution DSLR (45.7 megapixel). In many cases the less expensive DSLR option works fine. The determining factor is usually dictated by the desired final output size. The DLSR option will work fine for artwork reproduced up to 16x24 inches.