FAQ

1. Why photo corners? The American Institute for Conservation recommends either photo corners or Japanese paper hinges for mounting; with the photo corners, we can leave a bit of breathing room for the print to expand with humidity. (Colorado is very dry, and prints shipped to other locations will probably expand slightly.) Some of our prints may also have a central hinge so that the print has extra support at the top.
2. What about dry-mounting? Dry-mounting ensures that the print does not bend, but it occasionally succumbs to ripping and otherwise coming undone under environmental duress. It is also permanent, which prevents you from replacing a damaged backing or mat in the future. Our Photo-Box and "Matted" Mount finishes are dry-mounted products; we have placed our trust in the same company that provides mounting services for many of the finest names in photography today.
3. Why acrylic? We use acrylic for strictly practical purposes - it is shatter-resistant, and so it ships better. Acrylic is also lighter than glass (which means large prints are easier to hang), and lacks the blue-green tint of ordinary glass. Sure, there's expensive glass out there which is clear (for a real treat, try what Aaron Brothers calls "museum glass" - it's clear glass with an anti-reflective coating; it will only set you back about $45 for a 12x16 sheet...)
4. Why not non-glare acrylic? Traditional non-glare glazes - glass and acrylic - use a roughened surface to diffuse light. These surfaces create a "soft" image which detracts from the artwork somewhat. We have not yet found an acrylic equivalent to "museum glass" with its anti-reflective coating; if we find it, we will probably offer it - it's that good. (UPDATE: The makers of Acrylite acrylic now offer this "museum acrylic" - called Optium - but it is extra-ordinarily expensive and only available from a few distributors; we will continue to watch this new product but do not carry it at this time.)
5. Why Inkjet? For several years now, Inkjet prints have been gaining popularity in both the fine art and photographic markets. We use an advanced, archival inkjet technology; prints made with these new inks have greater color range and higher longevity than prints made using traditional photo imaging technology. We now print all of our smaller prints - 8"x12" and 12"x18" - and our cards using an Epson R800 or R1800 printer with UltraChrome Hi-Gloss inks; larger prints are made with a wide-format Inkjet printer using UltraChrome K3 inks.
6. Why Velvia and Provia 100? Although many professionals prefer Fuji Velvia 50, I have chosen to use the higher-speed 100F films for their finer grain and more natural appearance. (The higher speed also helps...) Velvia 50 has more resolution, but also higher grain (no, it isn't a contradiction), and produces a very saturated image; it also has more "quirks", including being difficult to work with in low light. The 100F films are Fuji's most recent, advanced, and robust film products. No other film brands offer the resolution and grain advantages of these Fuji films.
7. What charities are supported? Where possible, we try to send our 20% after-tax profits to the organization most responsible for maintaining the site portrayed - purchases of Arches National Park pictures will generate funds for Arches National Park or the Canyonlands Institute (the local non-profit group supporting Canyonlands and Arches parks). When a site organization does not accept donations (e.g. most Forest Service sites), donations will be made to a conservation organization such as The Nature Conservancy, so that more land can be protected.
8. Are your products guaranteed? Yes! We offer a money-back guarantee within the first month for defects and other issues.