Virtual Garments Colour Palettes On-Screen Applications Fine Art Printing

Virtual Garments

  • What do we need to produce Virtual Garments?
  1. A “Donor” Garment.
  2. Shade details.
  3. and if ‘Mapping’ is required -Stripe dimensions and full pattern repeat of the print. (See below for further information)

DONOR GARMENTS

  • What is the “donor” Garment?
    This is a real garment, which is ideally photographed in our studio, from which the required coloured printed images are produced
  • Can the “Donor” garment be any colour?
    Yes, but the best results are achieved from mid-tones; Dusty Pink, Pale Blue, Beige, Rose
  • Which colours work less well as a “Donor”?
    Black and White are slightly less suitable as ‘donors’ but we work with what is available.
  • How can the Virtual Garment be photographed?
    They can be imaged as Hanging garments, Flat Packed or on a full or part body Torso – it’s your choice. If you wish the garments to be on a torso we will need to be sent the relevant mannequin.
  • Are there any special requirements for the “donor” of a mapped garment?
    Yes. It should be preferably plain and not striped or printed.
    If necessary we can use a printed ‘donor’ garment but we need to ‘burn-off’ the existing print first however this will also remove most of the texture and shadowing that is necessary to preserve the realism of the printed image.

Why not call us or email us to discuss your requirements?

  • Can you change the texture or fabric appearance of the “donor”?
    No, the texture and character of the printed Virtual Garment will be the same as the donor garment.
  • Therefore Marl, Printed or Stripe garments are not suitable to produce a plain image.
  • If the required resulting image is to be a Marl then a Marl garment is required.

GARMENT MAPPING

  • What is Garment Mapping?
    Our garment ‘Mapping’ process or ‘Draping’, as it is known to our clients in the United States, enables print designs or a stripes to be ‘absorbed’ into the texture of an image of a plain garment, whilst still retaining the distinctive characteristics, texture and shadowing of the original “Donor” garment.
  • How do you give the appearance of drape?
    We use bespoke software to mark out specific sections of the garment; ‘grids’ are created, following the natural drape of the fabric and the normal aesthetic appearance of the particular garment.
  • If the image of a garment is ‘mapped’, can it be used again for a different stripe or pattern?
    Yes, once a garment image is ‘mapped’, new stripes & prints can be applied, season after season, year after year.
  • What information do you need to ‘Map’ a stripe onto a garment?
    We need the dimensions of the stripe pattern repeat, the colour details and relevant information, e.g. which areas of the garment are striped and which are plain or if a specific colour stripe needs to be placed in a certain area, i.e. at the bottom of a placket or at the hem.
  • What information do you need to ‘Map’ a printed pattern onto a garment?
    Ideally a full sized pattern repeat on an electronic file, with clearly defined colour edges will give the best results. (Jpeg or Tiff or PSD). We also need colour details and information relevant to the garment, e.g. pattern direction and which areas, if any, to leave plain.
  • Can you work without an electronic file to ‘map’ a garment?
    Yes, we are pragmatic and resourceful people with the necessary skills in the team to work with what is available, a piece of fabric or CAD printout. We can work without a full pattern repeat when necessary.

Why not call us to talk over your requirements?

ARTWORK & EMBELLISHMENTS

  • What do you need to add artwork & graphics?
    We need an electronic file, Jpeg, Tiff or PSD with colour details, sizing and required positioning. Call us, if you have any queries.
  • What do you need to add lace or embroidery?
    We will need physical examples of the required embellishment, which we photograph and add to the image prior to printing to your specification.
  • What do you need to ‘clone’ components?
    We need the “Donor” garment plus the garment with the component that is to be transferred.

SHADE MATCHING & ILLUMINANT

  • What is viewing illuminant?
    This is the lighting in the areas in which the Virtual Garments will be viewed. We can match in TL84, D65, INC ‘A’, CWF or Tungsten.
  • How do we supply the shade details?
    Colour data can be sent to us electronically but physical standards are also required to ensure the accuracy of physical matching.
  • What can you match to?
    We can match to a swatch of fabric or lace, a CAD printout of a design or a piece of printed fabric.
  • Will we be able to reproduce the shades on Virtual Garments in the dyeing process?
    Yes, we ensure only shades that are within the gamut of the textile dyeing process are printed.
  • Are the printed images metameric?
    Shades printed on paper can be metameric as the inks used in the printing process can only be matched to the dyed fabric in one illuminant.

PACKING & DESPATCH

  • How are the Virtual Garments despatched?
    Flat-packed, via trackable courier service for a pre-9:00am, pre-10.00 and pre-Noon or Next Day service as required.
  • How do I use them?
    Our printed images are cut-out, mounted and despatched, ready to hang, using special hanger clips supplied with the images, in showrooms and meeting rooms.
  • Do I need to buy software to use the service?
    No, at present our Virtual Garments are available using our bureau service based in Leicestershire in the centre of the UK.

Colour Palettes

  • How do I send my colour inspiration?
    Preferably post a swatch of the physical source of your colour inspiration to our Studio.
  • How big does the swatch need to be?
    Minimum size: The size of a thumbnail.
  • Can I send electronic data?
    Yes, as typed spectral data or qtx files on an email or disc but we will also need a swatch of your colour for visual matching.
  • What illuminants can my work be matched in?
    TL84, D65, INC ‘A’, CWF or Tungsten.

On-Screen Applications

  • What is a suitable Image for this process?
    A Jpeg or a Tiff. As large a file size as possible. Please also let us know the required size, format and dpi requested by your Web Developer
  • What images are unsuitable?
    The realism of the re-coloured images will be affected if items are in front of the garment or product to be recoloured, eg. If the model has long fine hair which covers a large portion of the garment.
  • How do I supply the colour information?
    The colour information can be supplied via an electronic file as qtx data or typed spectral data, however a physical swatch is also required to ensure the image is accurate. If the physical swatch is all that is available we can work with this.
  • How do you ensure the colours will be representative on-screen?
    A physical swatch is required to be compared with the on-screen image, our computer monitor screens are calibrated to D65 2° so that colours viewed on our screen are accurate to the fabric or other standard when compared with it. D65 2°is at the control centre point of screens therefore most screens are within a reasonable tolerance of it.
  • What happens if the colour looks different on my screen?
    Your monitor may have had its brightness or contrast turned up or down excessively, first try adjusting to a normal level. If there is still a problem your monitor can be calibrated by one of the devices available for this purpose, however it is worth remembering that the public will not calibrate their monitors.
  • Are there different image requirements if I need you to ‘map’ on a pattern?
    In order to map a design onto an image the image must be a good quality image with a high resolution. We must also know the actual size of the garment as it appears in the image.
  • Can you create the montages?
    Yes, to your design if required.

Call us to discuss your requirements.

  • Can you add new colours to one of my images that you recoloured in a previous season or even year?
    Yes, supply the new colours along with a reference to assist us with finding the correct image.
  • Do you create the Gif files or whatever it is we need to allow the images to change colour on our website?
    No, we supply the images to your web developer as Jpeg or Tiffs .

Fine Art Printing

ORDERING

  • Can I just have one copy of my image? Yes, one copy is fine. We do not have minimum print runs.
  • Is there a set-up fee? No. We do have any extra set-up costs.
  • What is the method payment? At present either by Cheque or BACS transfer. We will soon have the facility to make secure payment online.

FILE SIZE & TYPE

  • Which file formats are best for you to receive my image? Tiff files are best. Jpegs are also acceptable but they are, what are known as ‘lossy’. This means they will compress and disregard some of the image data contained within your picture. Tiff files do not throw away data during compressing; consequently, although they are larger files, they will preserve all the pixels in your original image.
  • What file resolution should I send my image? Use the highest setting on your the camera– superfine or the highest resolution offered by your camera.
  • Can you receive images created from graphics software such as Corel Draw? Yes, but please save your created artwork as a Tiff.
  • Can you work from film or negatives? No, we are strictly digital.

RESOLUTION AND SIZE GUIDELINES

  • What is the best resolution in which to supply my image? Please provide images created at 150 dpi or greater, the larger the better for printing large pictures.
  • How big can you print my image? As a general rule the largest size your image can be
    printed (in inches) can be determined by dividing the pixel height and width of your image by 100. For example if your image is 1200 pixels by 1600 pixels, then the maximum recommended size it can be printed is 12 inches by 16 inches, and a size smaller than this would be preferred to avoid pixelation.
  • How do I know if my image is suitable for Gallery Wrapping? If you require a Gallery Wrap and do not want to lose any of your image then please ALLOW an extra 2" (5cm) on each edge or request a 'mirrored edge' when ordering.
  • How will I know which parts of the image will appear around the sides of the Wrap? Why not request an emailed wrap proof to illustrate which parts of the image will appear on the front of thecanvas and which parts will appear on the sides.

    SENDING IMAGES TO COLOURMASTER
  • How can I send images to you? On Email, on a CD or DVD via the post or via a remote website www.yousendit.com. We will shortly have our own FTP (File Transfer Protocol System) facility.
  • Can I email my image to you? Yes it’s possible to submit images via email but remember most service providers set a limit to the size of file attachments that can be sent by email. At ColourMaster we have a 10mb limitation on receiving images. Your own limit may be smaller.
  • Can I save my image on a CD and mail it to you? Yes, of course, our address in on the contact page. We also have a downloadable order form. When sending your images on CD or DVD, please save the files as an uncompressed TIFF file.
  • Will you scan my image if I send it to you? Yes, please scan at a minimum of 150 pixels per inch but 300 pixels per inch is preferred. If you do not have scanner send your original print and we can scan it. This will be at no cost if it is part of a print order.
  • Do you scan from negatives? No, we do not offer that service.
  • Can I send you zipped files? No.
  • Do I need to crop my files to the correct size? No, that is not necessary as we can send you a ‘wrap proof’ to help you to visualise which parts of the image will appear on the front of the wrap and which parts will appear in the sides.  
  • Can I send my images in any colourspace? Yes, you can send files in any colourspace. If you intend to send images with the colour profile you are using it is important to embed that colour profile in your image.
  • What is the largest size you can print and mount? The largest canvas wrap we offer on a 20/24 mm frame is 40” x 60”. Using a 44 mm frame it is slightly smaller at 38” x 60”. NB - We can print 30” wide by up to 10 metres although anything above the sizes stated cannot be mounted or given a protective coat.
  • I have image which is not a standard size can this be created as a canvas wrap? Yes, we can offer any size, in whole inches, from around 8” up to 60”. So, in theory, we could produce an wrap 8” high by 60” wide, (although we've never been ask to produce one at that size, we could.)

PRINTING

  • What is a Gallery Wrapped Canvas? This means your image will be fully wrapped around the sides, top and bottom of the stretcher frames and fastened onto the back of the frame. This gives a three dimensional piece of art.
  • Are all images suitable for a gallery wrap? No, if your image has critical elements close to the sides it may not be suitable. Send your image and we will advise and also send you a ‘Wrap Proof’ which will show which parts of your image will appear on the front and which parts will appear on the sides.
  • What if my image cannot be gallery wrapped? Not all pictures are suitable for gallery wrapping. We will either use White or Black edges or a colour within the picture. We will send a  ‘Wrap Proof’ for your approval prior to printing.

IMAGE ENHANCEMENT

  • Will you correct any defects in my image at all? Yes, if there are any obvious faults which we see, such as dust marks or scratches on your image, we will send an email to ask if you wish these to be removed.
  • Do you offer any special affects? Yes, we can convert your image to Sepia and Black & White. We can also produce images with 'Spot Colour' (Colour Selection) and produce photographic effects such as 'Lumo Kompact' or 'Cross Processing'.
  • Do you sharpen the image I send? No, we do not sharpen any files. Total control of the image is with the photographer.
  • What is the best way to create a black and white print? There are several ways to create black and white. We normally use Channel Mixer in PhotoShop as this does not discard the information contained in the three separate channels of RGB. It is best not to transform to Greyscale as this will ‘throw away’ image data contained in the separate RGB channels and will affect the printed end result. We can convert your images to Black & white if you wish.
  • Can I have an image printed over several canvases? Yes, these are known as Diptychs, which is an image split over two pictures, Triptychs , this is split over three canvases and Polyptychs which is divided into four or more sections, or canvases .

Send your image to us and we can confirm suitability for splitting across more than one canvas. We will also send 'wrap proofs' to you by email for your approval.

PACKING & DESPATCH

  • What is the post & packing cost? There is fixed price for UK mainland - £10. Up to 4 canvas wraps to one delivery address.
  • How do you pack the canvas wraps? The stretched canvases are carefully wrapped and packed in bespoke cardboard boxes.
  • How do you send the images? All canvas wraps are despatched using an overnight courier. The package will require a signature upon delivery. If you are out when the courier calls he will leave a card and attempt to redeliver on another occasion. We are happy to deliver to an alternative address if specified before despatch.

CARING FOR YOUR CANVAS PRINT

  • Where is the best place to hang my canvas print? Ideally a stable cool dry environment is best for your canvas print.
  • Which places should I avoid? Canvas prints are for indoor use only and should not be exposed to any moisture. Avoid hanging or storing your canvas where it will be subject to significant temperature changes and humidity, e.g. a conservatory, basement, attic etc. Also do not place the canvas above or near a heat source, e.g. a radiator, gas or open fire etc.
  • What about sunlight? Do not place your canvas in direct sunlight or any other intense light source. Our canvas prints are lightfast under normal conditions but, although we add protection against fading, you will reduce the life span of your print if it is displayed in continuous, strong sunlight.
  • How should I transport my canvas? If it is necessary to transport your canvas prints, use a protective covering such as bubble-wrap, ensuring the corners are well protected as these can get damaged on impact.

CLEANING YOUR CANVAS

  • How should I clean my canvas? To remove dust from your canvas use a dry polish cloth and rub gently but do not rub your prints too hard or continuously in the same area. Do not use any spray or a damp cloth.
  • What should I avoid when cleaning my canvas? Do not touch the surface of the prints with your hands as you may transfer natural oils, which could affect the appearance of your prints. Do not use a damp or a wet cloth to clean your print.
  • What if my print gets wet? Gently dab with tissue or dry cloth and leave to dry. Avoid wiping.

FINE ART PRINTING - GENERAL INFORMATION

  • Do you print with Inkjets? Yes, we use wide-format inkjet printers.
  • What is Giclée? A fancy word, used by marketing people in the print industry, to make inkjet printing sound exciting. It is loosely taken from the French word giclée meaning 'squirt’. We use the term as the public accepts the terminology and also on the basis that if the food industry can call cold, dead, raw, fish by the name ‘sushi’ we can use the term, ‘giclée’ to market ‘inkjet printing’.
  • What is your returns policy? We do not offer a guarantee but talk to us in the unlikely event you have issues with your finished print.