Topic: A tour through my new print studio (Read 6989 times)

neile · « **on:** January 21, 2011, 10:11:42 am »

I finally got around last night to writing up a little tour through my new print studio. My wife and I remodeled our house over the last three months, and one of the projects was finding dedicated space for my printing and folio cover business.

I figured people here might be interested in seeing how it turned out, and some of the solutions I came up with for lighting, print viewing, and storage.

http://www.ronmartblog.com/2011/01/tour-of-neils-print-studio.html

Enjoy!

Neil

dgberg · « **Reply #1 on:** January 21, 2011, 10:34:25 am »

Neil,
Very nice,thanks for sharing.
You know this is how it starts. Before you know it you are knocking out walls and building out the back.

Aristoc · « **Reply #2 on:** January 21, 2011, 11:05:13 am »

That's a beautiful workspace. You are so lucky to have something like that where you probably spend a lot of time. Really like the galvanized steel with magenets print viewer. Very cool.

I would suggest getting a miele expresso machine in there also and a small fridge

Just wondering why you are using 4700 K lights ?

Thanks for posting , it's nice to see other people workspaces. Will post mine too soon.

neile · « **Reply #3 on:** January 21, 2011, 11:09:24 am »

There's a Keurig downstairs for coffee (although I don't drink it that much) and a full fridge in the kitchen. That's one of the advantages of having the studio be in the house

I'm running 4700k lights because they're "D50" according to Solux, similar to what you find in the high-end print viewing booths that I can't afford!

Neil

Rob Reiter · « **Reply #4 on:** January 21, 2011, 12:18:37 pm »

Great looking little space, Neil. Isn't it fun to actually design the space to fit your needs rather than make do with a hodge-podge of legacy cabinets, multi-height tables and dubious light fixtures?

Although I like my sheet metal hanging wall, when I decide I can make do without it for a week, I think I'll take it down and have one side sand blasted and maybe powder coat the other side. Both options should cost about $50 each and will greatly help the glare. Finger prints, too, become a problem after a while with the raw steel.

I like your pin magnets. The only ones I found were multi-colored, so your link to Mr. Super Magnet Man is a good find. Although I'm more than happy with my little magnetic B-Bs; they win for unobtrusive cuteness!

I tried the Solux 4700K lights but decided the look was too cold for my gallery and opted for the 3500K bulbs, instead. Did you read the Solux "White paper" on bulb temperature and people's response to viewing artwork? Of course, since I have a goodly amount of north light coming into my studio, that and the warmer Solux bulbs probably average out to around 4700K...

Hope the 8300 is worth the real estate it occupies. I certainly love mine. My old Cibachrome lab is just a dim memory and that's fine by me.

Tim Gray · « **Reply #5 on:** January 21, 2011, 12:19:51 pm »

Enjoyed the walkthrough...

On a somewhat unrelated note, just wondering inf 11x14 portfolio covers are still out of the question due to limitations of the embossing/cutting machine you contract out to???

neile · « **Reply #6 on:** January 21, 2011, 12:29:57 pm »

Quote from: Rob Reiter on January 21, 2011, 12:18:37 pm

Although I like my sheet metal hanging wall, when I decide I can make do without it for a week, I think I'll take it down and have one side sand blasted and maybe powder coat the other side. Both options should cost about $50 each and will greatly help the glare. Finger prints, too, become a problem after a while with the raw steel.

I'm considering something similar, but I was just going to take it down and hit it with a couple of cans of Rustoleum in a neutral colour. Glare is definitely a bit of an issue, as can you can tell from the photos.

Quote from: Rob Reiter on January 21, 2011, 12:18:37 pm

I tried the Solux 4700K lights but decided the look was too cold for my gallery and opted for the 3500K bulbs, instead. Did you read the Solux "White paper" on bulb temperature and people's response to viewing artwork? Of course, since I have a goodly amount of north light coming into my studio, that and the warmer Solux bulbs probably average out to around 4700K...

I have some 3500k bulbs as well, from the previous lighting setup in the room. I may very well swap out to them, I'm trying both to see which I prefer.

Neil

neile · « **Reply #7 on:** January 21, 2011, 12:31:04 pm »

Quote from: Tim Gray on January 21, 2011, 12:19:51 pm

On a somewhat unrelated note, just wondering inf 11x14 portfolio covers are still out of the question due to limitations of the embossing/cutting machine you contract out to???

The machine can handle it but I'm still not sure if I can find parent sheets big enough to hold the layout. Will need to do some digging!

Neil

Light Seeker · « **Reply #8 on:** January 21, 2011, 01:49:45 pm »

Quote from: neile on January 21, 2011, 12:29:57 pm

I have some 3500k bulbs as well, from the previous lighting setup in the room. I may very well swap out to them, I'm trying both to see which I prefer.

I've also seen 4300K recommended. I'm curious to see what you settle on, so please update the thread when you've made a decision.

You put together a great room. Thanks for taking the time to document it all.

Terry.

Sven W · « **Reply #9 on:** January 21, 2011, 02:08:54 pm »

Here are some images from my printstudio at the
other end of the pond, in Stockholm, Sweden. Maybe a little bit bigger, but we have build all by ourselves.

Talking about light; we use JustNormlicht 5000K calibrated tubes, but also some Solux at our desks.
And of course a magnetic board ! You can see it to the left in the third image.

/Sven

Alan Goldhammer · « **Reply #10 on:** January 21, 2011, 02:25:24 pm »

Of course you realize that you are making all of us who are consigned to a corner of a family room and a utility room jealous with envy!

Anyway both yours and Swen's rooms look great. Now if I can only convince my wife that I need the entire downstairs for a print room!!!

abiggs · « **Reply #11 on:** January 21, 2011, 02:40:04 pm »

I have found the Solux 3500 degree bulbs work best for me, as all other bulbs are not warm enough. The 4700 is scorching white to my eyes, but then again I am trying to match other light sources in my environment (table lamps).

Aristoc · « **Reply #12 on:** January 21, 2011, 04:08:52 pm »

Here is my studio. When this second bedroom needs to be used, the printer is taken out and put into another room (aka the basement aka the cellar).

neile · « **Reply #13 on:** January 21, 2011, 04:20:24 pm »

I love it Aristoc! Thanks for sharing.

Neil

AFairley · « **Reply #14 on:** January 21, 2011, 05:26:52 pm »

Quote from: Aristoc on January 21, 2011, 04:08:52 pm

Here is my studio. When this second bedroom needs to be used, the printer is taken out and put into another room (aka the basement aka the cellar).

And moving even futher down the food chain, here's mine.

(At least I never have to put the printer in the garage)

To the OP, beautiful studio, it must be a real pleasure to have such a space to work in.

neile · « **Reply #15 on:** January 21, 2011, 06:35:18 pm »

I have to admit, you have a very nice window out to the yard! Mine looks out over the neighbours, who have cars up on cement blocks...

Gemmtech · « **Reply #16 on:** January 21, 2011, 10:27:14 pm »

Neile, it look real nice. I do like a machine whore like Dan Berg who is like me, buy every machine made!

Farmer · « **Reply #17 on:** January 21, 2011, 11:11:08 pm »

Very nice studio, Neil - thanks for sharing (and to the others who are sharing, too!)

Aristoc · « **Reply #18 on:** January 22, 2011, 08:25:23 am »

I just noticed....Is that a sword with a pull cord hanging right over the kitchen sink ? Who does the dishes ?

keith_cooper · « **Reply #19 on:** January 22, 2011, 02:24:43 pm »

This used to be my old darkroom :-)

Not where I take clients ;-)

Author Topic: A tour through my new print studio (Read 6989 times)