Fine Art Printing for Exhibitions: 5 Steps to Get Gallery Wall Ready

Specialist fine art printing is a non-negotiable for gallery exhibitions – which require exquisite detail, colour reproduction, and prints that are going to last without fading or deteriorating. 

Getting ready for an exhibition requires a lot of thought, and isn’t as easy as choosing your files and pressing “print” – but we’re here to help! 

Here’s how to get exhibition ready print in five stress-free steps. 

Image credit: Unsplash

Step 1: Understanding what “exhibition-quality” actually means

When art is going to be exhibited in a gallery, it needs to be printed to the highest quality with longevity in mind. While regular printing is ideal for day-to-day items like Leaflets or Invitations, fine art printing, also known as Giclée, uses inkjet technology and archival pigment inks to achieve exceptional colour accuracy and longevity. 

Exhibition-quality print needs to have the following at the forefront:

• Colour accuracy: Faithful reproduction of the original artwork’s colours for a true to life representation that lasts.
• Archival longevity: Materials and colours must resist fading for long-term display.
• Surface quality: The texture and finish should complement the artwork. 

Giclée printing is best suited for fine art reproductions and limited-edition prints – if it’s going on a gallery wall, Giclée is the right choice.

Step 2: Preparing digital files for fine art printing

File preparation is where most issues start, but also where you have the most control. A well-prepared file makes a huge difference to the finished print.

Resolution

Set your file to at least 300 DPI (dots per inch) at the intended print size.

Colour mode

While CMYK is usually our recommendation, RGB colour mode is better for Giclée fine art printing. RGB (Red, Green and Blue) offers a wider range than CMYK (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow and Black), giving our professional inkjet printers more colour information to work with. Using a 7-colour archival inks, they can reproduce brighter, more lifelike colours from RGB. 

Step 3: Choosing the paper for your gallery exhibition

The substrate you choose shapes how your artwork feels and how long it lasts. Here’s a quick breakdown of the fine art and photography papers we offer at Printed.com: 

Fine Art Papers

Canson Cotton: A 100% cotton paper crafted using cylinder mould techniques for a superb texture. This archival paper has a vibrant inkjet coating making it perfect for digital fine art prints, illustrations, and watercolour reproductions. 

Hahnemühle Bamboo: A natural paper with a slight surface texture and subtle pearl sheen. Made from 90% bamboo fibres and 10% cotton to the highest industry standards regarding colour gamut and image sharpness. 

Hahnemühle German Etching: An acid-free, natural white fine art paper with a lightly textured matt finish – ideal for fine art prints and illustrations. 

Hahnemühle Photo Rag Pearl: The perfect choice for black and white or colour photography prints. It’s made from 100% cotton and finished with a unique pearl coating that reduces shine to improve the look of light and shadows. 

Hahnemühle German Etching

Photo Papers

Epson Premium Luster: This paper has a dense texture and vibrant finish ideal for photography prints. The reduced surface shine makes it perfect for exhibition, and the resin coated base gives maximum ink coverage. 

Kodak Photographic Gloss: This paper is perfect for vivid coloured prints and dynamic black and white photography. The glossy texture and silky finish are ideal for displaying statement photographic prints. 

Polyester Canvas: With a subtly textured surface, our white Polyester Canvas makes photography and illustrative work look bold and rich. 

A good guide is to match your paper to the original medium:

• For paintings: Textured papers like Hahnemühle German Etching and Canson Cotton mimic the feel of traditional art papers.
• For photography: Lustre or glossy papers that deliver gallery-standard, crisp detail – like Epson Premium Luster or Kodak Photographic Gloss. 
• For mixed media: An all-rounder paper that offers versatility without taking away from the artwork. 

If you’re unsure which substrate suits your work, request a Sample Pack of our Photography and Fine Art options before committing to a full print run. Get up close and personal with our papers: seeing and feeling the options in person is always the best way to decide.

Step 4: Framing and display considerations

Now you’ve got your prints sorted, it’s time to make sure they’re ready for exhibition. 

At Printed.com, we have Wall Frames that are up to the task. They’re handmade in the UK and designed with features that make them perfect for exhibition:

• Crafted with FSC-certified obeche wood.
• Available in a range of finishes, including classic oak and black grain. 
• Premium plexiglass that provides UV protection, scratch resistance, and crystal-clear clarity. 
• Includes dry mounting as standard on A1 and A2 frames, and on smaller sizes via our Bespoke Service, to help prevent warping.
• They’re sent securely packaged with a crumple zone suspension system to ensure they arrive safely and ready for display. 
• Available in sizes A5 to A1, and 300mm x 300mm. However, if you need a different size, our Bespoke Service can help get the perfect dimensions for your exhibition. 

Remember your frames should complement the artwork without overpowering it. Try and keep your display consistent throughout the exhibition and allow the art to do the talking! 

Step 5: Final checks before the exhibition

Once your prints arrive, there are a few important checks to run through before they go on the gallery wall.

Inspect in good light: Check each print under natural daylight or a daylight-balanced lamp. Look for banding, colour casts, or any damage from transit.

Handle with care: Always handle prints with clean hands or cotton gloves. No one wants to see fingerprints! 

Store extras correctly: If you have additional prints from the run, store them flat where possible, away from direct light, heat, and humidity.

Once you’ve checked everything off, your prints are ready for the gallery wall.

Get exhibition-ready with Giclée fine art printing at Printed.com

You’ve got your pieces, now it’s time to make it real. Our Giclée Fine Art Prints are the perfect choice for exhibitions thanks to archival nks and paper, and the expert care of our team at the helm of our specialist Giclée printers. 

Discover Giclée printing at Printed.com today. Can’t find exactly what you need? Our Bespoke Service is here to help, with custom sizing options to help you find the perfect fit for your gallery.