Flow Lab provides specialist photographic printing and imaging services for artists, photographers, publishers and institutions.
Print Making
Carbon Archival Prints
Flow introduced a new approach to black and white printing in 2016, combining traditional methods with modern technology. These prints feature deep shadows, smooth highlights, and exceptional longevity. They are exclusive to Flow Photographic.
Flow Specialisms
We offer exclusive printing techniques, including Carbon Archival Prints and ‘Kodachrome’ LED backlit prints. Contact us to discuss your project.
Carbon Archival Printing
Flow produces high-quality inkjet prints with great attention to detail. Founder Alex Schneideman has also developed a new black and white process using modern technology and handmade papers. Printed on uncoated paper, these works have rich blacks, subtle highlights, and a natural, organic feel.
LED Lightboxes
Our backlit prints recreate the look of illuminated ‘Kodachrome’ transparencies, with strong blacks and vivid colour. They are slim, dimmable, energy-efficient, and can be used as both display and light source.
Jetrix Printing
UV LED printing onto a wide range of surfaces, including stone, metal, glass, wood, plastic, and Perspex. Durable, weather-resistant, and suitable for many applications.
Inkjet Prints
A versatile, archival method using pigment inks on coated paper for precision and clarity. We advise on paper choice and produce everything from single prints to large editions.
Inkjet Printing
Also known as Giclée, this process uses pigment inks on coated papers to prevent spread and preserve detail. Archival quality depends on pigment inks and acid-free papers, often made from cotton.
Papers
We stock a wide range of fine art papers, all custom calibrated. Other options available on request.
Equipment & Calibration
We use Epson printers with Ultrachrome HDR inks and calibrated monitors. For best results, supply high-quality TIFF or PSD files and follow our calibration guidance.
Silver Gelatin Prints
Traditional black and white darkroom prints, produced with Robin Bell to museum standards.
Super Chromagenic Prints
A contemporary colour process with the rich, luminous quality of Cibachrome.
Framing
Flow has its own framing workshop, offering expert advice on mounting, framing, and display. From single pieces to full exhibitions, we provide high-quality solutions. We also offer exhibition curation, helping you plan and present your work. This includes print selection, framing choices, installation, display, and marketing materials.
Diasec Mounting
A licensed process that mounts prints to aluminium and seals them with Perspex using the original Swiss-developed Diasec method.
Archival Dry Mounting
Mounting prints to rigid substrates using stable materials that won’t degrade, while allowing safe removal of the original print.
Foamcore and Foamex Mounting
A cost-effective option for displays and signage. We can work alongside you to get the best from your exhibition, with curation costs often included within printing. Feel free to get in touch to discuss your project.
Other Services
Flow supports clients across a wide range of imaging services, from art copying to publishing and book design, helping you navigate technical processes with ease.
Artwork Copying
We provide a full art and print copying service using scanning or photographic flat copying as appropriate. Damaged or aged prints can also be restored.
Book Publishing
We can help you take the first steps towards publishing your work in book form.
Short Run Digital Book Design
We specialise in designing and producing books for single or small print runs. Using modern digital methods, we create high-quality, beautifully bound books.
Medium to Long Run Litho Printing and Book Design
For larger publishing projects, we offer end-to-end support, including layout and design, proofing, prepress and CMYK conversion, match prints, and print management. We work closely with designers, prepress specialists, and leading litho printers to guide you through the process.
Printers
We use a range of Epson printers with Ultrachrome HDR pigment inks.
Monitors
Spectraview Multiscan Reference monitors in various sizes.
Monitor Calibration
For best results, set your monitor to 100CDT at 5600K and export using Adobe 1998 colour space.
Print File Quality
For most prints up to A3+, an 8-bit TIFF or flattened PSD around 50MB is sufficient. For heavy retouching, use 16-bit files. Please flatten files unless agreed otherwise, and review images in Monitor RGB before sending.
Paper Calibration
Export files without embedded paper profiles. All our papers use custom profiles that are regularly updated.