In the heart of North Cornwall, Southgate Studios has built a reputation as a family-run business dedicated to supporting the artistic community. For years, they have offered a niche but essential service: capturing and reproducing fine art to the highest possible standards.
Phil, who runs the studio, explains: “We offer a full reproduction service, from digital capture to giclée printing, digital greeting card reproduction as well as a fully bespoke framing service.”
This blend of services has made Southgate Studios a trusted partner for local artists. But as demand grew and technology evolved, Phil began to re-evaluate the way they captured artwork for reproduction.
The Shift to Scanning
For over a decade, the studio relied on high-resolution digital photography, using a carefully controlled studio environment. It worked well, but upgrading to the next level of photographic equipment came with a hefty price tag.
Phil recalls, “We were considering upgrading our digital camera equipment to medium format, but with the significant cost and related upgrade of extra equipment we looked at a scanning option. After some serious consideration and a demonstration of the WideTEK 25 scanner, with the guidance of PermaJet we decided to take the plunge and switch to a scan-only option.”
It was a bold move – shifting away from a workflow they had perfected over 12 years – but one that quickly paid off.
Day-to-Day Impact
Although Phil admits there was initial scepticism, the advantages of the WideTEK were immediately clear.
“We were initially quite sceptical as we had been photographing artwork for over 12 years, but it was immediately evident that we had made the right decision. Straight away it became unmistakable that our workflow was going to be dramatically improved. Colour accuracy has been significantly improved – colour correction is always a lengthy and subjective skill set. The new scanner has been absolutely spot-on with very minor corrections even on some of the most testing artwork. Scanning resolution is where the scanner significantly outguns DSLR capture. And to top it all, the 3D function is all at the change of a setting. Capturing a 3D effect in a studio lighting setting with DSLR capture is a time consuming and somewhat hit and miss task.” What once required painstaking adjustments in post-production was now happening almost instantly. The scanner delivered speed, precision, and consistency that freed up valuable time for other parts of the business.
Client Reactions
For customers, the change has been just as transformative. Artists visiting the studio can now see their work scanned and proofed while they wait – something that was simply not possible before.
“Having accurate colours and rapid scan times allows us to scan and proof artwork while the customer waits. This really impresses clients, and we have found that clients order more when they see the finished product coming off the printer. Having mothballed our studio, we now have an integrated scanner table that allows us to scan large paintings with minimal fuss.”
This ability to provide an immediate, tangible result not only delights existing clients but also encourages larger orders and word-of-mouth referrals in the tightly knit art community.
Perfect Pairing with Canon and PermaJet Papers
Alongside the scanner, Southgate Studios invested in a Canon PRO-4600 printer, combining it with PermaJet fine art papers to achieve the best possible reproduction quality.
“We also invested in a Canon PRO-4600 printer at the same time, printing on PermaJet papers (Portrait Rag 305 is our best-selling!).”
This integration has created a seamless workflow from scan to print – and the results speak for themselves.
Business Growth and ROI
Within just two months, the benefits were already visible in the bottom line. The combination of speed, accuracy, and quality meant that projects which previously took hours could now be completed in a fraction of the time.
“We can honestly say that after 2 months we have increased throughput significantly. The quality of the scans has been phenomenal and the giclée prints coming off the printers are superb. A good example was a recent request to scan 40 pieces for an upcoming exhibition. All done in one hour!”
For a small business, the return on investment is crucial, and Phil is confident the WideTEK will pay for itself quickly.
“A significant investment but for us will be returned very soon – the actual scanning fees as well as the considerable time savings will be significant.”
Just as importantly, the move has boosted Southgate Studios’ reputation. “Our existing clients are blown away, and we have seen a significant increase in new artists enquiring and using our services. The art world is a close-knit community, and word travels rapidly, offering this upgraded service, and the 3D possibility has upped our profile significantly.”
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Want to see how the WideTEK could transform your business? Call to book a demo with PermaJet and experience the difference for yourself.
