Guide for Digital Prints

Recommended Printers

We highly recommend outsourcing the printing job to a dedicated print shop, even if you have a color printer at home. 

There are many places, both online and in the real word, to have your art professionally printed. Online printers will require you to upload the image file for your art and wait for it to be delivered. They sometimes offer a greater variety of papers and printing options. Brick and mortar shops may require you to bring in your image file on a memory card or flash drive. They can sometimes have your print ready for pickup the same day, though you'll want to check the specific processing times for the printer you choose.

Here are some of our favorites:

Online Shopping
Brick & Mortar Print Shops

Paper & Substrate Choices

One of the most important choices you will make regarding your digital artwork is what type of paper or substrate to use. The selection will vary based on what the printer you choose has to offer, but here are some commonly available options:

Substrate
Description
Luster Paper
Satin-finish photographic paper with excellent saturated color. Most photographic papers are high-quality to last a lifetime. This is likely the most cost-effective option with the widest availability among printers.
Glossy Paper
Glossy-finish photographic paper typically produces glorious, crisp prints. High-quality to last a lifetime.
Matte Paper
Matte paper has the least amount of shine, but the definition of matte paper varies by printer. Some offer matte prints on card stock, others print matte prints on a museum-quality fine art paper. 
Silk Paper
A delicate paper than lends a vintage feel to your artwork.
Metallic Paper
Metallic or pearl paper offer depth and dramatic visual impact due to their unique sheen.
Canvas
Canvas provides a subtly textured substrate for your art. Have the canvas mounted on matboard to be preserved in a frame, or opt for gallery wrap canvas for frameless presentation. 
Metal
Artwork is infused into the specially treated metal surface. Offers an incredible level of detail and color.

Colors

Colors may vary slightly due to differences in monitors and printers, and variations can be more pronounced when using third-party print shops. In fact, you could get a sample print from each of our favorite print shops shown above, and the colors would be a little different in each one. The difference in color is usually minute and falls within the range of acceptable. However, if the colors are not to your liking, you will need to work directly with your chosen print shop to have the colors adjusted as needed.

Sizing

The completed digital file you receive from Kin and Caboodle will measure the full size of the print at 300 pixels per inch. Since your art contains text, it is important not to print the art at a larger size as it will make the words less crisp. It is possible to shrink a print to a smaller size without losing quality. 

File Types

Your digital art file will be sent as a high quality JPG since that format is the most widely accepted by third parties. Upon request, we can also provide a flattened TIF or PNG.

Support

Those purchasing digital prints should have experience in downloading, uploading and resizing digital image files. If you are not comfortable with digital downloads and file management, we offer an add-on print service that will deliver your print right to your doorstep! 

Please review our frequently asked questions and digital use license, and don't hesitate to reach out to us if you have questions or need assistance.