And Why It Makes a Bigger Difference Than Most People Realize
At French Broad Imaging, this is one of the most common things we hear:
“It looks great on my phone… I just want it to look good in print.”
And honestly, that’s the perfect place to start the conversation.
Because here’s something most people don’t realize until they see it for themselves:
A photo that looks great on a screen does not automatically look great in print.
That’s not a flaw.
That’s just how printing works.
Screens and Prints Are Not the Same Thing
Phones, tablets, and computers are designed to make images look their best.
They add brightness.
They boost contrast.
They smooth out imperfections.
Printing does the opposite.
A printed photo shows everything—the detail, the color accuracy, the sharpness, and sometimes the flaws. That’s not a bad thing. In fact, it’s what makes a well-printed image feel real and tangible.
When a photo is prepared correctly, printing brings depth, texture, and life that a screen never can.
What Actually Determines Print Quality
One of the biggest misconceptions we see is that print quality comes down to having a high-end printer.
It doesn’t.
Great print quality comes from:
-
Choosing the right paper for the image
-
Understanding how color shifts from screen to print
-
Knowing the true resolution of a file
-
Preparing the image properly before printing
-
Taking time instead of rushing the process
We’ve seen beautiful photos ruined by low-quality paper and poor file prep.
We’ve also seen average photos look stunning when printed thoughtfully.
The difference is experience.
Why This Matters More Than Ever
Most people aren’t printing hundreds of photos anymore.
They’re printing the important ones.
A family portrait.
A wedding photo.
An old photograph that’s been sitting in a drawer for years.
Artwork they poured their heart into.
A memory they don’t want to lose.
When something carries that kind of meaning, quality matters.
Printing isn’t just about putting ink on paper.
It’s about preserving a moment.
What We Do Differently at French Broad Imaging
At French Broad Imaging, located inside Texture Gallery at 1516 Patton Avenue in Asheville, we approach printing differently.
We don’t start with “What size do you want?”
We start with:
-
What is this image meant to feel like?
-
Where will it be displayed?
-
How long do you want it to last?
-
Is this for personal use, artwork, or archival purposes?
Because sometimes the best solution is
-
Fine art paper
-
A different finish than expected
-
Color correction before printing
-
Restoration or cleanup
-
Custom framing to protect the print long-term
We specialize in:
-
Professional photo printing
-
Fine art printing
-
Photo restoration
-
Scanning and archiving old photos, slides, and negatives
-
Color-matched artwork reproduction
-
Custom framing
Our goal isn’t just to print your image.
It’s to help you create something you’re proud to display.
A Final Thought
If you’ve ever picked up a print and thought,
“This isn’t what I expected.”
You’re not alone.
It usually doesn’t mean your photo was bad.
It usually means the process wasn’t right.
That’s where we come in.
If you have a photo you care about—whether it’s new, old, digital, or damaged—we’re happy to take a look and walk you through the best options.
📍 French Broad Imaging
Inside Texture Gallery
1516 Patton Ave, Asheville, NC
Because some images deserve more than just a quick print.
Add comment
Comments