A lightjet print is also known as a digital C print.  It is a photographic print made from a digital file.  The lightjet printing device exposes the photographic paper with RGB lasers from a spinning mirror (there is no lens).   This exposed photo paper is then traditionally photo processed.

What are the distinct advantages of lightjet prints?

• It is the gold standard for the highest apparent resolution of 4,000 DPI offering extremely fine detail (with no visible dots nor film grain) with this continuous tone print.
  
• Vast color gamut potential, as the 24 or 36-bit color can offer 16 million colors versus the traditional 8-color inkjet only offering small numbers of colors.  And using lasers offers a higher Dmax, therefore offering greater contrast control, especially within the shadows.
  
• The printing device uses a “round imaging dot” to maintain edge to edge sharpness on the final print.  The technology of the printer allows for a dimensionally consistent round imaging dot across the entire print.
  
• The photo emulsion of archival photo paper is significantly more stable than inks or dyes; therefore offering greater longevity than most.
  

Who would be interested in aquiring a lightjet print? Anyone interested in a high resolution output from their digital files would desire this type of print. These prints are  superior in sharpness, offer saturated colors, have excellent contrast control, are of archival quality and have a longevity beyond other prints.  The consumer of this type of print might be museums, professional photographers & artists, architectural firms, advertisiing agencies, trade show exhibits and anyone who cares about the best resolution in the final print.

When would I have seen a lightjet print before? You may have seen prints like these hanging on the walls of museums, architectural firms, law offices, advertising agencies, historical agencies, trade shows, and anywhere that high resolution detail matters.

Why would I ever want to have a lightjet print made of my product or service?  You would want to have a lightjet print provided whenever there a need to display meticulous sharp detail of your digital image.  This could be for professional requirements for a job or exhibit, or it could be because it is your personal standard to get the most out of your digital files.

Where do I go to acquire a lightjet print?  There are a limited number of lightjet printers in the U.S. since the printer device is no longer being manufactured.  Lightjet prints, however, continue to be actively produced! Check Photoworks Creative Group for more details.

photo credit: localnightclubs.org