DIVINEMETHOD DIARIES

What I've learned about printing for competitions in the last 2 years

I've spent countless hours over the last two years researching about papers, printers and the whole art of printmaking for competitions.  I've had pretty good luck so far, sent in 4 prints and had 3 hang on the wall at WPPI on my first year, and similarly had 4 more wins last year.  Went from member to Associate and I was pretty happy.  But its time to step up the game.  The difference between a good print and a great print really comes down to the finer details.  This is what I've learned from research and watching the judging for the last two years.  

I wanted to put together everything I've learned in a blog post, including but not limited to: 

1. Choosing the right images for print competition, especially WPPI 16x20 print competition.  
2. Should you outsource to the "Master Printmakers"?
3. The printing process as I know it. 
4. So many paper choices, how do I pick the best paper for my print competition print?  Does it even matter? 
5. Expert advice -- I had the privilege of speaking with some of the judges and Masters of WPPI, and what they had to say about the competition.  
6. Overall observations...

That's quite a lot of stuff, and I've been writing this entry for a while now, but I am a master procrastinator so I am obviously going to finish it 2 days before the deadline to submit your prints so it may or may not be useful to you.  I hope it is.  Stay tuned!