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We offer printing tailored to the client's objective, from standard printing based on Japan Color to high-density color tones unique to SunM Color. In art printing, we pursue rich expression with high density and broad dynamic range, striving for deep darks and vivid hues. We embrace the challenge of printing beauty that exceeds the capabilities of standard printing.
In the four decades since our founding, SunM Color has cultivated an extensive track record, driven by our passion to contribute to artistic expression. We are engaged in a wide range of activities, including printing exhibition catalogs and collections of artists' works, producing new works by artists, and archiving/reproduction of cultural properties. Feel free to reach out to us for a consultation.
At SunM Color, we are highly regarded for our impactful, high-density offset printing, and our versatile ability to respond to client needs. We offer screening tailored to each objective—from ordinary AM screening, to FM screening and ultra-high-definition methods suitable for art printing. We are adept at handling special inks, like spot colors and wide color gamut ink, and proficient in printing on thin paper, non-woven fabric, and film for plastic file holders.
Sun Excel Art (Printing 8K)®—our company's flagship technology—is a unique, ultra-high-definition printing technology developed by SunM Color for art printing. Despite using only four colors, this technique achieves remarkable definition and color vividness, surpassing the capabilities of ordinary offset printing, and fully capturing the original allure of an image. It is frequently used for printed media such as exhibition catalogs and photo collections where there is a premium on aesthetic appeal and faithful reproduction of artistic works.
The screen ruling (fineness) of ordinary offset printing is 175 lpi, while ordinary high-definition printing equates to 280 lpi. In comparison, Sun Excel Art achieves a fineness equivalent to 1000 lpi, and thus is commonly called "1000-line". Printing is done with dots so tiny they're imperceptible to the naked eye. This enables meticulous reproduction of details beyond the reach of ordinary printing methods.
DUMB TYPE the 59th International Art Exhibition, La Biennale di Venezia Japan Pavilion Exhibition
DUMB TYPE the 59th International Art Exhibition, La Biennale di Venezia Japan Pavilion Exhibition
The screen ruling (fineness) of ordinary offset printing is 175 lpi, while ordinary high-definition printing equates to 280 lpi. In comparison, Sun Excel Art achieves a fineness equivalent to 1000 lpi, and thus is commonly called "1000-line". Printing is done with dots so tiny they're imperceptible to the naked eye. This enables meticulous reproduction of details beyond the reach of ordinary printing methods.
At the size of ordinary half-tone dots, the area where dots overlap each other increases, and colors get mixed up. Sun Excel Art sets itself apart by finely layering ink on tiny dots, thereby reducing the risk of color blending and dot deterioration. By combining rich color and high density for a wide dynamic range, Sun Excel Art enables expression with three-dimensionality and definition beyond ordinary printing capabilities.
At the size of ordinary half-tone dots, the area where dots overlap each other increases, and colors get mixed up. Sun Excel Art sets itself apart by finely layering ink on tiny dots, thereby reducing the risk of color blending and dot deterioration. By combining rich color and high density for a wide dynamic range, Sun Excel Art enables expression with three-dimensionality and definition beyond ordinary printing capabilities.
Even with proper equipment and advanced technology, achieving a good print requires the expertise and keen eye of dedicated individuals. We deliver printing meeting the highest standards by leveraging the craftsmanship of highly-experienced printing directors and operators, making optimal adjustments for each artwork.
Even with proper equipment and advanced technology, achieving a good print requires the expertise and keen eye of dedicated individuals. We deliver printing meeting the highest standards by leveraging the craftsmanship of highly-experienced printing directors and operators, making optimal adjustments for each artwork.
About Registered Trademarks
"Sun Excel Art (Printing 8K)®" is a registered trademark of SunM Color. Through years of research by three companies—SunM Color, SCREEN Graphic and Precision Solutions, Ltd., and Fujifilm Global Graphic Systems—we jointly developed this new technology, positioning ourselves as leaders in Japan and the global arena. The aim was to accurately reproduce the original saturation and detail of images.
Shiho Yoshida “Surveying｜Mountain”
Photo collections are another focus of SunM Color. We are dedicated to enhancing the vividness of color photos and achieving rich gradations in monochrome photos. For example, in scenarios where one ink color isn't sufficient for expressing gradations, we turn to monochrome expression employing an overlay of multiple plates. By adding gray plates to achieve double-tone or triple-tone, we can express richer gradations, and approach the ideal tone. We also offer SunM Color's unique technology "Graset FM®", developed to render jet black surpassing traditional offset printing, and rich monochrome with depth.
Graset FM is a technology that allows the delicate expressiveness of photogravure to be reproduced with offset. Photogravure printing, which utilizes a plate with finely engraved indentations in metal, enables expression of subtle shading and realization of an ink texture with thickness. At SunM Color, we realize a dense, thick build-up of ink and delicate expression rivaling photogravure—by using FM screening (which enables smooth variation in color) and plates in multiple layers.
Hideko Hosoe “21st Century EditionBa-ra-kei: Ordeal by Roses“
Hideko Hosoe “21st Century EditionBa-ra-kei: Ordeal by Roses“
Graset FM is a technology that allows the delicate expressiveness of photogravure to be reproduced with offset. Photogravure printing, which utilizes a plate with finely engraved indentations in metal, enables expression of subtle shading and realization of an ink texture with thickness. At SunM Color, we realize a dense, thick build-up of ink and delicate expression rivaling photogravure—by using FM screening (which enables smooth variation in color) and plates in multiple layers.
About Registered Trademarks
"Graset FM® " is a registered trademark of SunM Color. Graset FM reproduces the texture of photogravure through offset printing by using our unique method.
Matsuyama Tomokazu "TOMOKAZU MATSUYAMA:Boom Bye Bye Pain"
FM screening is a platemaking method that employs a pseudo-random arrangement of tiny dots, unlike conventional half-tone dots, which are arranged in a regular pattern. Shades of light and dark in the image are represented by dot density. This prevents moiré effects, and allows expression of fine details and rich hues, making the method suitable for printing art books and photo collections, albeit with printing management challenges. At SunM Color, we achieve stable printing with FM screening thanks to our technical capabilities and extensive experience.
