Hello there! I’m AgentExeider, and today I’m here to bring you the review
of a very wonderful (and very exclusive) piece of artwork called “Summer in
Zootopia” by Byron Howard! This is a limited edition of only 200 prints, each hand-signed and certified as genuine.
of a very wonderful (and very exclusive) piece of artwork called “Summer in
Zootopia” by Byron Howard! This is a limited edition of only 200 prints, each hand-signed and certified as genuine.
As of writing this they are still on sale from Cyclops Printworks, and you can order your own by following the link here!
Be warned- with a price tag of $200 for the print, along with the cost of a good frame and (if you really want to make sure it lasts) preservation treatment, this item can end up costing you between $300 – $500.
That said, it’s a print from BYRON HOWARD, signed by the man himself, that you get to keep forever! In my opinion that’s worth almost any price.
Check out the rest of my review after the break, along with a bit of background into what makes a Serigraph so special compared to other prints!
The print itself was made using Serigraph printing, and is hand signed by Byron Howard, the ink was spot varnished to keep it from running, bleeding or flaking. Though you still probably shouldn’t touch the ink regardless and should have it framed as soon as possible after getting it.
The serigraph itself is printed on Strongstuff 320 gsm
(grams per square meter) paper. The 320 represents the “weight” of the paper
and at 320 gsm, the paper is practically card stock. It still folds and rolls
unlike card stock, but it’s almost there. It has 23 brilliant colors
(photographs shown do not do the print any justice, the colors are simply lush.)
and is 24 inches by 18 inches. The printing itself done by Eclipse Workshop and the print is officially licensed by Disney.
(grams per square meter) paper. The 320 represents the “weight” of the paper
and at 320 gsm, the paper is practically card stock. It still folds and rolls
unlike card stock, but it’s almost there. It has 23 brilliant colors
(photographs shown do not do the print any justice, the colors are simply lush.)
and is 24 inches by 18 inches. The printing itself done by Eclipse Workshop and the print is officially licensed by Disney.
At two feet wide and one and a half feet long, the print has a heavier and rougher feeling than you would normally expect from paper.
The print comes rolled in a black protective paper and sealed into a thick
cardboard tube for shipping, a large red and white eye and the words “Cyclops
Printworks” on the side.
After opening the tube and unrolling the print, I was able
to smell the ink which had an almost chalky scent to it, and it was powerful
enough at first where I could almost taste the ink from the scent alone. After
taking a few pictures, I dutifully placed the print back into the protective
wrapping and tube and took it immediately to a framer.
to smell the ink which had an almost chalky scent to it, and it was powerful
enough at first where I could almost taste the ink from the scent alone. After
taking a few pictures, I dutifully placed the print back into the protective
wrapping and tube and took it immediately to a framer.
Though this item is intended for the serious collector, I
would still encourage any fan of Zootopia, Disney or even Byron Howard to get
it if you can, because again, it IS
limited edition and once they are gone, they’re gone.
would still encourage any fan of Zootopia, Disney or even Byron Howard to get
it if you can, because again, it IS
limited edition and once they are gone, they’re gone.
What is Serigraphy?
Reading this article, you’ve probably said “What the heck is
Serigraphy?” or “I’ve heard of Lithography, is it something like that?”
Serigraphy?” or “I’ve heard of Lithography, is it something like that?”
The short answer is no, these two printing techniques
couldn’t be any more different if they tried. But allow this video to explain the
difference, and perhaps give you an idea on what this unique form of printing
is.
couldn’t be any more different if they tried. But allow this video to explain the
difference, and perhaps give you an idea on what this unique form of printing
is.
Serigraphy vs Lithography
The simplest way to explain Serigraphy is to look at how
they print T-shirt designs, basically a stencil is made of the image you want
to press, and the shirt is clamped down under a metal frame and stretched
slightly. The stencil is inserted into the frame just above the shirt and ink
is squeegeed down the length of the stencil and that color is applied through
the gap in the stencil, sticking to the shirt’s fabric underneath, thus giving
you your image.
they print T-shirt designs, basically a stencil is made of the image you want
to press, and the shirt is clamped down under a metal frame and stretched
slightly. The stencil is inserted into the frame just above the shirt and ink
is squeegeed down the length of the stencil and that color is applied through
the gap in the stencil, sticking to the shirt’s fabric underneath, thus giving
you your image.
Now because the Byron Howard serigraph was made with 23
colors, that means 23 stencils representing the different colors and regions
were created and applied one at a time to give you the image that you see.
Looking at any one stencil wouldn’t likely be recognizable as anything more
than simple shapes.
colors, that means 23 stencils representing the different colors and regions
were created and applied one at a time to give you the image that you see.
Looking at any one stencil wouldn’t likely be recognizable as anything more
than simple shapes.
When they created the prints, each piece of paper was
aligned into a frame, and pressed down and stretched (much like a T-shirt). One
at a time each stencil was placed into the top of the frame, and the
appropriate ink color is added. That stencil is then removed and the next
stencil added and the process repeats, 23 times total. Each set of colors and
shapes adding together until you get a completed image.
aligned into a frame, and pressed down and stretched (much like a T-shirt). One
at a time each stencil was placed into the top of the frame, and the
appropriate ink color is added. That stencil is then removed and the next
stencil added and the process repeats, 23 times total. Each set of colors and
shapes adding together until you get a completed image.
How this differs from Lithographic printing is that in
lithography, Ink is applied to a plate that has the whole image, then pressed
into a cylinder with a rubber blanket wrapped around it, to transfer the ink
and press out excess water, and that
roller is applied to the paper along with a counter presser drum to help push
against the back of the paper and quite literally press the ink into the paper
and giving you your print.
lithography, Ink is applied to a plate that has the whole image, then pressed
into a cylinder with a rubber blanket wrapped around it, to transfer the ink
and press out excess water, and that
roller is applied to the paper along with a counter presser drum to help push
against the back of the paper and quite literally press the ink into the paper
and giving you your print.
Serigraphy in the past was referred as “Silk-screen”
printing because the meshes (stencils) were made of silk fiber. However this
method is no longer used as the silk is often destroyed in the printing
process, but the term remains in the same way Kleenex or Q-tip is used to
describe all facial tissues or cotton tipped ear cleaners respectively. Most
meshes today are made using polyester, nylon or even steel mesh and hence the
name has changed to a more generic, Serigraphy.
printing because the meshes (stencils) were made of silk fiber. However this
method is no longer used as the silk is often destroyed in the printing
process, but the term remains in the same way Kleenex or Q-tip is used to
describe all facial tissues or cotton tipped ear cleaners respectively. Most
meshes today are made using polyester, nylon or even steel mesh and hence the
name has changed to a more generic, Serigraphy.
Final Verdict
To wrap things up, The Byron Howard Serigraph “Summer in Zootopia” is an
amazing piece of art and for fans of Zootopia, would be an absolutely stunning
addition to any collection. This print will easily become the center piece of
your collection to enjoy for years to come, so get it while it lasts!
amazing piece of art and for fans of Zootopia, would be an absolutely stunning
addition to any collection. This print will easily become the center piece of
your collection to enjoy for years to come, so get it while it lasts!