From original watercolor to art prints: our process
All our illustrations start as original watercolor paintings, made by hand on paper. Before becoming prints, each artwork goes through a careful process designed to stay as close as possible to the original piece.
In this article, we explain how an original watercolor becomes an art print, the decisions we make along the way, and why these choices affect the final result.
Original watercolor painting before printing.
1. Original watercolor artwork
Every illustration begins as a traditional watercolor painting. There is no digital drawing involved at this stage. Each brushstroke, texture and natural variation comes directly from the original artwork.
Because watercolor relies on subtle color transitions and paper texture, our main goal during reproduction is to preserve these characteristics instead of “flattening” them into a purely digital look.
2. From original to digital file (in-house process)
Once the painting is finished, we digitize the artwork ourselves. This step is done in-house and manually, with attention to accuracy and consistency.
Our goal is not to digitally “improve” the artwork, but to create a file that remains faithful to the original painting while being suitable for printing.
During this phase, we focus on:
- keeping colors as close as possible to the original
- preserving the natural paper texture
- maintaining balanced contrast (without over-sharpening)
- avoiding over-editing and artificial effects
Printing is where the digital file becomes a physical object again.
The printing stage allows us to verify color balance, texture and overall harmony.
3. Preparing the file for printing
Preparing an artwork for print is not a one-click step. Each file requires adjustments so that the printed result matches the original as closely as possible.
This includes fine-tuning overall color balance and contrast so that the print keeps a natural watercolor feel and remains consistent across different sizes.
The objective is simple: the print should feel like a natural extension of the original artwork, not a transformed digital version.
4. Art prints vs fine art prints
The terms used for prints can be confusing, and they do not always mean the same thing across brands.
We offer high-quality art prints, produced with professional printing and carefully selected paper. Our prints are designed to be enjoyed every day: framed, gifted, and integrated into real living spaces.
They are not sold as certified fine art prints. This is a conscious choice that allows us to keep our work accessible while maintaining consistent quality standards.
For us, quality is defined by the result: faithful reproduction, careful material choices, and a reliable process.
5. Paper choice: why it matters
Paper plays a major role in how a watercolor reproduction looks and feels. The wrong paper can make colors look too saturated, reduce depth, or create an artificial finish.
The right paper supports softness, texture and detail, helping the artwork keep its original character.
Art print detail on textured paper.
6. What to expect from our art prints
Our prints are designed to:
- respect the original watercolor artwork
- feel warm and natural to the touch
- preserve softness, texture and detail
- look beautiful framed or unframed
Our goal is not to reproduce an original watercolor perfectly, but to translate it into a print that feels balanced, calm and faithful to the initial work.
Each step of the process is guided by this intention: respecting the original artwork while creating a print designed to be lived with, framed and enjoyed in everyday spaces.
Discover our art prints