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The RED BOOK of Large-Format Prints

About the book

This book covers the manufacturing and finishing of large-format prints for performance-technical use and, in the case section, the performance-technical use as such and the supply channels relating to the prints. The owner and the publisher of the book is The Finnish National Opera and Ballet. The purpose of this book is to develop an information package for the performance-technical industry about large-format prints and to deal more extensively with the manufacturing and finishing techniques.

By performance-technical use, is meant the use of prints e.g. in the following:

  • drama, music and dance theatres, theatre houses, multifunctional houses, concert halls, outdoor theatres, performance areas in schools, ships and nightclubs
  • film and TV-studios and shooting locations
  • events: outdoor concerts, fairs and business performances

In the theory section of the book, the equipment and methods of digital large-format prints and colour control, material instructions for visualizers, copyright issues of the material, the safety of the prints and sustainable development, amongst other things, are discussed.

Using existing large-format prints, the case section deals with different types of large-format prints, the set solutions relating to them and the finishing touches of large-format prints to match performance-technical use.

In the supply channel section, the most significant suppliers of large-format print industry in some European countries, at the moment of writing this, and the finishing material suppliers are discussed. In this section, also the pricing of large print products in Finland has been discussed.

This book delivers the owner’s commission to develop an information package about large-format prints for parties operating in performance-technical industry. This means that the book and its sources may be used to facilitate the planning and implementing large-format prints for different kinds of performance areas.

Download the book (pdf)

About the writer

Tapio Säkkinen (born 1963) is an internationally recognized stage and theatre technology specialist who has worked at the Finnish National Opera and Ballet for over 40 years. Currently, he is employed as the Head of Set Workshop at the Finnish National Opera and Ballet and chairs the Set Workshop Forum of Opera Europa.

Säkkinen has studied theater and performance technology and management. During his career, he has witnessed the introduction of large format printing to the theatre industry and gained extensive expertise on the manufacturing and utilization of large format prints. Large format printing has become a stable in the field, but it will continue to be complemented by traditional painting techniques that he considers essential skills.

Säkkinen sees safety and environmental friendliness as very important aspects of his work as a set design professional. His career highlights include working with top directors and set designers, such as Marco Arturo Marelli, Ramon B. Ivars, and Hans Schavernoch. In addition to his work, Säkkinen lectures at universities and vocational schools and participates actively in international theatre forums. He is an avid devotee of the performing arts and a cycling enthusiast.