Digital cameras enable amateur and professional photographers to create wonderful images. Now digital printing can reproduce those images on canvas, giving them the look and feel of a fine art painting.

“We’ve taken images from individuals and professional photographers, printed them on canvas, put them on stretchers or in frames and the result is really great art,” said Rhonda Evans, owner of Dougherty Blueprint Digital Imaging and Graphic Design Center.

Dougherty Blueprint Digital Imaging and Graphic Design Center is fast becoming Albany and South Georgia’s primary supplier for fine art prints for professional and amateur photographers, and artists. Recent jobs include the artwork for the new North Mitchell Elementary School.  Produced from professional photographs, the artwork makes a colorful statement and gives the school great energy and a sense of fun.  The company also just finished a small art project for the new Student Center at Darton College in Albany.

“Expanding our color services has been a large portion of our growth over the past two years,” Evans said. “With the addition of a new high-end scanner, we will be able to provide quality prints for customers with negatives and slides along with putting them on DVDs for presentation or archival storage.”

Adding color capabilities
A family-owned business, Dougherty Blueprint opened in 1955 to facilitate the building of the Marine Corp Logistics Base.  The company provides construction printing, survey instruments and drafting and engineering supplies.

“About four years ago we began expanding our color printing capabilities,” Evans said.  “While construction companies know us, others in the community aren’t as familiar with what we can do.”

The company has an imaging/photo restoration expert and a graphic designer on staff.  As a result, they can help individuals and small businesses design and produce marketing brochures, menus, signs, banners and custom artwork to hang on their walls.

“I feel we have the most talented imaging and design group in Georgia,” Evans said.

Dougherty Blueprint has three different types of color printers and can print on virtually any surface.  Its large-format printer can handle jobs up to 65 inches in width, perfect for wall and floor graphics, banners and signs.

“We can even print a color logo on a child’s balsa wood airplane,” Evans stated.

Competitive online
While many customers go online to find the best price on printing, Evans believes Dougherty Blueprint is competitive with online printers both on pricing and service.  Clients can order and submit their files via the Dougherty Blueprint website at www.doughertyblueprint.com.  Customers have the convenience of online ordering plus personalized professional services.

“We are the color printer for most professional photographers and artists in southern Georgia,” Evans said.

With the economic downturn, Evans is working to build greater awareness in the community of the full-service digital printing capabilities at Dougherty Blueprint.  Longer term, she would like to see greater industrial and business growth in Albany for her business to thrive.

“With the closing of Cooper Tire and other companies in the past, Albany has a workforce ready and in place for new industries,” Evans said.  “With business-friendly leadership, I know we can attract new businesses to our area.”

For more information on Dougherty Blueprint, visit www.doughertyblueprint.com

About Barbara Kieker

Barbara Kieker is a freelance writer who writes on business-related topics for a number of web-based properties. She also provides communications services to Fortune 500 corporations, small businesses and nonprofit organizations.