Who We Are

Fine Print’s History

Fine Print Imaging had its humble beginnings in a garage located in central Fort Collins, Colorado. In 1975, two English and journalism teachers, Mark Lukes and Carl Sever, pooled their resources to build a color print lab. Their original intention was to just print for themselves, but word quickly spread throughout the Colorado art show community that these guys in Fort Collins were doing some pretty amazing photo printing. And in the fall of 1975, Fine Print opened its (garage) doors to business.

The 70s and 80s took a lot of twists and turns, with anything that could make money in photography. Old time portrait studios, forming the first full color MLS book for the real estate industry, creating a wholesale framed photo outlet for our artists and photographers. But all the while, Fine Print Imaging kept attracting new customers. By 1990, we had 26 employees and 3000 customers coming from all 50 states. In 1991, Carl left the business, Making Mark and his wife, Linda, the sole owners. Today we still have customers in all 50 states, and, because of the efficiency of digital, a smaller staff of 16.

With the advent of digital imaging in the mid to late 90s, Fine Print once again began the process of reinventing itself, becoming the second lab world-wide to purchase and install the Chromira digital photo printer. Fine Print continues to use the Chromira – albeit a new generation model – for its Lumira digital photo prints. In addition, Fine Print has a complete lineup of ink printers, scanning equipment and canvas stretching equipment.

Fine Print has always been active in the conservation movement. Fine Print was instrumental in the founding of the North American Nature Photography Association (NANPA). Fine Print owner Mark Lukes was the founding president of both NANPA and the NANPA Foundation. Mark is on the Executive committee of the International League of Conservation Photographers. He was also the founding president of The Center for Fine Art Photography.

Fine Print’s conservation legacy continues with the evolution of its Art for Conservation program and web site www.artforconservation.org. Through Art for Conservation, we nurture the careers of dozens of conservation artists and photographers and support a like number of conservation organizations with our Art for Conservation printing program. We practice what we preach and have been making strong strides in creating one of the greenest labs in the country.