Interview with our premium partner Victor Gassmann - General Secretary at Groupe PICTO

Could you give us a brief overview of the history of the PICTO lab, its evolution over the past 20 years, and who it targets today?

A family business founded in 1950 and labeled a Living Heritage Company, PICTO is today the leading photographic laboratory in France. The story of PICTO began with Pierre Gassmann and the great photographers close to the Magnum Photo agency (Henri Cartier-Bresson, Robert Capa, William Klein, Willy Ronis, Robert Doisneau, Edouard Boubat). Pierre, who was a photographer, placed himself at the service of these artists by becoming their printer. He was one of the first to understand that interpreting photographs required true expertise.

For 75 years, PICTO has evolved, maintaining this vision and adapting to the various printing technologies that have emerged: film prints from files, pigment inkjet prints, direct printing on rigid and flexible media, etc.

We have remained true to our original mission: to work with and understand the expectations of photographers and image creators.

How many Picto laboratories are there in France and abroad? Do you have any plans to expand internationally?

PICTO's main laboratory is located in Paris. We produce photographic prints at our historic site in Paris Bastille. Finishing and large-format printing are done at our other facility in Gennevilliers. We also have a lab in New York, which we opened a little over 10 years ago. (Other PICTO branches have been opened historically, but they no longer belong to the Group or are not necessarily photo labs. We prefer not to necessarily mention them.)

How long has the Picto Online platform existed, and why is this solution unique on the market? PictoOnline has been around for a little over 15 years. It is a unique platform because it was designed specifically for professional photographers. Picto Online offers a combination of artisanal skills and the latest cutting-edge photo printing technologies, with tailor-made services tailored to the specific needs of each project. On PictoOnline, you can also achieve a wide variety of finishes, from mounting to framing. It's the platform where everything is possible for professional photographers, at attractive prices!

What is the difference between "Lambda" and "Pigment Inkjet" printing – Which technique should you choose for a fine art print?

It can indeed be complicated to choose between these two processes, which are very complementary.

- Film printing on Lambda is the direct descendant of the traditional film process. It relies on exposing film photo paper with laser beams, followed by chemical development. It's a proven technique that offers beautiful dynamic contrasts. An excellent choice for a film rendering from a digital file. Less expensive, it is often preferred for quality prints intended for display or mounting.
- Pigment inkjet, a more recent technique, relies on the projection of inks onto a wide variety of papers. It provides a wider color richness, greater precision in detail, and excellent durability over time. It is more expensive, and the prints are more fragile when handled.

Ultimately, there is no "better" process than the other: each has its advantages and limitations. The choice will depend on the artistic project, the desired effect, and the relationship the photographer wishes to create between their image, their medium, and their future audience.

Regarding papers, we offer:

- 7 papers (4 color, 3 black and white) for the Lambda
- A very diverse fine art inkjet range, from matte papers to baryta papers, to Japanese papers made from natural fibers such as bamboo or mulberry.

Each medium has its own character (texture, tone, finish). That's why we provide samples so that each photographer can compare the results before making their choice.

Tip: Test a small print on our website before launching your final print!

Can a photographer receive remote assistance to organize an exhibition?

PICTO also offers a workshop service for custom projects that require in-person support and/or the intervention of printers. In person at the lab or via video call, our experts can advise you on the production of your prints and assist you with the production of your exhibitions and installations.

Do not hesitate to contact us for any information!