Digital Silver
Digital Silver Imaging is a Belmont, Massachusetts fine art print lab producing proprietary silver gelatin black & white prints from digital files, museum-quality inkjet prints, high-resolution digitization, and archival finishing for professional photographers, museums, galleries, and fine art enthusiasts worldwide.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2008
- HeadquartersBelmont, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingServices
What Digital Silver does
Digital Silver Imaging (DSI), founded in 2008 by Eric Luden and headquartered in a single facility at 9 Brighton Street, Belmont, Massachusetts, is a privately held fine art photography print laboratory operating with 1–10 employees. The company's core technological offering is the proprietary DSI Digital Silver Print® — a true black & white silver gelatin print produced directly from digital files by fusing traditional wet photographic darkroom practice with modern digital workflows, which DSI claims makes it the only lab in the world offering this product. Supporting capabilities include museum-quality archival inkjet/giclée printing up to 60 inches wide using pigment inks on Hahnemühle, Canson Infinity, Moab, and Ilford/Harman papers; high-resolution digitization via a 150 megapixel PhaseOne camera system (used to digitize Elliott Erwitt's entire photographic archive); and a full suite of finishing services including custom framing, matboard/Gatorfoam/Dibond/acrylic mounting, CNC-cut archival matting, Aluma Mounts, and aluminum and wood print hangers. The company holds dual certifications as a Hahnemühle Certified Studio and Canson Infinity Certified Print Lab.
Revenue is generated through unit-priced services across five streams: print production (DSI Digital Silver Prints®, custom inkjet, value prints), digitization and scanning, finishing services, consulting and curation (provided by in-house curator J. Sybylla Smith), and education/workshops including Ziatype and Digitize Day events. Distribution is primarily direct via two e-commerce storefronts (digitalsilverimaging.com and prints.digitalsilverimaging.com) with worldwide shipping, supplemented by channel partnerships with Leica Store Boston and direct institutional relationships with museums and galleries including Leica Gallery Los Angeles. The customer base spans professional photographers and Leica/Nikon ambassadors, museums and galleries, photographic archive holders and estates, and photography enthusiasts.
Go-to-market emphasizes community engagement over paid advertising — the company sponsors and partners with the Social Documentary Network, Photoville NYC (Major Partner 2023), CatchLight Foundation, Griffin Museum of Photography, Women Photo Journalists of Washington, Colorado Photographic Arts Center, and Nave Gallery, while producing the DSI Blog, email newsletter, webinars, and the Concept Aware® podcast (20K listeners across 79 countries). DSI is independently owned by its founders with no disclosed institutional investors, parent companies, or funding rounds, and operates as a profitable lifestyle specialty business in a defensible craft niche.
Digital Silver firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Digital Silver
- Legal name
- Digital Silver Imaging
- Website
- https://digitalsilverimaging.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2008
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Digital Silver Imaging is a Belmont, Massachusetts fine art print lab producing proprietary silver gelatin black & white prints from digital files, museum-quality inkjet prints, high-resolution digitization, and archival finishing for professional photographers, museums, galleries, and fine art enthusiasts worldwide.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Where Digital Silver is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Belmont
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Digital Silver business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Print Production Services: Primary revenue stream from producing black & white silver gelatin prints (DSI Digital Silver Prints®), color inkjet/giclée prints, and value prints. Services include custom printing up to 60 inches wide, direct-to-print services, and art reproduction printing.
- Digitization and Scanning Services: High-resolution digitization of film, transparencies, and artwork using PhaseOne camera systems. Includes file retouching, color correction, and delivery in various image formats.
- Finishing Services: Framing (custom wood frames, value frames, aluminum frames), mounting (matboard, Gatorfoam, Dibond, face mounting to acrylic), and matting services. Aluma Mounts and print hangers (aluminum and wood) also available.
- Consulting and Curation Services: Portfolio review, artist statement development, exhibition planning, and grant writing strategies provided through independent curator J. Sybylla Smith. Complete exhibition expertise from concept through installation.
- Education and Workshops: Hosting and sponsoring webinars, workshops, and educational events on photography, printing techniques, portfolio reviews, and alternative presentation methods. Events include collaborations with photographers and industry experts.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Value Prints - Small format affordable printing |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Custom Inkjet Prints - Museum quality archival prints |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | DSI Digital Silver Prints® - True silver gelatin B&W prints |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Digitization Services - High-resolution scanning |
| Unit Pricing | Multi-year contract | Digitize Day Event - Special discounted digitization |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Ziatype Workshop - Alternative process printing |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels6 records
Digital Silver product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Digital Silver Imaging (DSI) is a specialized fine art photographic print lab offering museum-quality printing, digitization, and finishing services. Its signature offering is the DSI Digital Silver Print® — the only lab in the world producing true black & white silver gelatin prints made directly from digital files by fusing traditional wet darkroom practices with modern digital workflows. The lab also provides custom inkjet/giclée prints up to 60 inches wide, high-resolution scanning using a 150 megapixel PhaseOne camera system, art reproduction, framing, mounting, matting, and consultation/curation services for photographers, museums, galleries, and enthusiasts.
Product overview
Digital Silver Imaging is a fine art photography print lab offering a comprehensive suite of print production and finishing services. The core offerings include DSI Digital Silver Prints® (silver gelatin black & white prints from digital files), Custom Inkjet Prints (archival fine art prints up to 60 inches), and Value Prints (affordable small format prints). Supporting services include high-resolution digitization/scanning using a 150 megapixel PhaseOne system, art reproduction and giclee printing, and professional consulting/curation. Finishing options include framing (custom wood, aluminum, value frames), mounting (matboard, Gatorfoam, Dibond, acrylic face mounting), matting, Aluma Mounts, and print hangers (aluminum and wood). The company holds Hahnemühle and Canson Infinity certifications as a print lab.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- DSI Digital Silver Prints® True black & white silver gelatin prints made directly from digital files, fusing traditional wet photographic darkroom practices with modern digital technology. Targeted at professional photographers, museums, galleries, and fine art print enthusiasts seeking authentic silver gelatin prints.
- Custom Inkjet Prints Museum-quality archival fine art inkjet/giclée prints using professional-grade pigment inks and premium papers (Hahnemühle, Canson Infinity, Moab), available up to 60 inches wide. Targeted at professional photographers and artists needing exhibition-ready prints.
- Value Prints High-quality small format prints at accessible prices, offering superior quality compared to mass market, big box retailer, or pharmacy lab printing. Targeted at photography enthusiasts and everyday consumers needing affordable quality prints.
- Digitization & Scanning High-resolution scanning and digitization using a 150 megapixel PhaseOne Camera system for film, transparencies, and artwork, including file retouching and color correction. Targeted at photographers, collectors, estates, and institutions needing archival digitization.
- Art Reproduction & Giclée Printing Fine art reproduction service that transforms original artwork into museum-quality archival prints using precision image capture and color-corrected workflows. Targeted at artists, galleries, and collectors needing faithful reproductions of original artwork.
- Direct-to-Print Service Service allowing customers to directly submit digital files for printing without additional consultation, accessed via prints.digitalsilverimaging.com. Targeted at individual photographers and enthusiasts seeking streamlined online ordering.
- Framing Professional framing services offering handcrafted custom wood frames, Value Frames, and welded aluminum frames with seamless corners, including traditional matted presentations and contemporary spacer mounting. Targeted at photographers, artists, and collectors needing presentation-ready framing.
- Print Mounting Professional mounting on traditional materials (matboard, Gatorfoam) and contemporary frameless options (aluminum, Dibond, acrylic face mounting). Targeted at photographers and artists needing museum-quality presentation.
- Print Matting Precision-cut mat windows produced on a professional CNC cutter with archival museum board meeting conservation standards. Targeted at photographers, artists, and collectors needing archival matting for framed prints.
- Aluma Mounts Fine art pigment prints mounted to archival aluminum composite material (ACM) with Hahnemühle UV Protective Spray coating for durable, lightweight, museum-quality presentation without framing. Targeted at galleries, exhibitions, and high-traffic display environments.
- Aluminum Print Hangers Modern aluminum print hanger product offering an alternative presentation solution for hanging prints without traditional framing. Targeted at photographers and interior designers.
- Wood Print Hangers Traditional-style wood print hangers for contemporary display of photography. Targeted at photographers and individuals seeking an alternative to traditional framing.
- The Unbound Portfolio®
Companies that use Digital Silver
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Digital Silver technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
Digital Silver partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.
- NAVE GalleryminorDigitize Day event partner. Portion of event fees donated to Nave Gallery - CHCP Building Fund for community support.
- PhotovillecoreMajor Partner for Photoville NYC 2023, printing 8 container exhibitions. Hosted vintage black & white darkroom experience at Brooklyn Bridge Park event. Previous sponsor in 2018.
- HahnemühlecoreHahnemühle Certified Studio designation. Premium paper partnership providing archival fine art papers from Hahnemühle for all printing services. Also provides Hahnemühle UV Protective Spray for Aluma Mounts finish.
- Canson InfinitycoreCanson Infinity Certified Print Lab partnership. Provides premium fine art papers for archival printing services.
- Social Documentary NetworkcoreLongtime supporters and collaborators of Social Documentary Network. Joint initiative 'Documentary Matters' provides forum for photographers to discuss documentary photography projects. Co-presenter of documentary events.
- Catchlight FoundationminorCommunity supporter of CatchLight's Visual Storytelling Summit and fellowship community.
- Griffin Museum of PhotographyminorLongtime supporter and collaborator of the Griffin Museum of Photography. Supports exhibitions and portfolio reviews.
- Colorado Photographic Arts CenterminorCollaborative partner for webinars and Month of Photography Denver events. CPAC organizes biennial MOP festival across 75+ venues.
- Women Photo Journalists of WashingtonminorSupporter of Women Photo Journalists of Washington (WPOW) organization.
- Leica Store BostonminorPartnership for Print Exchange events. DSI provides discounted prints for Leica community events. Joint photo walks and equipment loan programs.
- Maine Media WorkshopsminorHost venue for J. Sybylla Smith's Concept Aware® workshops and educational programs.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Digital Silver competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- ProDPI: Professional photo printing lab specializing in dye-sublimation metal prints, fine art prints, and direct-to-garment products for professional photographers. Overlaps with DSI in serving professional photographers with premium print products.
- Bay Photo Lab: One of the largest US professional photo printing labs, offering custom fine art inkjet prints, metal prints, and a broad range of professional finishing services to photographers and artists. Most directly comparable US-based, e-commerce-first print lab competitor to DSI's core inkjet and finishing business.
- White House Custom Colour: Professional photo printing lab offering fine art prints, metal prints, albums, and a wide range of professional-grade substrates to photographers. Comparable as a US-based, professional-segment print lab competing for the same photographer customers.
- Laumont Editions: Fine art digital printing, scanning, and editioning studio serving artists, galleries, and museums in the New York area. Highly comparable in the museum/gallery segment, especially for editioning and art reproduction services.
- Richard Photo Lab: High-end professional photo lab serving wedding, portrait, and fine art photographers with premium prints, custom finishing, and museum-quality output. Closely comparable in customer base (professional photographers seeking premium quality) and product mix to DSI.
- Musea Lab: Boutique fine art printing and framing service targeting artists, galleries, and photographers with museum-quality archival output. Closely aligned with DSI's fine art, museum-quality positioning and customization focus.
Others
- Phase One: Manufacturer of the high-resolution PhaseOne camera system DSI uses for its 150 MP digitization service. Relevant as a technology supplier; the PhaseOne ecosystem is also a sales channel to high-end professional photographers.
Emerging players
- The Icon: Boutique print and framing service offering custom framing, printing, and finishing for photographers and artists, including direct-to-consumer and gallery clients. Partially comparable as a smaller, design-forward competitor in the custom framing/finishing space.
Broad incumbents
- Hahnemühle: Global premium fine art paper manufacturer and operator of the Hahnemühle Certified Studio program that DSI participates in. Comparable as the dominant paper vendor in the segment and a potential upstream competitor if it expanded into in-house print services.
- Canson Infinity: Premium fine art paper brand running the Certified Print Lab program in which DSI is accredited. Comparable as a key supplier and ecosystem gatekeeper in the archival print market DSI serves.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Digital Silver social profiles
Digital presenceDigital Silver financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Digital Silver leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
Digital Silver funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Digital Silver M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Digital Silver
What does Digital Silver do?
Digital Silver Imaging (DSI) is a specialized fine art photographic print lab offering museum-quality printing, digitization, and finishing services. Its signature offering is the DSI Digital Silver Print® — the only lab in the world producing true black & white silver gelatin prints made directly from digital files by fusing traditional wet darkroom practices with modern digital workflows. The lab also provides custom inkjet/giclée prints up to 60 inches wide, high-resolution scanning using a 150 megapixel PhaseOne camera system, art reproduction, framing, mounting, matting, and consultation/curation services for photographers, museums, galleries, and enthusiasts.
Is Digital Silver a public or private company?
Digital Silver is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Digital Silver founded?
Digital Silver was founded in 2008. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Digital Silver based?
Digital Silver is headquartered in Belmont, United States, in the North America region.
How does Digital Silver make money?
Five revenue lines are on record. Print Production Services are the primary driver. The others are digitization and Scanning Services, finishing Services, consulting and Curation Services and education and Workshops.
Who are Digital Silver's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are ProDPI, Bay Photo Lab, White House Custom Colour, Laumont Editions, Richard Photo Lab and Musea Lab. Phase One is listed as an others. The Icon is listed as an emerging player. Broad incumbents are Hahnemühle and Canson Infinity.
Does Digital Silver have an API?
No public API is recorded for Digital Silver.