Creating Exhibition Prints with the J-throne 29: Self-Portrait Photographer Rinaty's Experience

26 October 2026

Rinaty has attracted attention both in Japan and abroad for her self-portrait photography. Even in an age when viewing photographs on social media and digital devices has become the norm, she is one of the photographers who consider printing her work on paper and sharing it with others an essential part of the creative process. We welcomed Rinaty to the Komori Graphic Technology Center (KGC) in Tsukuba, Japan, where she printed her own photographs on a variety of paper stocks using the J-throne 29, 29-inch Sheetfed UV Inkjet Digital Printing Press. We spoke with her about her experience and impressions of the prints. The two works she selected were exhibited at the Komori booth during the Tokyo Camera Club 2026 Photo Exhibition, "Our World Opens," held over four days from September 19, 2026, at Shibuya Hikarie 9F.

Special Interview:Photographer Rinaty on Photographic Expression and the Appeal of Print

The Thought and Care Behind Each Creation

For this project, Rinaty provided data for several of her photographs, each of which was printed on five different special paper, including glossy paper, matte paper, Japanese washi paper, VENT NOUVEAU fine paper, and translucent LIMEX sheet. In total, an impressive 80 print combinations were printed.

After evaluating the various combinations, two works were selected: "Standing Alone", which showcases the vivid crimson of the dress, and "Strata of Me," which draws the eye with its striking contrast between the patterns of the rocky surface and the soft red of the dress.

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Left: "Standing Alone", one of Rinaty's signature works. Previously exhibited at various venues, the piece was presented in a new way for the first time.
Right: "Strata of Me", printed on Japanese washi paper. Rinaty explains that creating her self-portraits involves carrying a substantial amount of equipment and several dresses to each location, as well as spending hours on the shoot. The process demands extraordinary physical stamina and patience.

"Standing Alone" is one of my signature works, and it holds a special place in my heart. It was selected for the Tokyo Camera Club's 10 Selections in 2022. I took this photograph when I transitioned to a career as a photographer, wanting to create a work that would serve as the starting point for everything that followed. The camera industry is a challenging field, but I want to keep my passion alive, express my true self, and stand firm. That is the message I embedded in this single image." Rinaty explained, reflecting on her major career change.

Speaking about her other work, "Strata of Me", she said, "I found the patterns in the rock fascinating, so I used a color-grading preset called a LUT to bring out their distinctive characteristics. I was really impressed by how beautifully the rock patterns came through in the digital image, and I wanted to see how they would look in a large print. That's why I submitted this work for the project."

Choosing the Right Paper for Each Expression

Rinaty holds a solo exhibition every year without fail. "I consider the choice of paper and the texture in which people experience a photograph to be part of the artwork itself. If I simply take a photograph and keep it to myself, I feel it remains nothing more than a personal memory. That's why I believe it's so important to choose the right paper and share the work with others, allowing them to experience its texture as well."

For "Standing Alone", she selected LIMEX sheet, a translucent material, and opted for an unprecedented display using backlighting.
"Among the various types of paper I've printed on, this is my first time exhibiting with a backlit illuminated display. The red costume takes on a striking three-dimensional presence, giving me the curious sensation of viewing an entirely different work. In the past, I've often encountered issues where the red didn't come out quite right or appeared somewhat faded. This time, however, the color was remarkably close to my ideal - the moment I saw it, my excitement soared."

For "Strata of Me", she chose Japanese washi paper.
"I hadn't expected this piece to suit washi paper, so it came as a pleasant surprise. The fibrous texture unique to washi was visually engaging and enjoyable to look at. Through color adjustments, the print was crafted to accentuate both the strata patterns and the red tones - and I was so pleased with the result that I chose this piece."

"I considered many factors - how the works would appear when displayed at the venue, and what kind of textures visitors would want to see - and carefully selected the final pieces from there. It was a challenging process, but I truly enjoyed it, and it turned out to be a very rewarding experience."

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Rinaty smiles as she evaluates the prints, remarking, "They're all so good, it's hard to choose!". The photo shows her comparing the same work printed on different paper stocks.

Experiencing High-Quality Printing with the J-throne 29

Reflecting on her experience of watching the printing process firsthand, Rinaty said, "I was amazed at how fast the printing speed was. It took no time at all from paper feed to delivery. It was much faster than I had imagined."

For this printing session, the J-throne 29 digital press was used, capable of printing up to 6,000 sheets per hour (sph) in simplex mode. One of the key advantages of inkjet digital printing is the ability to fine-tune colors on the spot while comparing different paper stocks and immediately checking the results. This allows creators to assess any differences from their original vision and refine the final specifications until they achieve a result they are fully satisfied with.

"I enjoyed having my work printed on so many different types of paper and being able to line up the prints I liked and compare them before making my selection. Being able to adjust the colors right there on the spot also gave me peace of mind." 

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Left: "So fast! I want to watch both!" Standing between the monitor and the press, Rinaty captures the J-throne 29 in action with two cameras in hand.
Right: Rinaty inspects printed sheets. The red was reproduced beautifully, earning immediate approval.

Another highlight for Rinaty was discovering details she had never noticed before, thanks to the high-resolution, large-format prints.

"What struck me most was that printing the work revealed details I hadn't noticed during the developing and retouching stages. In the photo of the subject lying on the snow, for instance, you can clearly see how much snow had gathered on my fingertips. 'Was the texture of this outfit really like that?' There were so many details that only became visible thanks to the large-format print - and that was truly fascinating."

One of the great pleasures of print is its ability to faithfully reproduce high-resolution photographic data, revealing details that even the creators themselves may not have noticed.

In addition, a range of items were produced with solo exhibitions in mind, including postcards, leaflets, notebooks, and stickers.

"Komori also printed leaflets for me, and the quality was so beautiful that I felt they could almost be displayed as artworks. I've had this signature piece made into postcards several times before, but this was by far the most beautifully reproduced red I've ever seen."

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In addition to the B2 exhibition prints, a variety of printed items were produced, including ring-bound notebooks, stickers, leaflets, and postcards.

Print Technology That Empowers Creative Expression

While digital displays offer high resolution and sharpness, paper has a presence and texture all its own. The sense of an artwork physically existing right in front of you is an experience that only print can provide.

"On a smartphone, an image is often viewed for only about a second before being scrolled past, and I find that genuinely disappointing. Being able to print on this large scale, and to have viewers take their time to appreciate every detail I've carefully considered, is a wonderful thing. Even in this digital age, I want to continue to cherish the experience of having my work seen in print."

Looking ahead, Rinaty also shared an idea for a future project: "I'd like to hold an exhibition where the same photograph is printed on different types of paper so visitors can compare the differences."

"Through this experience, I learned that the way a photo looks changes completely depending on the paper - and I found it truly fascinating. I'd love for visitors to come and experience those differences for themselves. If it inspires even a few more people to exhibit or print their own photos, that will make me truly happy." she said, expressing her enthusiasm for the idea.

This project offered new discoveries even for Rinaty, who has created numerous works throughout her career. For Komori, it was also an opportunity to reaffirm that printing is far more than simply an output process; it is an essential part of artistic expression that brings work to completion. As a partner in supporting creators' creativity, the J-throne 29 continues to open new possibilities for visual expression.

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The works were exhibited at the 2026 Tokyo Camera Club Photo Exhibition.
URL:https://tokyocameraclub.com/special/exhibition_2026/

■Rinaty

Selected for the Tokyo Camera Club's 10 Selections of 2022. A full member of the Japan Professional Photographers Society (JPS), Rinaty works as a self-portrait photographer, traveling throughout Japan to photograph herself as her own model. She also teaches part-time in the Fashion Photography course at Ueda College of Fashion.

Her recent book is I Do It All - Shooting and Modeling: Behind the Scenes of Self-Portrait Photography (GENKOSHA Co.,Ltd.).

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rina_k_photo/

■Tokyo Camera Club

Tokyo Camera Club is one of Japan's largest social media photography communities, with over 5.76 million followers across its platforms. With more than 77 million photos submitted to date, it provides creators around the world with an open platform to showcase their work. The community is known not only for the volume of submissions but also for the high quality of photographs. It operates on platforms including Instagram, Facebook, and X, making it easy for anyone to join for free.

■Komori Group Purpose

"Delivering Kando "beyond expectations" by contributing to society with print technology"

As Komori approached the 100th anniversary of our founding in 2023, we believe that we need a compass for our continued sound development. Komori will move forward over the next 100 years with a purpose that can resonate with all stakeholders.

Detail about our purpose:https://www.komori.com/en/global/company/purpose/

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