Graphics Atlas began with the print characterization research initiated by the Advanced Residency Program in Photograph Conservation in 2004. In 2007 IPI researcher Ryan Boatright developed Digitalsamplebook.org as a free educational website on print characterization. Under the guidance of IPI’s director James Reilly staff including Ryan Boatright, Zach Long, Gawain Weaver, and Kate Palitsch set about transforming Digital Sample Book into the far more complex Graphics Atlas. In 2009 then University of Virginia Rare Book School director Terry Belanger provided IPI with helpful insights into the pre-photographic and photomechanical processes along with an exemplary set of sample prints. When long time project supervisor, Ryan Boatright, left IPI to live abroad and pursue his artistic career, Zach Long became responsible for managing the project. In February of 2010 the final revisions to Graphics Atlas were completed and the new site was launched. Since the completion of the frame work for Graphics Atlas new content has been added on a regular basis and the site now boasts prints from more than thirty different processes.
