On March 1, Pushdot Studio will open its doors to Astoria, but this is merely a new chapter for an establishment that has served the Portland area for more than two decades.

Lincoln Miller, the owner, opened Pushdot — a printing studio, digital photography resource and gallery — in the Pearl District in 2002. It switched locations twice in Portland and has now made a new home on Exchange Street.

“It was a big move,” Miller said, as his family also relocated to the area at the beginning of the year.

After a few weeks of setting up shop and keeping up with orders from existing clients, he is excited to welcome the public to the studio.

“I’m in the mindset that change is good … and looking forward to doing the same thing out here,” he said.

A resource for print

Pushdot offers a variety of services, but its niche, according to Miller, is archival printing. They use materials rated at an archival level, which enhances vibrancy and makes the print resistant to fading and deterioration.

He works regularly with museums, hotels and restaurants, along with artists looking for high-quality products to show in galleries.

Additionally, Pushdot offers scanning to support the reproduction of original artwork, image editing, retouching, finishing and mounting, and a gallery space used for curated group shows and to highlight artists.

“It’s not something I make money at, but it’s something I really enjoy, and it offers support to the community,” Miller said.

He’s always been in photography, in some fashion or another. In the 1990s, while working for large pre-press companies, he observed firsthand the digital revolution and its impact on the industry.

“It affected photography and printing significantly,” he said.

For large companies, it was easy to invest in emerging technologies and incorporate new equipment, despite the price tag. On the other hand, Miller said, “I saw your average photographer struggling with that transition.”

Having experience with the new technology, he saw a chance to offer his newfound knowledge, skills and insights at a personal, rather than corporate, level.

“That was the impetus to try to open a business that really focused on the individual artist and photographer and consumer who wanted to make that transition,” Miller said. “I wanted to be a resource to help them do that.”

Over time, he’s developed a clientele that not only appreciates the final product but also how his experience and knowledge can help them learn and keep growing in the world of technology.

Finding community

After 23 years and three Portland locations, leaving had some challenging aspects, Miller said, “because of that length of time and all the relationships were built up.”

However, he’d been eyeing Astoria for a while and even built a house in the area.

“It’s just grown and become more vibrant,” he said, adding there’s a burgeoning creative scene that he looks forward to becoming immersed in. The combination of both an established artist community and new energy frequently flowing in “feels like it’s an opportunity.”

His space in Astoria, nestled in the former YMCA building, is a bit smaller than what he had in Portland, which has led to scaling down his business and compacting it into a smaller version that will still enable Miller to do what he’s passionate about.

He plans to continue serving his long-term clients remotely and work on developing new relationships.

“I just love working with photographers, artists, individuals off the street—anybody who really loves photography,” he said. “I’m coming to Astoria to complement what’s already here. That’s my goal: to become a partner for people here — businesses, artists, whomever.”

The studio’s grand opening will take place from noon to 4 p.m. March 1. Going forward, regular hours will be from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays, or by appointment.

Pushdot Studio

Pushdot Studio

1217 Exchange St., Astoria

Grand opening from noon to 4 p.m. March 1. Hours will be from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays and by appointment.

@pushdotstudio

www.pushdot

studio.com