Mark started retouching in 1995 and has since worked on countless images for fashion, editorial, publishing, travel and more including award winning and high profile work. Early in his prepress career, he apprenticed under some of the best retouchers in Toronto before finding his own stride, gaining valuable experience and elevating his technique as the years went on. His seasoned skills in Photoshop are complimented by his passion for imagery, photography and the creative process. Every project is a welcome challenge as Mark loves to make each one as incredible as possible.
Working with you and your team, Mark helps to create a powerful impression and a trusting and enjoyable working relationship where the lines of communication are always open.
Upon request, Mark will will work with you on-location at your photo shoot to assist your Art Director and Photographer, ensuring the most ideal images are captured for efficient post compositing, avoiding any re-shoots and unnecessary post retouching expenses. Benefitting with on-shoot (or via remote) mock-ups combining new plates selects with camera-back/artwork for quick on-the-fly appovals before striking set.
Mark has experience and insight beyond that of most photo retouchers. Where most retouchers have only a photography background, mark has over 30 years experience working in both the technical and creative sides of the prepress business, producing a multitude of high quality printed work while under extremely demanding deadlines since 1988. His photography and artistic interests as a kid led him into the newspaper business where he apprenticed as a film stripper, darkroom technician and layout artist. Eventually Mark progressed to the Mac, working for Toronto's busiest high-end service bureau's and print brokers as a multi-faceted Prepress Technician, Retoucher, Scanner Operator, Designer and Production Artist.
His abilities in retouching and colour correction were soon realized and he followed his passion. As a result, Mark has an invaluable understanding of Adobe CS, colour, composition, print and paper - and more importantly their strengths and limitations. So, you can be sure you get the best possible result no matter how it’s presented.
Clients/Brands/Photographers
AGO • Arash Moallemi Photography • Arzu Scarf • Andrew Grinton Photography • Athletes World • Ash City • Aviron Active • The Bay • Biz Angle Media • Brandon Barré Photography • Butterfield & Robinson • Cardinal Meats • Catelli Pasta • Canada's Got Talent • Carlo Mendoza Photography • Cossette (MCW Print) • Easy Home • Envida Jewlery • Form & Affect • Flying Camel Advertising • George Brown College • Giant Shoe Creative • Glen Reichwein Photography • Humber Dept of Fashion • GSW (Syneos Health) • Jennifer Aurich Photography • Jenny Bird Jewlery • Jeff Wasserman Photography • Juliette Creative • Kellogg's • Key Gordon • Klick Health • LG2 • McCains • Marie Callender's • McDonalds • Mint & Lily • Marathon Watch Company • Mejuri • Mercedes Benze • Merzetti Photographs • Natalia Dolan Photography • Ozempic • Olivan IMS • Page Wave Graphics • Paul Chmielowiec Photography • Pepsi Co. • Paula Wilson Photography • Response Innovations • Richard Sibbald Photography • Robert Rose Inc. • Rogers Media • Roots Canada • Roula Partheniou • Sabu Photography • Samsung • Schawk Studio • Scotia Bank • Sears • Shoeless Joe’s • Sephora • Sick Kids Hospital • Siga International • Suzanne Clements Photography • STING Productions Inc. • TD Bank • Third Thing Productions • Underdog Studio • Uncle Bens • University of Toronto • Walmart • 50 Plus/CARP Magazine • Wayne Gretzy.com • Yale University • Zoomer Magazine +++++++
Awards and Accomplishments
Sick Kids "VS" Campaign
Client: Cossette Agency Toronto
Multi-award winner:
ADCC, Strategy Awards, Promo! Awards, Marketing Awards and London
International Awards (2016-2019)
Work:
Retouched hundreds of staff and children images. Overall improvement, adding
neon glow and drop shadows and merge with the "VS" neon light background.
Prepared images to spec for OOH executions and print ads.
KOHO-Dream Thieves
Client: Cossette Agency Toronto
Multi-award winner and nominations:
Applied Arts, Clio, Webby Award, Marketing Awards, The Immortal Awards
and more (2018-2019)
Work:
Retouched details and lighting affects finalizing the promotional image.
Zoomer Magazine
Client: Zoomer Magazine
Multi-award winner:
GOLD Outstanding Cover Diane Keaton 2013
GOLD Outstanding Cover Deepak Chopra 2010
SILVER Outstanding Cover Magi Smith/Sherley MacLaine 2013
BRONZE Outstanding Cover Dalai Lama 2010
Work:
Retouched improvements, colour correction, prepress optimization and provided
Idealliance G7 Certified colour SWOP proofs
Professional Career History
• Pixel Ink Retouching, Toronto, ON 2012-current
Owner, Operator, Retoucher, Colour, Graphics & Prepress Specialist
• Andora Graphics, Toronto, ON 1998-2013
Senior Retoucher, Production artist & Prepress Specialist
• Prime Imaging, Toronto, ON 1996-1998
Retoucher, Production artist, Prepress Mac Operator & Proofer
• The Lino Bureau (Robo Shop Design), Toronto, ON 1994-1996
Retoucher, Production artist, Prepress Mac Operator & Proofer
• R.J. Prepress, Concord, ON 1993-1994
Flexo Prepress Mac Operator, Film Stripper & Proofer
• The Halifax Daily News, Dartmouth, NS 1989-1992
Film Stripper, Darkroom Technician & Assistant Supervisor (Composing Dept.)
• Fundy Group Publishing, Yarmouth, NS 1988-1989
Ad layout and Composing Artist & STAT Camera Cperator
After a career spanning over thirty years in Prepress, Retoucher and Prepress Professional Mark Veldhoven launched his retouching and graphics business PIXEL INK RETOUCHING in August of 2012. Working from his home studio in Toronto, Mark now enjoys doing what he does best... commercial and consumer photo retouching, colour correction with graphic and prepress services.
Experience
Reliable
Insight and Prepress
Calibrated Studio
Reliable Colour Workflow
Mark maintains a carefully calibrated monitor and printer
colour profiled workflow for predictable colour correction
and reproduction for both photography Adobe RGB profiles
for Epson photo papers as well as commercial CMYK and
spot colour printing press SWOP and GRACoL profiles.
