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Giclée (pronounced zhee-KLAY) is a French word meaning “to spray or to squirt”, referring to the way these high-resolution, typically large-format, printers work and has since expanded to refer to the archival quality prints that fine art printing produces.
What is the difference between a giclee and an art print?
Giclee Definition: Giclee printing is a method of printing art on canvas or archival paper using pigment based inks on a commercial inkjet printer. Art prints are usually printed on paper or card based surfaces using a dye based ink.
Are giclee prints worth anything?
Contrary to what some might think, reproducing artwork will not decrease the value of an original. In fact, giclée prints can actually increase the value of an original. Also because of the high quality, these prints can often increase in value over time. This is of course dependent on the artist.
Are giclee prints high quality?
“Giclee” is a French word that’s pronounced “zee-clay.” These prints are high-quality and known for their unbeatable longevity. The process of giclee printing is a little different than other printing processes. It works in much of the same way that an inkjet printer does. Rather than dye, they use pigment inks.
Why are giclee prints so expensive?
Embellished giclées are generally sold for a price between a simple print and an original piece. Because embellishments make the work more original, it becomes more valuable and rare. As an artist becomes more popular and their work becomes more in demand, their limited edition prints will increase in value.
Do giclee prints have texture?
Typically, giclees are not textured unless they’re printed on textured paper or canvas. However, texture can be added to giclee prints by hand. This uncommon process is done by adding a clear gel on top of a print and using the same motion as the original brushstrokes.
How long do giclee prints last?
A giclée print which is stored in normal conditions should last 100 years or more. Our prints are produced using the finest canvas and solvent and lightfast inks resisting fading and will be around for 100 years!.
Are Giclée prints numbered?
Usually giclée print runs will number around 100, this generally ensures the limited run of prints maintains rarity and collectability, but not so low as to prevent customers from finding them. However, any artist can dictate their own number of prints for their giclée print runs.
Is Giclée the same as inkjet?
Answer: Nothing! They are all the same printing process. We call our prints Archival Inkjet prints. However, they are also known as a Giclée, Iris or Pigment prints.
Do Giclée prints need glass?
Canvas wrapped prints stretched and framed in reveal frames: Giclée prints on paper need to be framed behind glass as shown below. Paper prints will hold the colors more accuratley of works originally created on paper. Different types of glass are available to protect from UV, and to reduce reflections.
Are Giclée prints glossy?
Giclee Prints The Giclee printing process provides higher image detail than traditional photographic printing. Using seven dye-based inks, Giclee Prints offer vibrant color reproduction and enhanced image clarity on your choice of archival quality Deep Matte, Fine Art, Semi Gloss and High Gloss paper.
What does fine art print mean?
Fine art printing is the term often used to refer to professional photographs being printed on very high quality paper. This designation, which is by no means a label, meets certain quality criteria, with regard to the paper in particular, which are sought after by many photographers and printers.
How can you tell a Giclée from an original?
When examining a painting, run your hand along its surface. If the paint looks like it has seeped into the canvas, it is likely a Giclee. If, in contrast, the paint is resting atop the canvas – as if it has been applied and layered – it is likely to be an original.
Will giclee prints fade?
Longevity. First of all, giclee printing tends to hold its colors for far longer than standard prints. In fact, giclee prints are thought to last up to two hundred years before starting to fade. With giclee printing, you won’t have to worry about fading or discoloration at all.
How do you pronounce giclee prints?
Giclée (/ʒiːˈkleɪ/ zhee-KLAY) is a neologism coined in 1991 by printmaker Jack Duganne for fine art digital prints made on inkjet printers. The name originally applied to fine art prints created on a modified Iris printer in a process invented in the late 1980s.
What is an artist proof giclee?
An artist’s proof is an impression of a print taken in the printmaking process to see the current printing state of a plate while the plate (or stone, or woodblock) is being worked on by the artist.
What is a watercolor giclee print?
WATERCOLOR GICLEE ( G-CLAY) PRINTS have high resolution, clarity, archival properties and Dmax giving incredible image quality that looks like artist watercolor originals. When we create watercolor reproductions it is very difficult to tell the original from the print.
Should art prints be glossy or matte?
If you’re investing in online wall art or printing your own work, both surfaces can produce stunning prints and reproductions. Typically, photographers tend to lean towards the satin and glossy finishes, while fine art prints are more likely to be provided on matte paper.
How do you store giclee prints?
Keep all giclée prints away from solvent-based materials such as oil paints and linseed oil, as the vapors can cause yellowing. Stretched pieces should be stored upright, not stacked and all prints should be interleaved with archival paper dividers and never stored with any weight on top of them.
How do you protect a giclee print?
If your giclee print is on paper, I would recommend a spray varnish such as Golden Archival Spray Varnish or Lascaux UV Protect. Both are archival and offer UV protection, and they are okay to use with art on paper (whether it’s a giclee, an original, or a mix of both!).
