Giclée Prints – What Are They and Why It Matters

Giclée prints are a type of fine art print most often associated with reproductions; a Giclée canvas is often used to reproduce paintings or other artwork. The term “Giclée” comes from the French word “gicler” which means “to squirt or spray” and it refers to the way an inkjet printer works—by squirting ink onto paper.

The main difference between Giclée prints and other types of prints is in the quality and longevity of the print. Giclée prints are created using high-quality archival inks on archival quality paper, which means they are designed to last without fading for over a hundred years under proper conditions. This is in contrast to regular prints, which might use dye-based inks that can fade significantly over a shorter period.

Another key difference is the resolution of Giclée prints, which is typically much higher than traditional prints. This results in a much finer level of detail and color accuracy, making them almost indistinguishable from the original artwork.

Giclée prints are also produced one at a time, which allows for meticulous attention to detail and ensures that each print is as close to the original as possible. Other types of prints, like lithographs or serigraphs, are produced in batches which can lead to slight variations between individual prints.

In terms of cost, Giclée prints are generally more expensive than other types of prints due to the high-quality materials used and the process involved in creating them. However, for art collectors or those looking for a reproduction that closely mimics an original piece of art, Giclée prints offer a high-fidelity option.

Overall, Giclée prints provide an accessible way for people to own beautiful reproductions of their favorite artworks with the assurance that they are getting a product that is built to last and matches closely to the original in terms of detail and color.