What is a Giclée Print?

The name Giclée (pronounced "zhee-clay") is derived from the French verb gicler meaning 'to squirt'. A Giclée print is a high-resolution, archival quality digital print produced by the ink-jet process and is a recognized fine art print category just like lithographs and serigraphs.

In short, the process begins when an original image is scanned or digitally "captured" by camera. Because no screens are used, the prints have a higher apparent resolution than lithographs. The dynamic color range is like serigraphy (silk-screening). The Giclée process provides superior color, offering richer colors and accuracy than other means of reproduction.

The marketing advantages to artists are clear; once the image is created, identical copies can be produced when needed (or sold), eliminating excessive inventory or press runs. Additional sales opportunities are created by having more than just one original to sell. Not only do you expand your market with affordable replicas, you increase the perceived value of the original work.

In our Giclée printing process, a fine stream of pigmented inks (more than four million droplets per second) is sprayed onto fine art papers made by Arches®, Hahnemühle® or Somerset® or onto archival grade canvas and fabrics.

We actively promote the acceptance of this medium through various professional organizations and offer our gallery and web site to clients to host individual or group shows and/or sell their work.

Numerous giclée prints have been tested for longevity by independent third party laboratories associated with this industry. Depending on your choice of printable substrates, we can assure minimum print life spans of 80-150 years.

We do recommend to treat giclée prints the same as you would any original piece of art. Have them professionally framed using only archival-grade materials and UV protective glass or plexiglass over matted art on paper. Also important is to never expose any type of artwork to prolonged sunlight or other harsh conditions.