From Gallery Insider, Winter 2005

Giclee printing is the newest kid on the block. The term giclee is French for splattered or sprayed ink. It describes the process of ink squirting out of the nozzles of an ink jet printer. Giclee printing is an archival process using only high level printers, pigmented inks and high quality paper preferably acid free, 100% rag paper or cotton canvas. A perfectly executed digital print is the result.

Artists have embraced this new technology. For them, it offers an opportunity to reproduce their images in a completely new art form - more affordable, in varying sizes and on paper or canvas. It gives them a chance to share their images with more people as the new price points make these prints now easily available. According to The Wall Street Journal, "Advocates say the technological development democratizes the market place for fine art, allowing consumers who cannot afford the real thing to buy something that seems awfully close" ("When Art Imitates Art: The Giclee Debate," Anne Marie Chaker, July 21, 2004).

Giclee printing has allowed artists to trade in the printing press for computer. This process presents the opportunity to make a very high quality, archival print which can be made one at a time on demand - no longer the commitment to long and costly print runs. And archival in the giclee world these days means at least 80 to 100 years. The giclee process also is better at capturing details than traditional processes.

Process details

There is a considerable amount of work that goes into this, equipment to buy or outsource to a reputable lab or technician, and an expert knowledge of Adobe Photoshop and color management needed by anyone producing giclee prints. First, the process usually requires a photographer's 4 x 5" transparency, which then has to be professionally drum scanned thus digitizing the negative. Afterwards the image goes to the computer screen where a professional knowledge of color control and exhaustive patience is required to make the image print ready. Finally, a test proof is run to compare its quality to the original, and then more tests and more tests.

It can be very time consuming and expensive as the tests can only be made on the archival canvas or paper on which the giclee will be printed. Computers, printers and different kinds of paper all add a number of variables making the process very complicated. But persistence does bring rewards, and once the perfect color match is determined for the designated paper and printer, giclees can be made one at a time in variable sizes. Finally, if so desired, the artist can then by hand, "enhance" the print with a brushstroke to give texture or "remarque" with paint and mixed media to add line and additional color.

Why buy a giclee print

As mentioned earlier, giclees have "democratized" the art market. Now as a collector, if you want to purchase an artist's work but don't want to pay the price of an original, a giclee print might be just the answer. Additionally, if the image that you desire is sold, a giclee would be a great substitute.

For example, if the size of an original is too big for your living space, a giclee would be perfect. Also, newlyweds, first- time or younger collectors, those on a budget, or possibly even those looking for presents,friends, kids, and even adult children are great candidates for a giclee purchase. Hotel and bar owners and other businesses might want the look of an original artwork but not want to risk displaying one in public areas. People needing multiples of the same image could also purchase giclees.

On canvas particularly, the giclee process gives the impression of a real painting. Giclee prints are nothing like posters or large run offset lithographs. They are works of art themselves and are now widely sold, according to The Wall Street Journal even grossing high profits in the secondary market.

Before you purchase a Giclee print

A fine art quality giclee print should be printed on acid free, 100% rag paper or cotton canvas with pigmented archival inks. Always note whether the edition is specified as a limited edition.

Also, you should ask a lot of questions. What kind of paper or canvas was used? Was it acid free, 100% rag paper? What kind of printer was used? What kind of inks? Is the entire process archival? You can even ask to feel the paper. Is it a signed, limited edition? Is it a remarque? Has it been enhanced? Was it sprayed with a water-resistant UV spray or canvas varnish? If the answers to these questions are not definitive and reassuring, go somewhere else.

Signed, titled and numbered informantion. Also how do you determine prices?

Artists sign, title and indicate the specific number of a limited edition. These specifics determine the value of the print. A small limited edition (500 or fewer) will tell you the amount of images included in the edition and the number of this particular print - for example, 15/150 would be No. 15 in an edition run of 150. Since digital prints are identical, any number in a digital print run should be as valuable as another. If a print is not signed or titled and there is no mention of an edition - the value will be less as they are more like posters. However the more limited the availability of a gliclee print the higher the value can be. An A/P (artist's proof) has traditionally been more valuable. T/P (test or trial proof) or P/P (printer's proof) are other marks which indicate less value than the regular edition.

On canvas editions the title and number of edition are usually on the back of the canvas. If the piece is a remarque or enhanced (for instance hand embelished) the price will be higher.

Generally, giclee prices are quite a bit more expensive than a poster print, but substantially less than the original oil painting. Prices vary depending on the type of print, the actual size of the print, the size of the edition, whether it is paper or canvas and the artist's reputation. The advantage to buying a giclee is that there are multiple price points and so the collector can really control the cost by the choices he or she make.

Giclee printing is here to stay. It is the new collectible art form. It offers exciting possibilities for artists and great opportunities for collectors as a new archival art form. Artists are producing them and galleries are jumping in to this new market. The possibilities for artistic creativity and high quality giclee printing will just get better and better.