FAQ

In its most basic definition, giclée is a French term for “to spray”. It references the process that an inkjet printer uses to reproduce fine art or photography to create individual copies of the original piece. It is important to note that not all inkjet prints are giclée prints. With giclée printing, you can expect a higher quality product that lasts longer than your run-of-the-mill inkjet prints and there are certain criteria that must be met for a print to be considered a giclée. To uphold the quality of a true giclée, the resolution must be at least 300 dots per inch (DPI). Think about when you zoom in on a photograph. The more you zoom in, the more distorted the image becomes. To maintain the integrity of the work, you must increase the DPI because the more dots there are in a small space, the more detailed the final product becomes. The next aspect to consider is what printer is used to print your giclée. The type of printer used to produce a giclée print will impact the quality of the end product. Technical skills and stable equipment can make or break the giclée. Additionally, check the ink of the printer. The ink used for a giclée printer should be pigment-based, while a lower grade inkjet printer will use dye-based ink. For giclée printing, the paper must be archival quality to ensure the longevity of the artwork. Canvas is essentially a fabric that has been specially prepared to handle and retain high-quality pigmented inks. It is sturdy and has archival properties, like archival paper, which means it is acid-free and will hold up to the standards set for a giclée.

When it comes to giclée prints, there are two main types of materials that you can choose from – paper or canvas. So, which is better? Generally speaking, canvas wall art is typically worth more than those on paper. So, monetarily, canvas prints win most of the time. Both paper and canvas prints have their own unique benefits that make them ideal for different purposes. So let’s take a look at the advantages and disadvantages of both types of prints. Benefits of Giclée Canvas Prints Texture: Canvas prints have a more artistic look to them. The texture of the canvas adds dimension and interest to the print, which can make it more visually appealing than a paper print. Moisture-Proof: Although not waterproof, canvas prints can typically withstand high-humidity rooms, like bathrooms and kitchens. UV Protection: Canvas prints can also be varnished or lacquered for protection, whereas paper prints are more vulnerable to damage from UV light. Varnishing a canvas print can change its appearance, making it look glossy and less like a painting. Framed or Unframed: Another benefit of canvas prints is that they have a more finished look compared to paper prints. Canvas prints can be hung without a frame. Drawbacks of Giclée Canvas Prints Cost: "One downside to canvas prints is that they can be more expensive than paper prints." Canvas prints often require more money, time, and effort to create, as the image has to be printed onto the canvas and then stretched or mounted onto a frame. Benefits of Giclée Paper Prints Affordability: Since paper is less expensive than canvas, paper prints tend to be more affordable than canvas prints. Plus, paper prints can be produced more easily than canvas prints, so there is less overhead cost associated with paper prints. Elegant: A paper print in a frame looks refined and classy. So, if you’re looking for something that will really make a statement and bring an air of elegance to the room, framed paper prints are the way to go. Drawbacks of Giclée Canvas Prints Less Durable: Paper prints can be damaged more easily than canvas prints as they’re more susceptible to damage from water and humidity if the frame isn’t moisture-proof. Framing: A paper print won’t look as refined without a frame. Plus, you really need a frame to protect your print from dust, dirt, and other environmental damage.

Giclée prints are less expensive than the original work of art but more expensive than traditional prints. If you’re considering whether or not to invest in a print, you’re probably wondering if the extra cost of a giclée print is worth it. This is a question that many people ask when they are looking for artwork for their home. With the popularity and advancing techniques of producing giclée prints, it’s getting harder to tell the difference between paintings and premium giclée prints. Here are some of the standards that a giclée print must meet in order to be considered a giclée. Giclée prints are essentially inkjet prints. The main benefit of using an inkjet printer is that its printing process provides museum-quality prints. Giclées are made using archival pigment-based inks. If kept in darkness and in specific environmental conditions, pigment-based inks can last up to 200 years without noticeable fading or yellowing. Giclée prints are often used by artists to make limited-edition prints of their work, as they are extremely accurate reproductions and high-quality." They’re often signed and numbered by the artist. Giclée prints have a much wider color gamut. This means that they can reproduce more colors, making them more accurate representations of the original image. Giclée prints also have a higher resolution than traditional prints, meaning that they will be sharper and more detailed. Under standard home or office lighting, without sunlight, you can expect a framed giclée printed on the highest-quality fine art paper to last up to 85 years without any noticeable fading. (Any artwork exposed to sunlight will fade.) Additionally, giclée prints are made with a finer quality of paper or canvas that is acid-free and of archival quality. This means they will have better longevity and look better over time compared to non-giclée prints. Even though a giclée print is a reproduction (a copy), one advantage of buying limited-edition giclée prints is they usually increase in value over time because of their premium quality and rarity. They typically become more valuable as the artist becomes more well-known, retires, or passes away, so they’re definitely worth collecting. Giclée prints are more expensive than other types of prints, but they are also more durable and the printing process allows for a lot of detail and color to be captured in the print. If you want something that will last a long time and look great, then a giclée print is probably a good investment. "Or, if you plan on buying art as an investment and you can’t afford an original work of art, then a limited edition giclée print is a financially viable alternative."

In the world of prints, there are many factors, but one of the major differences lies between an open edition and limited edition prints. A limited edition print is so named because its run, the number of these prints that are created and sold, is limited to a specific number, say, 500. Each run is determined by size and any other qualifying factors; for instance, you can have a limited edition run of an image and you purchase the 5th print sold, then somewhere on the print will be written 5/500, which indicates that your print is the 5th piece out of a total of 500 to be created in this particular run. The print may be signed by the artist (if the artist is alive), and if so, will be of increased value. It also may include a Certificate of Authenticity, a piece of paper or form that lists out the run size, the number of your print in the run, and information on inks and paper or canvas, and the date that the print was created. A limited edition print is signed, on archival quality paper or canvas using archival quality inks, and accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity will likely cost more than an open edition print (but significantly less than the original painting), simply because it has been in more direct contact with the artist. On the other hand an open edition print does not have a print run size and will be printed until the image is retired. They also will not have print number, artist signature or a Certificate of Authenticity, but they are printed with the same printing techniques with the same archival quality paper or canvas using the same archival quality inks as the limited edition prints.

Giclée Prints Canvas Giclée prints are an excellent way to bring the beauty of an image to life on canvas material. As an affordable alternative to original paintings, they offer the same aesthetic appeal that canvas provides. By printing a high-quality image onto canvas material and stretching it over a wooden frame, a durable and long-lasting piece of art is created. It’s an excellent addition to any home, office, or public space. One of the main benefits of canvas prints is their affordability, making them an accessible option for those on a budget. They are lightweight and easy to hang, making them a hassle-free choice for displaying artwork. However, while canvas prints are an excellent option for many people, they do have some drawbacks. For example, they may lack the uniqueness of an original painting and the texture and depth that come with it. Original Paintings As an art form that has stood the test of time, paintings are a timeless expression of creativity. Utilizing mediums such as oil, acrylic, or watercolor, paint is applied to a surface, usually canvas or paper, to create a unique work of art. One of the most significant benefits of paintings is their one-of-a-kind nature, making each piece original and impossible to replicate. They provide a depth and texture that cannot be found in canvas prints, creating a visually stunning addition to any space. Paintings also offer a rich and vibrant color palette that can add a pop of color to any room. While paintings are undoubtedly breathtaking, they can be quite costly, making them inaccessible to some individuals. Additionally, they can be heavy and require professional installation. Paintings are a stunning form of art that have been around for centuries. Being unique pieces of art that an artist creates with their own hands, their originality and unique texture and depth make them a worthwhile investment for anyone looking to add a touch of creativity to their space.

Have you ever fallen in love with a piece of artwork at a gallery or art show and then had sticker shock when you looked at the price tag? It can be disconcerting to compare the cost of original art to the cost of prints. Here’s why original paintings are absolutely worth the higher cost. Original artwork is one of a kind. This is an object made by the hand of the artist and it is unique. No one else will have this piece. You will not see it in stores, in galleries, or at your friends' homes. When you purchase original art you become part of the artistic process, continuing the journey that began with the artist’s first glimmer of an idea. Original art allows you to see details in the brushwork and texture that are just not visible on a print. These are the nuances that the artist consciously manipulated in order to create the feel of the painting. The original gives you the full visual experience and is the same object that the artist labored over for many hours and finally signed with satisfaction. One of the reasons that an original oil painting is much richer than a print is because it expresses the culmination of the artist's creative voyage and discoveries to that point. All the trial and error over years of honing their craft result in a sophisticated mix of materials, technique, and vision that is much more evident in the original than in the print. Your purchase also supports the arts. One of the most important reasons to buy original art is that you are supporting the arts in your community and in the world. The richness of our artistic expression as a culture depends on artists being able to support themselves as they create original artwork.