Fine Art Giclée Publishing

Open edition prints are not fine art giclées. Nor are all "so-called" giclées true giclées! Buyer beware! There are strict guidelines that must be followed to produce a true fine art giclée. An independent research facility such as Wilhelm is constantly testing various printers, papers and UV sprays to determine the longevity of these fine art giclées. We follow their guidelines to ensure you are purchasing a legitimate product that will withstand the test of time.

Giclée means "spraying of ink". Originally only a specific type of printer (an Iris printer) was used to create fine art giclées. However the Iris printer was limited by resolution (600 dpi or dots per inch) and the type of ink used (dye based inks or water soluble inks). As technology evolved, the Iris printer was replaced by inkjet piezzo printers such as Epson, Hewlett-Packard, Roland and others. These printers allow a much higher resolution - up to 2400 dpi - and use pigmented inks. Pigmented inks, unlike dye-based inks, do not fade over time and are waterproof.

A fine art giclée is produced on a specific inkjet printer (Epson 7600, 9500, etc.) using pigmented inks and archival papers. The archival papers are coated to bond with the pigmented inks.  A UV laminate spray is applied to the final print to further protect against UV fading and abrasion. A true fine are giclée is a limited edition series and each giclée will have a certificate of authenticity. The certificate of authenticity will state the type of paper used (i.e. Epson Somerset Enhanced Velvet 225 gsm watercolor paper), that pigmented inks and a UV spray have been used and the edition size including artist's proofs. A reputable publisher of fine art giclées should also include information on how to care for your fine art giclées including information on framing and hanging suggestions for the framed piece.

Open edition prints are not fine art giclées for several reasons - there is no limit on the number that can be printed nor is there any information on how they were printed. The paper and ink is probably not archival and the print will have a limited life span.  Artists have been know to use their desktop printers or copy machines to make prints. The paper and the ink used are probably not archival. These prints may begin fading within a few months. As degradation continues, the paper may turn yellow due to acid content and the image will begin to blur and become fuzzy.

A true fine art giclée will clearly state the materials that have been used to create this fine art and will always have a certificate of authenticity from a reputable publisher. An educated consumer will not be fooled by imitations.