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This guide includes a brief history and description of the process. Following that there are two major distinctions I'd like to make between Giclée prints and the other processes for printing editions (limited or open) such as serigraphy, lithography, etching, engraving, etc.
The term "Giclée" (pronounced "zhee-clay") was coined in 1991 by Jack Duganne, a printmaker, to represent any ink-jet-based digital print used as fine art. The process was (and still is) known by its industrial name, "Iris proofs," Iris printers were originally developed to produce pre-press proofs from digital files for jobs where color matching was critical such as product containers and magazine publication. As such the prints were throwaways used only briefly. They were not intended to be preserved for any length of time and the color substantially faded after just a few years. As artists discovered the Iris printers they found a method of quickly reproducing their work and increasing their income. But the association with the ephemeral Iris proofs limited the print’s appeal. As the inks improved and the materials that the printers could accommodate became more varied and better in quality a new name was warranted. Hence the "invention" of the Giclée print.
First, and in my opinion, most important is that these prints are not hand-created. Although there are photo-mechanical, machine printed examples of all the fine art printing techniques the majority of all signed, limited edition fine art prints are hand printed one print at a time in a labor intensive process. The printing, or pulling of the impression, is an integral part of the artist's creative process. The Giclée process involves only loading the print tray with paper and telling the computer how many copies to print. This distinction may only be important to purists like me and to serious collectors looking for archival qualities in the work they purchase.
At best a Giclée print is a reproduction of a work of art. Just like a picture in a magazine, it's a copy of something else. In general when making a lithograph the artist draws directly on the lithographic stone, the serigraph is created on the screen, and a metal plate is drawn on or cut into in making etchings and engravings; the impressions are pulled from the original work. There is a single exception to Giclées being only a copy. When an artwork is computer generated the print is quite similar to one created in the other printing processes.
The second distinction I'd like to make concerns the longevity of the image; its archival qualities. A serigraph printed on Arches paper with quality screen inks will last hundreds of years without substantial fading or yellowing. The same is true for a color lithograph. Lithographs, etchings and engravings printed with black ink on 100% cotton paper will last even longer. As far as I know there is no color pigment used in ink jet printing cartridges that has color fastness comparable to that in artist's materials.
The term "Giclée" once meant a very specific process but it has become degraded and meaningless as it has come to be associated with any print using fade-resistant "archival" inks. As such it is often no longer capitalized and lacking the accent mark becoming "giclee." Often, as well, it is misused to describe any ink-jet print being sold as “art.” Worse yet only the high-end ink-jet printers use solvent based inks. The ink used in lmost all desktop ink-jet printers is water soluble. Where wetting a high quality Giclée printed on archival cotton paper wouldn't do it any good it also shouldn't do it much harm. With a lower-quality ink-jet print getting it wet will cause the ink to run completely ruining your print. Even getting the print damp may cause the color to "bleed."
I’ve frequently seen "works of art" being sold on eBay and other venues with the word "print" or "Giclée" almost hidden in the description. The unwary buyer can be easily duped into purchasing what they think is an original work of art when it is only a copy.
So, caveat emptor.
Is there ever a good reason to purchase a Giclée print? I have done so and do not condemn them as "bad" without exception. I've bought them when the original was not available (or too expensive for my wallet) and I liked the image. I did not and would not purchase one as an investment. Simply be informed about what you are buying, buy what you like and if it supports a living artist then so much the better.
Thanks for reading.
For a contrary opinion see What Is A Giclée Print?
Please spare two seconds to click the YES link at the end of this page if you find this guide interesting, useful, or informative. It makes all my effort feel worthwhile. NOTE: You must be logged into your eBay account with your user ID or your vote will not be counted. But, if you don't find this guide helpful please send me suggestions on how to make it better. I will be making periodic updates to the guide so your suggestions will be very helpful to me. Thank you.
The term "Giclée" (pronounced "zhee-clay") was coined in 1991 by Jack Duganne, a printmaker, to represent any ink-jet-based digital print used as fine art. The process was (and still is) known by its industrial name, "Iris proofs," Iris printers were originally developed to produce pre-press proofs from digital files for jobs where color matching was critical such as product containers and magazine publication. As such the prints were throwaways used only briefly. They were not intended to be preserved for any length of time and the color substantially faded after just a few years. As artists discovered the Iris printers they found a method of quickly reproducing their work and increasing their income. But the association with the ephemeral Iris proofs limited the print’s appeal. As the inks improved and the materials that the printers could accommodate became more varied and better in quality a new name was warranted. Hence the "invention" of the Giclée print.
First, and in my opinion, most important is that these prints are not hand-created. Although there are photo-mechanical, machine printed examples of all the fine art printing techniques the majority of all signed, limited edition fine art prints are hand printed one print at a time in a labor intensive process. The printing, or pulling of the impression, is an integral part of the artist's creative process. The Giclée process involves only loading the print tray with paper and telling the computer how many copies to print. This distinction may only be important to purists like me and to serious collectors looking for archival qualities in the work they purchase.
At best a Giclée print is a reproduction of a work of art. Just like a picture in a magazine, it's a copy of something else. In general when making a lithograph the artist draws directly on the lithographic stone, the serigraph is created on the screen, and a metal plate is drawn on or cut into in making etchings and engravings; the impressions are pulled from the original work. There is a single exception to Giclées being only a copy. When an artwork is computer generated the print is quite similar to one created in the other printing processes.
The second distinction I'd like to make concerns the longevity of the image; its archival qualities. A serigraph printed on Arches paper with quality screen inks will last hundreds of years without substantial fading or yellowing. The same is true for a color lithograph. Lithographs, etchings and engravings printed with black ink on 100% cotton paper will last even longer. As far as I know there is no color pigment used in ink jet printing cartridges that has color fastness comparable to that in artist's materials.
The term "Giclée" once meant a very specific process but it has become degraded and meaningless as it has come to be associated with any print using fade-resistant "archival" inks. As such it is often no longer capitalized and lacking the accent mark becoming "giclee." Often, as well, it is misused to describe any ink-jet print being sold as “art.” Worse yet only the high-end ink-jet printers use solvent based inks. The ink used in lmost all desktop ink-jet printers is water soluble. Where wetting a high quality Giclée printed on archival cotton paper wouldn't do it any good it also shouldn't do it much harm. With a lower-quality ink-jet print getting it wet will cause the ink to run completely ruining your print. Even getting the print damp may cause the color to "bleed."
I’ve frequently seen "works of art" being sold on eBay and other venues with the word "print" or "Giclée" almost hidden in the description. The unwary buyer can be easily duped into purchasing what they think is an original work of art when it is only a copy.
So, caveat emptor.
Is there ever a good reason to purchase a Giclée print? I have done so and do not condemn them as "bad" without exception. I've bought them when the original was not available (or too expensive for my wallet) and I liked the image. I did not and would not purchase one as an investment. Simply be informed about what you are buying, buy what you like and if it supports a living artist then so much the better.
Please spare two seconds to click the YES link at the end of this page if you find this guide interesting, useful, or informative. It makes all my effort feel worthwhile. NOTE: You must be signed into your eBay account with your user ID or your vote will not be counted. But, if you don't find this guide helpful please send me suggestions on how to make it better. I plan on making periodic updates to the guide so your suggestions will be helpful to me.
Thanks for reading.
For a contrary opinion see What Is A Giclée Print?
Guide created: 03/24/09 (updated 10/31/09)
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