What is a Giclée Print?

Giclée (pronounced "zhee-clay")reproductions were first developed in 1989 as a digital method of fine art printing. The word Giclée is French for "to spray on" or "to spray ink." The images are scanned and digitally stored in a computer and sent directly to a high resolution, inkjet printer. Unlike other printing methods, each image is sent to the inkjet printer INDIVIDUALLY. Because each piece is individually produced, you can order one reproduction at a time if desired.

A variety of substrates can be used. This includes archival watercolor papers (such as Arches, Somerset, Laguna), glossy paper and cotton duck canvas. The prints may be hand embellished by the artist using paint, ink and gold foil stamping for a mixed media effect. This gives EACH REPRODUCTION a SIMILAR LOOK and FEEL to an ORIGINAL WORK OF ART.

Quoted from Digital Fine Art Magazine: "A giclée is the closest thing a collector can have to an original...From excellent reproduction of originals to enhancements and manipulations of images on the computer, giclées are opening the door for artists to expand their potential. As the quality and longevity of giclée prints continue to improve, more and more artists are embracing the digital process as they discover a new tool that expands their artistic horizons." (From an article, "Why Artists Like Giclèes" by Jane Karlicek)

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