What is a Giclée, Anyway?

Do you know what a giclée print really is?

The term ‘giclée’ comes with tons of misconceptions that can result in some polarizing conversations.

It has nothing to do with a gel coating, cotton weave, framing, or whether the initial image was made from paint, ink, or photograph.

Simply put, a giclée is a high quality print made using an 8 to 12-color inkjet printer and archival paper.

That’s it! The French word means to ‘splash’, which is what an ink jet printer essentially does - it sprays a wide spectrum of long-lasting inks with precision onto the high quality surface of your choice.

Ordinary prints use only 3 pigments + black, which results in duller, less vibrant colors. The ink is not as long lasting (archival) and cheaper paper is often used, so your images will fade over time. Giclées by contrast offer rich, long-lasting color and can be customized to fit nearly any size you wish to create.

Another type of print - photo prints - exposes physical photo negatives or digital files onto the surface of chemically reactive paper to recreate an image, which can result in some lovely, but shorter-lived images. The quality, vibrancy, and longevity of giclee printing have made it the industry choice among professional artists and photographers.

Define Long-Lasting, Please

When properly cared for, a giclee print can last at least 100 to 200 years without obvious fading. UV conditions can hasten fading, so it’s important to keep art prints out of direct sunlight. Framing with conservation glass is preferred. Prints may also be varnished with UV protective coating to extend the life of the inks.

Easel uses a 12-color pigment ink system on an Epson printer capable of producing images up to 44” x 50’ large. Our papers were hand-selected for their acid-free quality and exquisite feel.

Contact us to start printing today!