Giclee Printing

Giclee is a French term meaning “to spray” referring to how an inkjet printer works and how giclee prints are usually produced. These large format inkjet printers use small spraying devices that can both match colour and apply ink precisely, giving artists a high-quality print. Printers typically are able to hold 12 ink cartridges which produce a wider range of colour for duplicating artwork.

To be able to make such a high-quality print, the camera or scanner used to capture or scan the art must be able to do so with a high level of resolution. Most digital photos are recorded at a resolution of 72dpi “dots per inch” and the image file of an art print needs to be at least 300dpi i.e. the more dots of colour that can be printed in a small area, the more detailed the final image will appear.

At one time artists created and sold their original artwork and moved onto the next one. That is no longer the case and providing it is made clear to the purchaser of the original work that a limited number of prints are being produced and sold revenue can be created by the production of high-quality limited edition prints of all sizes. In addition, cards can be created and sold from the original work.

For some Picturesque clients this has been a highly successful and profitable way forward. Not only do they see more reward from their work, into which they have put so much time and effort, but they are reaching an audience that perhaps cannot afford the acquire the original work.

Sometimes a quality Giclee Print can enhance the original and also be indecipherable as against the original.

Artist have the option to create limited edition or open edition prints. The number of limited-edition prints must be carefully chosen and no more can be created after they are sold. On the other hand, open edition prints offer artists a constant source of additional income.