About Giclee Printing

The Definition

Giclee (zhee-klay) - The French word "giclée" that means a spray or a spurt of liquid. The word may have been derived from the French verb "gicler" meaning "to squirt". 

The Term

The term  "giclee print" connotes an elevation in printmaking technology. Images are generated from high resolution digital scans and printed with archival quality inks onto various substrates including canvas, fine art, and photo-base paper. The giclee printing process provides better colour accuracy than other means of reproduction. 

The Process

Giclee prints are created typically using professional 8-Color to 12-Color ink-jet printers. These modern technology printers along with the use of archival pigmented inks are capable of producing incredibly detailed prints for both the fine art and photographic markets.


The Quality

The quality of the giclee print rivals traditional silver-halide and gelatin printing processes and is commonly found in museums, art galleries, and photographic galleries. Like silver-halide and gelatin prints, our giclee prints will be stable for generations of enjoyment if you display them and store them properly. In general, keep them out of direct sunlight and behind display glass as much as possible. Fine art prints should be professionally mounted on acid free board.

Collectable Art Form

The Giclee is an art form that is accepted by leading artists, galleries and collectors. Numerous examples of giclee prints can be found in New York City at the Metropolitan Museum, the Museum of Modern Art, the Chelsea Galleries, and in London at the Tate Modern, The Photographers Gallery, and numerous other galleries around the world.