giclee

Giclee is a high‑quality commercial printing process that uses a standard inkjet printer, typically a large‑format model equipped with multiple pigment‑based inks. The term combines the French word « giclée » meaning “to splash” and the adjective “gorgeous” to describe the vibrant colors and fine detail that can be achieved. Unlike conventional lithography or screen printing, a giclee printer deposits droplets of ink directly onto the substrate—paper, canvas, or specialty media—allowing for subtle tonal transitions and a wide color gamut.

The process began in the 1980s, when photo‑inkjet technology matured and artists and museums sought a reproducible way to produce fine art prints on a scale comparable to original paintings. Early adopters used printer resolution of 300 dots‑per‑inch (dpi), but modern machines routinely reach 1200 dpi or higher, enabling the capture of microscopic brush strokes and intricate textures. Pigment inks used in giclee printing are lightfast and water‑based, offering archival stability and resistance to fading when stored properly.

Giclee prints are prized for their ability to replicate the appearance of original artwork, including the weight and finish of the paper or canvas. Printmakers often employ archival papers such as italics paper, coated canvas, or high‑calendered stock, selecting the finish (matte, semi‑gloss, or gloss) to suit artistic intent. Artists and galleries produce limited editions, with each print often signed and numbered, to maintain the value of the original.

Because giclee printing requires no physical contact with the artwork, it protects delicate originals from handling damage. The process also allows digital manipulation of the image before printing, offering flexibility in color grading, cropping, and resolution adjustments. As a result, giclee has become the preferred method for distributing high‑end portrait, landscape, and fine art reproductions worldwide.