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Digital Imaging and Print Services for Photographers and Artists 13 Moorfield Ave, Rosebud, Vic, Aust. (03) 5982 2621 / 0423 168 059 |
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What Is Giclée Printing? Well known to artists for its use in fine art reproduction, Giclée printing is increasingly being used by professional photographers as well as those who want a special print of their own photos. Simply, it is the best photo printing and art reproduction method yet devised. Giclée (Gee-clay) is the term given to digital printing using special ink jet printers on a matte material. However, to qualify as a true Giclée print, several conditions must be met. Firstly, the printer must be of a particular type. Typically, a Giclée printer will have 8, or even 12, colour cartridges. At The Giclée Studio, we use the Epson 4800 and 9800. These are generally considered to be the best available, and we really, really like them. But there’s more… The ink is as important as the printer. After all, that’s what the print actually is. If ink quality is compromised, the quality of the print is compromised. The Giclée Studio does not use third party inks. The quality provided by genuine Epson Ultra Chrome K3 ink is unparalleled. This is a pigment ink, waterproof and UV resistant and a Giclée Studio canvas print can be cleaned with a damp cloth. Providing vibrant colours and subtle tonal gradations, the Epson ink is unequalled for either colour or black and white. Independent testing (wilhelm_research.com) has shown that, when properly displayed, colour prints will last for 80+ years and Black and White will last 200+ years, without appreciable deterioration. Prints on canvas, and other media that won’t be displayed behind glass, also require a special coating. The Giclée Studio uses a specially formulated, Australian made, acrylic coating. This provides greater UV protection, protection from atmospheric contaminants, contains anti-fungal agents and helps avoid accidental damage, such as scratches. Finally, if a canvas print is to be stretched, the stretching frame should also be coated with the acrylic, in order to avoid discolouration of the print by chemical leaching. The frame should also have rounded edges to prevent the coating cracking. (When ordering a print, you will receive a sheet of instructions for your framer to follow.) At The Giclée Studio, we are proud to provide a Giclée Printing service of the highest possible quality. |
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