giclee prints
digital images are all well and good, and for many purposes they are the only viable option – social media, websites etc. on the other hand, holding print is an entirely different experience in much the same way as the difference between a digital book/magazine and the paper version. There is something ‘warm’ about holding the paper. Even the image itself is enhanced by the way the surface texture reflects the light. Gloss surfaces embolden colour; semi-gloss surfaces enhance subtleties in tone; matt paper is great for high contrast monochrome prints.
I print many of my images using a high-end (9 pigment based ink) inkjet printer on high quality photographic paper. giclee prints are high quality inkjet prints using pigment ink and heavy duty photographic art paper, both of which resist fading, yellowing or breaking down. for many decades, typically around 70 – 100+ years. They are reserved for high value (often art) prints. If you are offered a giclee print for sale, it should come with a certificate stating what paper and inks were used, and you should look for the following to be able to qualify as ‘archival quality’:
- paper characteristics – it should be acid-free, lignin-free (lignin breaks down over time and damages the paper), base material should be made from cotton rag or alpha-cellulose (preferably rag) as these are very durable. It should also record the ‘weight’ of the paper – at least 250gsm, and preferably heavier
- inks: the certificate should state that pigment inks were used, and hopefully the printer used and/or the number of ink colours. Dye based inks are prone to fading.
Here is a sample of my giclee prints, all printed on archival quality matt or semi-gloss paper of around 300gsm. All are available for sale @ £25 to £40 each (depending on image size) plus post and packaging.
Email me for more information.
