What is a giclée print?

My giclée prints are made by direct digital scanning of my painting using a Phase-One FX+ digital back producing 10,500 x 12,600 pixels with a 500 MB un-interpolated scan. The combination of the quality of the photographic equipment, the camera, lenses, digital back, and HMI continuous lighting of 8000 watts all assist in capturing all of the nuances and detail in the artwork. The ability to capture the digital information accurately and precisely is a marriage of the technical and artistic ability of the operator and the quality of the equipment being used.

Digital art is confusing because many people do not realize that the computer is simply a tool used in the production of this craft. Just because a computer is used, doesn’t mean a print is produced by a press of a button. The process involves constant collaboration between artist and the technician/printer, the better the technician, the better the print.

Using a color management system the scan is manipulated to achieve the desired results on the computer screen. A hard copy of the proof is then printed onto the selected substrate to evaluate the colors. This process is carried out many times to adjust colors and saturation. Once the desired results are achieved, the image is stored, the image may then be printed.

Giclée prints are now widely shown and distributed throughout the world. The main reasons for the acceptance of the Giclée print and its notable growth is its quality. Artists are immediately taken with the look and feel of the Giclée because of the use of archival stock and its rich colors. The advantage of the giclée process is the flexibility; prints can be produced on demand in different sizes and substrates to satisfy client’s needs.

In reproducing my giclée prints, I became aware that many colors cannot be reproduced exactly as painted. In order to differentiate my giclée’s, I embellish each print by over-painting certain areas to make each print one of a kind.

The types of printers used for giclée have increased in size, number of manufacturer’s and materials that can be printed on. I have printed on numerous printers but at present am having my prints printed with UV curable inks. This enables me to offer canvas prints up to 86″ wide and rigid substrates in 4' x 8'  panels for interior and exterior use. The list of rigid substrates outdoor prints is endless and art tiles can now be made on aluminum, stainless steel, ceramic tiles and plexi-glass just to name a few.