What is a Giclee Print?

The biggest difference between a standard inkjet print and a giclée print is that giclées are printed using pigment-based inks rather than dye-based inks that are found in lower-cost inkjets. Pigment-based inks have a longer lifespan: they can last anywhere from 100 - 200 years without significant fading.

There are two factors to consider when choosing between archival paper and canvas for giclées: price, and matting/framing requirements.

Options: Paper vs Canvas

You have the choice of buying a giclée on archival paper or canvas. For giclée printing, the paper must be archival quality to ensure the longevity of the artwork. Canvas is essentially a fabric that has been specially prepared to handle and retain high-quality pigmented inks. It is sturdy and has archival properties, which means it is acid-free and will hold up. In terms of price, printing on paper is generally much less than printing on canvas. The thicker, fabric-type material of high-quality canvas is more expensive than that of high-quality paper. The process necessary to create giclée prints on paper is less intensive and therefore more budget-friendly.

To Frame or Not to Frame? - What is the cost of protecting and framing the artwork?

Paper: To maintain the integrity of a giclée print on paper, it is important to protect the work behind UV glass or UV acrylic. An acid-free mat or two and quality-frame are recommended, which oftentimes are more expensive than the giclée itself. Gretchen offers custom picture framing in house.

Canvas: Depending on your aesthetic preference, you have the choice to hang the canvas free of frame, with a traditional frame, or with a modern floating frame. A floating frame is exactly what it sounds like: there is a small gap between the canvas and the frame edges, which creates the illusion of a floating giclée within the frame.