Comprehensive analysis of giclee art

We've been working with giclee prints for over 13 years. We're familiar with both desktop and large-format giclee printers, and we've printed on a wide variety of high-quality photo papers of varying textures and brands.

I hope this article, "A Comprehensive Analysis of Giclee Prints," will help you gain relevant information, answer your questions, and evaluate whether Giclee Prints are suitable for your work. This will serve as a prelude to your own journey of discovery.

What is giclee print?

Giclée printing is an innovative digital printing technology developed in the 1990s. This innovative printing technique emerged as traditional printing techniques could no longer meet the high-quality demands for reproducing artworks. The term giclée was coined by French-American painter Jack Duganne, who adapted the French word "giclée" (meaning "to spray") to describe this emerging printing technique.

Giclee printing utilizes an inkjet printer to print digital images of paintings and photographs directly onto photographic paper, canvas, and other specialized surfaces. Giclee printing is renowned for its ability to faithfully reproduce the details and color gradations of the original, making it a popular choice among photography enthusiasts, artists, and collectors of graphic art.

Application of Art Giclee

1. Image output

Whether it's black-and-white or color photography, giclee printing is arguably the most popular method for printing. Photographers and artists can choose different paper materials based on the subject matter, including figurative photography, portraits, lifestyle photography, street photography, landscape photography, still life, abstract photography, and surrealist photography, as well as their own preferences for the final medium.

Paper materials will be introduced in the following chapters.

2. Copy the painting

Whether it's an original painting or an electronic drawing, as long as the image and text are converted into a digital file through high-resolution scanning or reproduction technology, the painting can be reproduced into a digital print through art giclee printing. It is very suitable for prints, illustrations, watercolors, oil paintings, Chinese paintings, sketches, as well as various calligraphy, manuscripts and other works, and for the printing and output of reproductions.

The benefits of giclee print

1. It is a collection-level medium recognized by the art museum

The art of giclee printing has reached a very mature stage and has been recognized by national collections such as art galleries and museums. The most direct evidence of this is that the vast majority of photographs in the collection of Taiwan's Art Bank are labeled "Photographic Digital Output, Photo Paper."

When we see such a label, we know that the output medium of the work is art micro-spray.

2. High-resolution and high-quality media

In addition to the fact that giclée printing technology is a high-definition printing technology, professional giclée printing centers also maintain the stability of output colors through regular color management. Therefore, the printed artworks are exquisitely detailed, with no color distortion and high image quality.

It is worth noting that if the resolution of the original digital file image itself is not high enough, it will affect the image quality and resolution of the final art giclee print.

In other words, the resolution of the giclee print will depend on the resolution of the digital image file:

• The original file has a high resolution, so the final work will be clear and detailed.
• If the resolution of the original file is not high enough, the quality and details of the giclee print will be faithfully presented based on the quality of the original file (which will affect the output in proportion).

3. Can be customized in small quantities, high flexibility

• The advantage of digital printing is that it can be produced in single sheets, with the flexibility of small customization and no pressure of minimum print quantity.
• Even for the same digital image file, the creator can choose and decide the final output paper material according to different time points, different moods, and different interpretations.

Disadvantages of Giclee

At the beginning of the article, we mentioned the output methods of art giclee:

"Giclee printing uses an inkjet printer to print digital images of paintings and photographs directly onto photographic paper, canvas, and other special surfaces using inkjet technology."

Because giclee printing uses a direct output method, the ink remains on the surface of the paper when the work is printed. Therefore, the disadvantages of this type of digital output come from:

1. The ink is in direct contact with the air without protection

According to the recommendations of NEDCC (Northeast Documentation and Preservation Center), the ideal preservation environment for giclee prints is:

• Relative humidity below 50%, with an optimal range of 30–40% RH
• Temperature below 21°C, optimal storage temperature is 18–21°C

If the display or storage space cannot achieve such temperature and humidity control conditions, the art micro-spray works will easily develop problems such as mold, fading, and deterioration .

If you'd like a deeper understanding of the storage lifespans and risks associated with different digital output methods, we've compiled an extended article that provides a clear comparison and storage recommendations, covering everything from digital output types and material differences to common degradation phenomena. [Digital Output Types, Degradation, and Storage Tips]

2. Paper as the base material, the inevitable fragility of paper

Even if professional framing is used and high-quality acrylic transparent board protection is used, it only reduces the risk of the paper being directly exposed to the air and cannot change the nature of the paper itself, which is not waterproof or moisture-resistant.

More notably, the recent rise of the "frameless painting" style often involves presenting giclee prints in a bare frame – without acrylic glass or protective layers, exposing the photographs directly to the air . While this can enhance the sense of presence during viewing, it also increases the risk of damage to the work.

If you've already gained a basic understanding of giclee print applications, paper selection, and printing characteristics, or are considering giclee printing, you might also be concerned about: How durable are such works? Will Taiwan's hot and humid climate have an impact?

We've written an extended article, drawing on test reports from international research institutions and combined with Taiwan's historical climate data, to comprehensively analyze the durability and preservation recommendations of giclee prints in real-world environments : " Giclee Prints and Taiwan's Climate: An Analysis of Giclee Prints' Durability ."

New proposal: ChromaLuxe Metallic Photo

If you're also troubled by the shortcomings of giclee prints mentioned above, you might be interested in exploring a new type of photo medium: how "metal photos" can solve your problems!

Here's a quick comparison of the characteristics of giclee prints and metallic prints. Welcome to learn more about ChromaLuxe metallic prints.

characteristic	Art giclee	Metal Photos
substrate	Photo paper such as EPSON, ILFORD, etc.	ChromaLuxe Aluminum Sheet
Process Principle	Digital output ink stays on the surface of the paper	Digital output + heat transfer technology, after the complex process is completed, the ink is integrated into the special coating on the surface
Collection Level	Collection Level	Collection Level
resolution	High resolution, sharp images	Medium resolution, natural presentation
Storage conditions	Optimal: Keep at 21°C/relative humidity below 50% (Not suitable for Taiwan's hot and humid environment)	No specific storage conditions are required (suitable for Taiwan environment, even bathrooms and kitchens are OK)
Waterproof	Not waterproof or moisture-resistant (paper has pores, moisture can penetrate the paper)	Waterproof and moisture-proof (the surface coating has no pores, so water vapor cannot penetrate)
Fade resistance	Not resistant to fading (paper has pores and can absorb air pollution)	Resistant to fading (the surface coating has no pores, eliminating sources of air pollution)
Scratch resistance	Not scratch-resistant (paper is not scratch-resistant, especially black ink is easy to wear)	Anti-scratch (the surface coating is made of hard material, smooth and without pores)
Pollution resistance	Not resistant to chemicals or contamination (paper has pores that absorb chemicals)	Chemical resistance and pollution resistance (The surface coating has no pores and chemicals cannot penetrate)
Cleanability	Unable to clean and wipe	Easy to clean and maintain daily (use water or cleaning alcohol to gently wipe the surface)

If you want to know, is there any way to save photos of people being splashed with coffee or ice cream?
Please refer to: "Artistic Giclee vs. Metallic Photo: Cleaning and Durability Test Results"

Types and selection of art micro-spray paper

The classification of art micro-spray paper materials can be roughly divided into the following types according to different paper qualities:

• Photo paper: smooth photo paper without grain
• Art paper: Add watercolor, Chinese painting and other painting effects to the output works, enhancing the artistic sense
• Canvas: Add an oil painting feel to your finished work

Based on our experience, different types of paper are classified as follows:

type	Paper Features/Price	Paper material selector type
photo paper	feature Base material: RC plastic and pure cotton base material Brightness: glossy, semi-glossy, pearly, metallic, etc. Features: Smooth photo paper, no grain price Wide price range: about $160-$380 per piece Affordable option: RC glue-based photo paper	First-time art giclee printmakers Those with a limited overall budget Those who prefer the texture of traditional photo paper Those who wish to focus on the details of the work itself without being affected by the paper texture
Art Paper	feature Base material: pure cotton Brightness: A few glossy surfaces, most semi-gloss or matte surfaces The paper is thicker. A few have smooth surfaces, but most have distinct and distinctive textures. price Generally speaking, more expensive Price range for European and Japanese brands: $250-$380 per item	Explore the impact of different paper textures on the presentation of your work Those who have a special preference for specific paper textures The presentation of paper textures allows the creator to express another dimension in his work. The artist who reproduces the painting with a paper texture similar to the original
canvas	feature Base material: synthetic fiber and cotton blend, and pure cotton material Brightness: glossy and matte Features: It has the texture of oil canvas, with different thicknesses of lines price Price range for European and Japanese brands: $250-$320 per item	Those who prefer oil canvas Creators who want to frame their works into frameless paintings The original work is oil painting, and the creator or collector chooses canvas as the medium for reproduction

Art giclee print shops in Taipei, Taichung, and Tainan

According to our research in August 2024, the following giclee print centers offer transparent information on their official websites, including pricing and service information for various brands of photo paper. We highly recommend these centers to everyone.

Our recommendations are arranged alphabetically by city and store. We also provide a price comparison chart for the same photo paper materials at various printing centers, allowing you to quickly understand the price ranges for different paper types.

It's worth mentioning that there are still many professional art giclée printing centers that we haven't listed here, such as Jazz Imaging and Light Spot Light House in Taipei. This is mainly because their photo paper product names and pricing information are not clear enough, so we can't list them for reference. Before deciding on printing, we recommend that you spend some time researching and make sure you have the most complete information before making a decision.

Art Giclee Taipei Store

Avocado

• Shop Features: Art Giclee Printing + Art Gallery Operation
• Paper Features: 21 paper materials available, including 11 Ilford paper materials
• Price range: $160-$380 per person
• More information: https://www.avofactory.com/fine-artprinting/pricing/

Lighto

• Store Features: Graphic Arts Creative Selection Company's art micro-spraying business, with detailed official website information and aluminum frame mounting available for purchase online.
• Paper features: 11 paper materials available
• Price range: $180-$360 per person
• More information: https://www.lightochan.com/printu

RGB Taipei

• Store Features: Specializing in Art Giclee
• Paper Features: 21 paper types available, including 10 Canson paper types
• Price range: $160-$360 per person
• More information: https://rgbtaipei.com/price

uPrint

• Shop Features: Art giclee printing + framing, the only shop that allows you to upload files online and print photos directly
• Paper features: 28 paper materials to choose from, with a variety of brand choices
• Price range: $160-$380 per person
• For more information: https://uprint.com.tw/giclee/

Art Giclee Shop in Taichung

AIC

• Store Features: Specializing in Art Giclee
• Paper features: 11 paper materials available
• Price range: $180-$380 per person
• More information: https://www.anchestudio.com/aicpaper

Art Giclee Shop in Tainan

Convenient digital printing

• Store Features: Printing company's art giclee printing business
• Paper Features: 26 paper types available, including 10 EasiColor and 11 Ilford paper types
• Price range: $150-$450 per person
• More information: https://www.5214.tw/index.php/giclee-price

Art giclee prices at different stores

We were curious about the prices at each of the six giclee print centers listed above, assuming the same photo paper or canvas material is used. Therefore, we've compiled a price list for 11 popular paper materials. It's important to note that each giclee print center has slightly different paper selection and paper supply methods, so the paper materials listed here represent those commonly stocked by most stores and are not necessarily our recommended options.

avocado	Photo proofs	RGB Taipei	uPrint	AIC	Convenient Digital
Breathingcolor Lyve Canvas
$320	-	-	$325	-	-
Canson Platine Fiber Rag Photo Paper
$350	-	$310	$325	-	-
Canson ARCHES BFK Printmaking Paper ARCHES BFK Rives
-	$360	$360	$325	-	-
Easicolor Premium Semiglossy Photo Paper
$160	-	-	$160	-	$150
Easicolor Premium Luster Photo Paper
-	$200	-	$160	-	$150
Easicolor Smooth Fribe Matte
-	-	$210	$160	-	-
Epson UltraSmooth Fine Art Paper
$380	-	-	$380	-	-
Hahnemühle Cotton Metallic Art Paper Photo Rag Metallic
$380	-	-	$380	$380	$450
Hahnemühle Cotton Barium Photo Paper Photo Rag Baryta
$380	-	-	$380	$380	$380
Hahnemühle William Turner Watercolor Art Paper
-	$360	-	-	-	$380
ILFORD FineArt Smooth acid-free paper
$250	-	-	-	$250	$240

Note 1: The price is calculated as per "per cent". Please refer to the official website of each company for price details. Note 2: The survey base date is 2024/8/15. If the price of each art giclee printing center changes, please refer to its official website.

How to choose a suitable art giclee printing center

1. Compare prices

We believe the pricing information we've compiled above is somewhat helpful. Honestly, the Taiwanese market is quite competitive, and prices among giclee print centers vary widely. However, we'd like to remind everyone to use this information as a foundation and conduct your own market research.

2. Choose paper carefully

There are many giclee print brands and paper types available. For example, uPrint offers 28 types of photo paper, including well-known European and Japanese brands like Hahnemuhl, Canson, Epson, and Ilford. Because different giclee print centers use different paper types, we recommend that you contact each center if time permits to experience the paper quality firsthand, feel its weight and tactile feel, and find the right giclee print paper for your work.

3. Packaging and delivery details

If the giclee print center you want to work with specializes in printing, framing and mounting must be sent to another store. Whether you send it yourself or the art center does it for you, because the work is not yet completed and there is an additional step of shipping, you may wish to carefully inquire about the packaging and shipping details in advance to reduce the chance of damage to the giclee print due to bending or pressing during the production process.

4. Service Quality

If you have more than one supplier who can work with your paper, and their prices are all within a reasonable range, then congratulations! We encourage you to discuss details with the suppliers to understand their expertise, production time, after-sales service, and other details. Doing more research beforehand will help you more easily find a supplier with whom you can work frequently.

A new trendsetting proposal: choose metal photos to print your work

Your work deserves to be treasured for a long time. In addition to art giclee printing, we also encourage you to explore and research new photo printing media. Think carefully and compare more. I believe you will definitely find the output media and partners that are suitable for your work!

I would like to know more about Metal Photo

References

Wikipedia - Giclée printing

Effects of Digital Printing Applications on Contemporary Art , Yeter Beris, 2018

Creating Long-Lasting Inkjet Prints , Monique Fischer