If you’re researching how to print your artwork or photography, you’ll come across a lot of technical terms — and one of the most important to understand is Giclée printing.

While Giclée is technically a form of inkjet printing, not all inkjet prints are Giclée — far from it. If you care about colour accuracy, longevity, and overall quality, understanding the difference between Giclée and standard inkjet printing can save you time, money, and a lot of frustration.

In this post, we’ll explore what makes Giclée different, how it compares to regular inkjet printing, and why professional artists and photographers continue to rely on it for gallery-quality results.

💡 First, What Is Giclée Printing?

Giclée (pronounced “zhee-clay”) is a term coined in the 1990s to describe high-end, archival-quality inkjet printing. It comes from the French word gicler, meaning “to spray” — a nod to how inkjet printers deposit ink onto paper.

But “Giclée” isn’t just about spraying ink. It refers to a specific combination of:

  • Pigment-based inks

  • Archival-quality paper

  • High resolution printing (300 DPI or above)

  • Colour-managed workflows for precision and consistency

At Giclée UK, we use Epson printers with UltraChrome HDX pigment inks, paired with museum-grade papers like Hahnemühle and Canson, and calibrated with X-Rite i1Pro for true colour fidelity.

🖨️ What Is Standard Inkjet Printing?

Standard inkjet printing refers to what most consumer or office printers do — printing digital images or documents on plain or photo paper using dye-based inks, often at lower resolutions.

These prints may look fine at first glance, but they:

  • Fade over time (sometimes within months)

  • Can suffer from inconsistent colours

  • Are not suitable for display or sale as fine art

📊 Giclée vs Standard Inkjet: Side-by-Side Comparison

 

Feature Giclée Printing Standard Inkjet Printing
Ink Type Pigment-based, archival Dye-based (less stable)
Paper Quality Acid-free, museum-grade, cotton or rag-based Basic photo or plain paper
Longevity 80–100+ years without fading 5–10 years (or less)
Resolution 300–2880 DPI 150–600 DPI
Colour Accuracy Colour-managed workflow, calibrated devices Often uncalibrated, can shift significantly
Use Case Gallery prints, limited editions, photography Office docs, family snapshots
Cost per Print Higher (premium product) Lower (budget/home use)

🎨 Why Giclée Is the Professional Choice

If you’re printing to sell, exhibit, or archive your work, Giclée printing offers clear advantages:

1. Exceptional Colour Accuracy

Giclée printers use 8 to 12 pigment ink channels, which allows for a broader and more nuanced colour range than typical 4-colour inkjets. This means:

  • Smoother gradients

  • Deeper blacks

  • Brighter highlights

  • Less colour banding

We calibrate our printers regularly using professional tools to ensure you get consistent, predictable colour output, every time.

2. Unmatched Detail and Resolution

At 2880 DPI (dots per inch), Giclée printers can capture extremely fine detail — whether it’s a subtle pencil sketch or the grain in a photographic landscape.

For comparison, most consumer printers max out around 600 DPI, and even that isn’t truly equivalent due to how ink is dispersed.

3. Archival Longevity

Giclée prints are designed to last a lifetime (and then some). Pigment inks resist UV light, humidity, and environmental degradation far better than dye inks.

When printed on archival papers and stored correctly, Giclée prints can last 100+ years without noticeable fading — making them ideal for galleries, museums, and collectors.

4. Premium Paper Options

Giclée printing uses specialised papers that feel and look as luxurious as the artwork they carry. These include:

  • Smooth and textured cotton rag papers

  • Watercolour-style finishes

  • Bright white and natural tone bases

  • Matte, satin, and velvet finishes

Each paper interacts with the ink in its own way, giving you artistic flexibility in how your work is presented.

5. Perfect for Selling Your Work

Because of the quality and longevity, Giclée prints are the industry standard for limited editions, signed prints, and online print sales. Many artists sell Giclée prints as part of their income stream, offering collectors a more affordable alternative to original pieces — without sacrificing quality.

⚠️ When Is Standard Inkjet Printing OK?

There’s nothing wrong with standard inkjet printing for casual use. It’s great for:

  • Internal office documents

  • Personal photos

  • Visual mockups

  • Mood boards

  • Event signage

But if you’re trying to:

  • Sell your artwork professionally

  • Enter a gallery or competition

  • Impress a photography client

  • Create something archival

…then standard inkjet printing simply won’t hold up.

💰 Is Giclée Printing Worth the Extra Cost?

Giclée printing is more expensive than standard inkjet — but you’re not just paying for ink on paper. You’re paying for:

  • Long-term durability

  • Incredible detail and colour fidelity

  • A print that matches your artistic intent

  • Professional-grade presentation

In the same way a quality frame enhances a painting, a Giclée print ensures your work looks its absolute best — and gives customers confidence in what they’re buying.

🧪 Not Sure What You Need? Try a Test Print

If you’ve never seen your work on Giclée paper, we recommend starting with a test strip or proof print. It’s a low-risk way to:

  • Compare different papers

  • Check colour output

  • Review detail and contrast

  • Choose border or sizing options

At Giclée UK, we’re happy to guide you through this process and make recommendations based on your style and goals.

📤 How to Order Giclée Prints Online

We’re currently setting up a simplified online ordering system, but for now, here’s how you can order:

  1. Send your files to info@gicleeuk.com (TIFF, PSD, or high-quality JPEG preferred)

  2. Let us know:

    • Desired print size

    • Paper choice (or ask for recommendations)

    • Border or bleed preferences

  3. We’ll check your file and confirm a proof or full print

Prints can be collected locally in Edinburgh or shipped UK-wide and internationally.

🏁 Final Thoughts: Choose Giclée When It Really Matters

If your print represents hours (or years) of work — and you want it to look stunning and last a lifetime — Giclée printing is the clear choice.

It’s trusted by:

  • Fine artists

  • Illustrators

  • Photographers

  • Museums

  • Designers

  • Collectors

At Giclée UK, we bring your work to life using world-class print technology and paper stock, with an attention to detail you won’t find at big box stores or DIY labs.

Not sure where to start? Just get in touch — we’re here to help.