What Is Giclée Printing? A Guide for Artists and Photographers

What Is Giclée Printing? A Guide for Artists and Photographers

If you’re an artist or photographer looking to sell or display your work, you’ve probably come across the term Giclée printing. But what does it actually mean? Why is it considered the gold standard for fine art prints, and is it really worth the investment?

In this guide, we’ll break down everything you need to know about Giclée printing — including what it is, how it works, how it compares to other printing methods, and why it’s trusted by professionals across the creative industries.

✅ What Does “Giclée” Mean?

The word “Giclée” (pronounced zhee-clay) comes from the French word gicler, which means “to spray.” It was coined in the 1990s to describe a high-quality inkjet printing process used to reproduce fine art and photographic images with incredible detail and colour accuracy.

Unlike standard inkjet printing, Giclée isn’t just about spraying ink onto paper — it’s about achieving museum-quality results that look and feel like original works of art.

🖨️ What Makes a Print a “True” Giclée?

To be considered a genuine Giclée print, several technical standards need to be met. These are what separate a Giclée from a basic inkjet print:

1. Pigment-Based Inks

Giclée printers use pigment inks rather than dye-based inks. Pigment inks are significantly more stable and resistant to fading over time. When combined with archival paper, they can last over 100 years under the right conditions.

2. High Resolution

Giclée prints are produced at a minimum of 300 DPI (dots per inch), allowing for incredibly sharp details and smooth gradients. This is especially important for photographic prints and artworks with subtle shading or texture.

3. Archival-Grade Paper

True Giclée printing uses acid-free, museum-quality paper, often made from 100% cotton rag or alpha cellulose. These papers are pH-neutral and designed to prevent yellowing or deterioration over time.

4. Colour Management

A professional Giclée workflow includes colour-calibrated monitors and printers, ensuring that what you see on screen closely matches the final print. At Giclée UK, we use X-Rite i1Pro calibration to maintain colour accuracy across every job.

🎨 Why Artists and Photographers Choose Giclée

Giclée printing has become the preferred choice for creatives around the world, and for good reason. Here’s why:

🧑‍🎨 1. Reproduces Art Faithfully

Whether you’re scanning an oil painting, watercolour, or digital illustration, Giclée printing captures all the subtle tones and brushwork. The depth, texture, and richness of colour is second to none.

📸 2. Photographic Detail

Photographers love Giclée because it preserves detail even in shadows and highlights. Black and white prints benefit from deep blacks and smooth tonal transitions — without banding or posterization.

🏛️ 3. Museum-Quality Longevity

If you want your work to hold its value or meet gallery standards, Giclée is the way to go. It meets or exceeds the quality expected for archival art and exhibition prints.

🛒 4. Ideal for Selling Prints

Giclée prints offer a way to monetise original artworks without compromising quality. Many artists offer limited edition Giclée prints, signed and numbered, giving collectors a more accessible entry point.

📋 How Does the Giclée Printing Process Work?

At Giclée UK, our process is built around precision, consistency, and care:

1. File Prep – You submit your file in TIFF, PSD, or high-res PDF. We’ll advise on colour profiles and resolution if needed.

2. Proofing – For colour-critical work, we offer test strips or small proof prints before full production.

3. Printing – Your artwork is printed using our Epson SC-P9000 printer with 11-colour UltraChrome HDX pigment inks.

4. Quality Check – We inspect each print for colour accuracy, sharpness, and consistency.

5. Finishing – Your print is trimmed, packed in acid-free tissue, and ready for delivery or collection.

🧾 Giclée vs Standard Inkjet Printing

Not all inkjet prints are created equal. Here’s how Giclée stacks up against standard consumer or office printing:

🧠 Tips for Getting the Best Giclée Results

Here are a few expert tips to help ensure your print comes out exactly how you envision it:

• Scan or photograph your original work in high resolution. For physical artwork, proper lighting and lens setup are essential.

• Use AdobeRGB (1998) or sRGB as your colour space, depending on your editing environment.

• Avoid oversaturating colours on-screen — calibrated prints reveal the real tones.

• Request a proof print if it’s your first time printing or if the piece is colour-sensitive.

• Add a border if you’re framing. We recommend a 1–2 inch white border depending on the frame or mount size.

📦 Can Giclée Prints Be Sold as “Limited Edition” Art?

Absolutely. In fact, Giclée prints are often the go-to choice for limited edition runs. Many artists will number and sign each print (e.g., 1/50, 2/50), and provide a certificate of authenticity.

Make sure to:

• Limit your run (e.g. 25 or 50 prints)

• Use the same paper and specs for consistency

• Keep documentation of your edition numbers

Collectors value consistency and authenticity — and Giclée helps you deliver both.

🧑‍💻 Order Giclée Prints Online

At Giclée UK, we’ve made it simple for artists and photographers to upload files, choose papers, and order prints online. Whether you’re testing a new design or preparing a gallery show, we’re here to help you every step of the way.

We print with care, not speed — and we treat every piece like it’s our own.

📍 Ready to Print?

If you’re ready to take your artwork to the next level, get in touch today or upload your files via our website. We also offer test prints, paper recommendations, and artist support to help you get the perfect result.