Overview
So-called 'giclée' printing is characterised by the use of a sophisticated inkjet printer with archival pigment inks and media to produce prints of the highest quality and fidelity of reproduction together with an extended lifetime.
The latest generations of advanced inkjet printers employ inksets utilising up to 12 inks to produce both bright, saturated primary colours and the most delicate tints and subtle tonal gradations. Due to the greater number of inks and the method of applying these inks to the media, this process is superior to conventional litho printing in both colour gamut and resolution, as well as offering a far wider choice of print media.
The giclée process allows prints to be produced on demand and in quantities as low as a single print at any one time, avoiding the up-front expense of press setup and the relatively large minimum print runs associated with litho printing. Prints can be produced to order when sold, so that there is no need for the artist to hold a large stock of prints, minimising the risk of being left with unwanted copies if an edition fails to sell out. Original files can also be repurposed at minimal cost to allow prints on different media or at alternative sizes, offering a further range of sales possibilities.
Colourfast Editions Giclée Prints
Our fine-art prints are produced exclusively by the giclée process and are of museum-grade quality. In the hands of a skilled printmaker, and on similar media, prints produced by this process can be effectively indistinguishable from the original artwork, with a rated lifetime in excess of 100 years.
We stock a selection of premium-quality fine-art and photographic media for your convenience, in a maximum width of 44" and typical weights of around 300 gsm. Canson Infinity's range of papers is a firm favourite with artists, their traditional watercolour papers such as Edition Etching Rag and the luxurious BFK Rives White being particularly admired for the quality of their finish and the superior appearance of the prints, while their Baryta Photographique and Platine papers offer traditional finishes for photographic prints. We also stock Hahnemuhle's Photo Rag 308 and Bamboo, the latter comprising 90% sustainable bamboo fibre and popular for its natural organic feel and appearance.
Prints can also be supplied on canvas, as bare unstretched prints or as standard or gallery wraps. All our canvas prints are individually finished with multiple coats of museum-grade giclée varnish for added physical and UV-protection, applied by HVLP spray coating for a professional finish in matte, satin or full gloss to your preference.
For the best results, we prefer to photograph your original artwork under controlled conditions in our own studio, as this permits the most accurate reproduction; however, we can also print directly from your own digital files if these are of sufficient quality. If you wish to supply your own print-ready files, we will be pleased to advise on preparing these and on obtaining the best reproduction quality from your artwork.
Cards and Calendars
Many of our customers have asked if we are able to provide greeting cards and calendars to complement their fine-art prints. Our own printing equipment and production is optimised to achieve the highest possible quality of digital art prints and is thus unsuitable for this type of printing; however, for your convenience, we have made arrangements with trusted local suppliers to source these items at competitive prices, and will be pleased to discuss any further requirements you may have.