Just what is a Giclée print? In basic terms, it simply is a fancy word for an inkjet print. The word is of
French language origin, but was coined by an American digital printmaker, Jack Dugannne, in 1991.The story I read (found in the book referenced below)
said that he wanted a word to represent the newly emerging digital
printmaking technique. Something that would work in the fine
art world. Starting with the French word jet d'encre (inkjet),
he evolved his thinking down this path: nozzle – gicleur,
spray ink – gicler, verb to noun– giclée.
The literal meaning apparently is "that which is sprayed."
This word is variously credited by others with meaning,
in French, "to spray," "squirting liquid," even "spraying
dots." Another source said none of these were true and the
word had something to do with being a "feminine past participle" or
some such. Regardless, it has become the accepted term for fine
art, archival inkjet printing.
So just what makes a print a giclée print?
These seem to be the accepted qualifications. First, it is a
signed print.
Second, the edition of prints is limited, not open. The
size of the edition doesn't seem to matter, only that there is
a finite number. Third, the print be of archival standards,
meaning that it remain color stable for at least some number
of years. Just what this number is may be open for question,
but high-end tested, archival inkjet printing ink/substrate combinations
typically range from around 80 to 200 years. Fourth, that a signed
certificate "authenticating" the printing method be
provided to the buyer.
The process: an original work of art done in a traditional
medium is "imaged" using digital photography, by scanning
the original or by traditional film photography/scanned film,
and then printed in limited editions. Between the "capture" step
and the printing there is a significant, oft times "challenging"
middle step of file processing, color correcting and proofing
in order to arrive at an acceptable print file from which the
edition will be made. For those of us involved in this technology,
that middle step is where the Rubber Meets The Road! It's not
for the faint-of-heart. Photographic images must meet the same
criteria and are processed and printed in the same manner. The
capture uses the same technology, but it is capturing an original
image with a camera, not reproducing an existing image.
Giclée prints are accepted as a legitimate
fine art medium. Highly placed artists and galleries as well
as the world's museums have widely embraced this printing technique.
The technology is so good that the viewing public would be hard
pressed to know the difference between an original work and it's
Giclée reproduction. For photography, it is just another
way to make prints of an original image, just as has been done
in darkrooms for 150 years or more.
Printmaking in its various forms has a long and
honorable history. Today's digital approach is an addition to
this fine tradition. One that becomes more accepted as time passes;
one that is likely to live on for a very long time.
An excellent resource for learning more about this
printmaking approach is Mastering Digital Printing by
Harald Johnson. It is a very complete overview that is useful
for those who want to have Giclée editions made of their
original artwork or photography, who want to learn to do this
type of printing, as well as the print buyer. It is well done.
198 E. 11th Street, #1
Chico, CA 95928
530. 345.2101 GOOGLE MAP
WHAT WE DO HERE
• Custom photo printing
• Giclée print editions
• Restore vintage photos
• Restore vintage docs
• Photograph fine art
• Scan family photos
• Artist support materials: portfolios, greeting cards, postcards & marketing advice.
• Archival wide-format inkjet printing on paper and canvas, traditional lab-style photo prints,
and other digital and traditional offset printing for special projects applications.
Contemporary and
Vintage Photographs
at CharlieOsborn.com
Chico Visual
Arts Alliance
May 2012 Dates
to be announced soon. 2011 was a huge hit so don't miss next year's event at the Iconic Chico Matador Motel
Art, Fun, Food, Music
and
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