What Is a Giclee Printer?
Giclee printers are high-end inkjet printers capable of producing photographic-quality prints from a digital file. These printers originated in the 1990s, and were originally quite expensive. During the 2000s, smaller models, affordable for home users, became more readily available. These have significantly changed the art reproduction process. As of May 2011, artists can provide prints in small batches without the wait and setup fees associated with traditional lithographic or offset printing.
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History
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The term "giclee" means "to spray or squirt" in French, and refers to the ink droplets the printer sprays onto the page. Giclee prints were originally made by Jack Duganne, a printer at Nash Editions in the early 1990s. These prints were produced on a large-scale IRIS printer, often used to provide color proofs before conventional printing jobs. IRIS printers are no longer common, having largely been superseded by smaller, less expensive models.
Mechanism
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Inkjet printers of all kinds have been labeled as giclee. The majority of high-end giclee printers, however, use a piezo-electric process to produce microscopic ink drops and a higher resolution. Most giclee printers use seven or more inks for smoother gradations between colors, with some models using as many as 12. Printers that use pigment-based inks tend to produce longer-lasting prints than those using dye-based inks. This type of printer may clog more frequently, however.
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Benefits
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Giclee printers offer artists the ability to provide high-quality reproductions on a print-by-print basis. Traditional lithographic printing has relatively high setup fees, and usually requires customers to order at least 500 to 1,000 prints. Artists with giclee printers can provide prints one at a time, as needed, freeing up inventory. Giclee printers produce longer-lasting, brighter prints than most lower-end inkjets. With the right inks and paper, they can provide printout longevity competitive with photographic prints, according to Wilhelm Research.
Disadvantages
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All prints of the same image from a giclee printer are identical, provided you choose the same paper and ink each time. Lithographic prints vary over the course of the print run, degrading slightly near the end. Because an inkjet printer can produce an unlimited number of prints, some art galleries and shows will not show giclee prints unless they are signed, numbered and certified as limited edition. Giclee prints sometimes command lower prices than more traditional print types, due to their digital origin.
Warning
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Not all inkjet printers produce high quality prints. Giclee print longevity depends on printer quality, ink variety and paper type. A poor quality home inkjet using third-party inks and lower-grade paper may produce a print that lasts only a few months, according to Wilhelm Research. The same company rates prints made with higher-quality printers and materials for over 100 years when treated correctly. Choose pigment-based inks and acid-free paper with an appropriate giclee coating for best results. Keep prints out of direct sunlight or frame them under UV-blocking glass to extend their lifespan.
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References
- Photo Credit Ryan McVay/Photodisc/Getty Images
