Giclee printing is a method of producing prints of artwork digitally with high-end equipment. Superior quality giclee prints are economical for the artist and give the buyer some choices about the art they buy.
History
Giclee (zhee-klay) printing was developed in the 1990s.
Features
After a high-resolution digital scan is made of the artwork, prints are made with eight-color or twelve-color ink-jet printers, using archival-quality inks. The resulting prints have truer color accuracy than older printmaking methods and will last longer.
Benefits
This method of printing is practical for artists who want to sell copies of their work without the cost of mass-producing it. Giclees can be printed as-needed for little cost once the digital scan is made.
Fun Fact
Giclee prints, while comparatively inexpensive, are still high-quality. In 2004, an Annie Liebovitz giclee print sold at auction for $10,800.
Size
Once the digital scan is made, giclee prints can be made in almost any size. Art buyers buying on demand can specify the size they would like.
