What is a Giclée?
Giclée prints are considered one of the highest-quality fine art reproductions available today—trusted by galleries, museums, artists, and collectors alike. They’re prized for their exceptional color, stunning detail, and long-lasting archival quality.
A true giclée print is created using a professional inkjet printer that uses a wide gamut of highly permanent, pigment-based inks. This process captures artwork with remarkable precision and ensures the print will remain vibrant for decades.
The term giclée comes from the French words “gicleur” (nozzle) and “gicler” (to spray), referring to the fine spray of ink used in this printing method. Over time, the word evolved to describe these museum-quality, archival inkjet prints.
How do I make my own giclée prints?
Step 1: Reproduction
You will need a scan or photograph of your art.
Step 2: Paper Choices
We have a variety of paper ranging from smooth bright white surface to an natural watercolor texture and everything in between. We can help you make a choice.
Step 3: Proofing
I say, the proof is in the pudding. An image will look different on a monitor, tablet, laptop etc. The same image can look different from the white point on different papers. There are a lot of variables. This by far is the most time consuming step.
After proofing which may include numerous prints or a few for your proofing pleasure we take that file and save it. We save our printer settings and you’ll be able to order in the future as many or as little as you like. But we hope a lot!
If this process interests you for your own work feel free to reach out with any other questions.
Here are a few of those first questions:
Do you scan or photograph?
I Scan, I use a large format flatbed 48 bit color scanner with a resolution 2400×4800 DPI. It holds plenty of power.
How Big can you scan?
How big we talking? I can do some magic and make it work.
What kinds of artwork can you scan?
If it is flat and the pigments aren’t wet I can scan it. I can scan some painting stretched on canvas but it’s more difficult. If your artwork has a lot of layers and texture scanning will not be the best route. I would suggesting finding a studio that can provide art reproduction with photography.
What does it cost?
Good question, here is a price list to get started. FYI the pricing tables are just a guide, your artwork or prints don’t have to be any of these exact sizes. We are a custom print & frame shop after all. Please note there are different qualities of paper starting with Fine Art (a true giclee) then Economy Fine Art and Premium Paper
| Original Art Size | 1st Proof | 2nd Proof |
| 5×7 | $60 | $30 |
| 8×10 | $70 | $35 |
| 11×14 | $80 | $40 |
| 12×18 | $90 | $45 |
| 16×20 | $100 | $50 |
Fine Art Giclée
| Print Size | qty 1 | qty 2+ | qty 5+ | qty 10+ |
| 5×7 | $15 | $12 | $9 | $7 |
| 8×10 | $20 | $16 | $13 | $10 |
| 11×14 | $28 | $23 | $15 | $15 |
| 12×18 | $45 | $36 | $28 | $20 |
| 16×20 | $50 | $40 | $32 | $25 |
Economy Fine Art
| Print Size | qty 1 | qty 2+ | qty 5+ | qty 10+ |
| 5×7 | $10 | $8 | $6 | $5 |
| 8×10 | $14 | $11 | $9 | $7 |
| 11×14 | $20 | $16 | $13 | $10 |
| 12×18 | $31 | $24 | $20 | $15 |
| 16×20 | $35 | $28 | $23 | $20 |
Premium
| Print Size | qty 1 | qty 2+ | qty 5+ | qty 10+ |
| 5×7 | $6 | $4.75 | $3.50 | $3 |
| 8×10 | $12 | $9 | $7.50 | $6 |
| 11×14 | $18 | $14 | $11.50 | $10 |
| 12×18 | $22 | $17 | $14 | $12 |
| 16×20 | $25 | $20 | $16 | $14 |
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