Q: What is Giclee?
A: Giclee (pronounced jhee-clay) refers to a method of creating limited edition prints. Giclee reproductions were originally developed in 1989 as a digital method of fine art printing. The French word "Giclee" means "spray of ink."

Q: How is a Giclee reproduction made?
A: Original artwork is photographed either by a large format film camera and scanned, or photographed with a large format digital camera or scanning back. The resulting files are stored in the computer, then output to a high-resolution wide format inkjet printer.

Q: How does a Giclee reproduction compare to a Lithograph?
A: Using our museum quality digital copystand and 8 color printers, Archival Arts giclee's show every subtlety and nuance of the original - Our reproductions are often indistinguishable from the original work of art. Giclee prints have become accepted by the art community for their exceptional detail, archival qualities, and reasonable cost. Lithographs are printed with a visible dot pattern with inks that fade on paper that is usually not archival. There really is no comparison!

Q: What kind of paper and ink do you use?
A: Since the Giclee process is still being perfected, Archival Arts continually researches new media and inks to provide our customers with the widest range of color and the highest quality prints possible.

We currently offer 300gsm William Turner Watercolor paper made by Hahnemuhle and waterproof Matte Canvas by Parrott Digigraphic. Epson archival pigment inks are used for all prints.

Q: How should I price my giclees?
A: There are many factors that determine what a giclee is worth - the main factors being: how many full editions the artist has sold, how well known and respected the artist is in their field, the quality of the original and the print, whether the image is available as a limited or open edition and also the size of the print. As a general rule, most of the clients of Archival Arts are selling their prints for at least double the cost of the print (not including the scan). Depending on the factors mentioned above, a giclee can sell for as much as $3000 or more, even if the cost to reproduce is only a fraction of that amount.