The association of Giclee printing with its conceptual cousin – inkjet printing. It has led some people to question the validity of this printing medium as a true fine art system. To address this, I think that it is first important to look at the history of fine art printmaking. To see if Giclee printing fulfills the parameters set out therein.
Fine Art
Fine art printmaking has traditionally been based on the concept of creating a master plate. It’s known as the matrix. From the original and using this to reproduce a predetermined number of ‘editions’ of the original artwork. Historically, the matrix was then destroyed by the artist, producing a set of truly limited edition prints. The more traditional printing techniques such as etching, lithography, and linocut have evolved into art forms themselves. They require a huge degree of expertise to reproduce the original to the artist’s precise demands.
Nowadays, the production of a printing matrix is no longer necessary as the high-quality scanning techniques employed by printing companies. Such results in a perfect facsimile of the original painting or photograph. Giclee printing offers incredibly high degrees of fidelity and richness of color when compared to other ‘traditional’ printing methods. This printing does not use a screen or other mechanical device; there is no visible dot pattern. The printing expertise carefully monitors the color system through the use of the color profiling technique. They understand the colorspace that the machine operates within.
Print-on-Demand
The print-on-demand nature of the printing process enables photographers and artists to maintain full control. Control over the artistic integrity of their work and reproducing their work. This, coupled with the proven archival permanence of giclee prints and with specifically designed output media and inks ensures that the artist’s work will be enjoyed for decades. Naturally, the understanding between the artist and their customers that the edition is truly limited must be maintained. The matrix is no longer destroyed. The original scanned file must be deleted or removed from circulation upon reaching the defined number of released editions. This has always been the case and the advent of giclee printing has no impact on this mutual understanding.
Giclee printing is indeed a fine art printing technique. One that is truly liberating for photographers and artists wishing to share their work with the widest possible audience. Great for achieving a quality that was hitherto unobtainable without huge expense.
If you need High-quality Prints for your projects, photos, art. Stop in to see us at CO Print Press and look at the samples we have printed before.