The Term : The term "giclee print" connotes an elevation in printmaking technology. Images are generated from high-resolution digital files (pre-press software/scans) and printed with archival quality inks onto various substrates including canvas, fine art, and photo-base paper. The giclee printing process provides better color accuracy than other means of reproduction.
The Creative Process : The process of making the artwork for giclee printing involve the use of digital image software (Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Photoshop). Photographic subjects are collected using a camera raw file format. Multiple photographs are merged to make panoramic (or complex) scenes. Photos are color balanced, and subject/background are geometrically balanced using a 3 x 2 golden ratio or a 3 x 2 root 5-ratio formula. Photos are vectorized in Adobe Illustrator (40 - 300 Min.). The "new" vectors (color shapes) are refined, subjects are enhanced, and the picture is scaled to 40" x 60" (or larger). After these alterations the refined vector file is rasterized (in Photoshop) to balance color and add any effects and prepare to send to print (1 - 3 hours).
The Print Process : Giclee prints are created typically using professional 8-Color to 12-Color ink-jet printers. Among the manufacturers of these printers are vanguards such as Epson, MacDermid Colorspan, & Hewlett-Packard. These modern technology printers are capable of producing incredibly detailed prints for both the fine art and photographic markets. Giclee prints are sometimes mistakenly referred to as Iris prints, which are 4-Color ink-jet prints from a printer pioneered in the late 1970s by Iris Graphics.
The Quality : The quality of the giclee print rivals traditional silver-halide and gelatin printing processes and is commonly found in museums, art galleries, and photographic galleries. Archival 175 - 200 yrs.
The Market : Numerous examples of giclee prints can be found in New York City at the Metropolitan Museum, the Museum of Modern Art, and the Chelsea Galleries. Recent auctions of giclee prints have fetched $10,800 for Annie Leibovitz, $9,600 for Chuck Close, and $22,800 for Wolfgang Tillmans