This question is often asked when working with our customers during shows. The simple answer is; a Giclee is a digital print made from an ink jet printer using the eight color process. This relatively new procedure produces the finest quality machine-made art print in the business today. Ink jet machines accommodate printing on heavy rag papers and artist canvas, and when combined with fade resistant ink sets create art prints with the longest life-span in the industry. In some cases the print is so accurate that it is difficult to discern from the original painting.
Why call it a Giclee? This term was coined during the beginning of the ink jet period and is used to differentiate between offset lithographs and ink jet editions. I guess the word sounded more sophisticated, but it is nothing more than a marketing term. During the inception of ink jet printing, very large expensive machines that cost well over $100,000.00 each were used. The first of such printers were made by a company called Iris, thus the first prints were called Iris Giclee’s.
Just as technology has produced better, and better, smaller and cheaper computers, it has done the same with ink jet printers. Today many artists have equipment in their own studios and produce their own prints, at Niebrugge Studio we print all of our smaller giclees. However, for our larger giclees we still rely on our faithful supplier who has been with us since the beginning when the first ones were made on Iris machines.
Hopefully this helps. If you have questions leave them in the comments box and I will share answers with everyone.
Gail Niebrugge, Artist
Hi Gail!
Thanks for explaining this.
I also enjoyed your comments when working on the painting of the children on the ice, your working through problems of ‘overworking’ on a piece, and getting the colour jacket right. I appreciated your honesty in sharing your mistakes and how you overcame them.
When you finished, the painting was just right – perfect!
Greetings from sunny Western Australia!
Noella
Thanks Noella;
We are taking a vacation in March beginning in Sydney, how far away from Sydney do you live?
Gail
Hi Gail,
We live 2,552 miles from Sydney, which is on the East coast whereas we are on the West coast!
I have read that “Australia is roughly the size of continental USA but with a population of greater Los Angeles with most of that population located on the eastern sea board. So be prepared for long distances across open country with little population in-between.”
Roughly, Perth is to Sydney as Los Angeles is to New York. How long are you over for and which direction are you heading in?
Please email me on noellaross@gmail.com as I’d love to discuss further with you.
Noella
Wow, and we thought Alaska was big. I’ll send you an email soon, but I don’t think our path will cross you as we are only in Sydney a short while, then spend 17 days in New Zealand.
Gail