What Are Giclee and Digital Prints?

Digital images are created from photographs taken with a digital camera or from scanned images. Fine art prints that are made from digital files generally are created from high resolution files, not small jpg files that most of us use with our point and shoot cameras.With today’s high-end inkjet printers, ultra chrome pigmented inks, and professional grade papers that are fade resistant, photographic images can be created that can last a lifetime. One of the advantages of high-end digital printing is that the images can be optimized for color accuracy better than other methods of print reproduction.Giclee (pronounced “zheeclay”) prints are fine art digital prints that use 8 or 12 color inkjet printers. Giclee is a French word meaning spray or a spurt of liquid. Giclee printing can produce beautiful detailed photographic prints at various sizes and on different surfaces like watercolor paper, canvas or other fine art papers. The print’s longevity is based on the media (the paper) and inks being used – generally 90-100 years. Remember, the stability of the print will vary due to environmental factors, too. Proper matting, framing, and lighting conditions in the room will all affect the longevity of the image.With the advent of high-end digital printing, once an image is digitally archived, artists can print on demand without any change in the quality of the final print. Also, with digital printing, images can be reproduced onto various media (canvas, watercolor paper, etc) and at most sizes. Today, galleries often display and sell high-end digital prints. They sell at prices similar to other contemporary fine art prints.