| A fine art reproduction (giclee print) consists of | | | | One thing I can tell you from first hand |
| three elements; the medium, the ink and the top | | | | experience, ink is not water proof. Some sellers |
| coat. If any one is compromised, the whole print | | | | will tell you the ink is water resistant all by itself |
| is compromised. | | | | and doesn't need a top coat. It's not. I'd hate to |
| | | | | see the neighbor kid blow a PB&J sneeze on one |
| THE MEDIUM | | | | of those prints! Also, giclee inks deteriorate |
| The medium is whatever the giclee is printed on. | | | | significantly when exposed to light. Sound familiar? |
| It can be anything from photo paper, a range | | | | That brings us to the next element of our print. |
| of art papers, to canvas. Due to the nature of | | | | |
| paper itself, all art printed on it, must be | | | | THE TOP COAT |
| framed under glass. That is, if you want to get | | | | Top coat doesn't sound very exiting does it? Oh, |
| any longevity from your print. The glass will | | | | but it is! The right top coat applied to your print |
| protect your paper from moisture, fingerprints | | | | can mean the difference between life and death |
| and anything else that might find its way onto | | | | (for your print, that is. Or maybe you, if you |
| your art piece. And if you have kids you know | | | | happen to be an overly emotional Artist). A top |
| what I'm talking about! Canvas on the other hand, | | | | coat serves two ESSENTIAL purposes. |
| is gloriously resilient. It can be displayed in an open | | | | Protection from ultraviolet light and protection |
| frame without the glass. The breathable cotton | | | | from water. Did I mention essential? I'm trying to |
| and cotton/poly blends allow the fabric to dry | | | | make a point here. A giclee print not treated with |
| should it get wet. It's strong enough to stretch | | | | a top coat is doomed to a short life. Glass can |
| tight over wooden stretcher bars, flexible enough | | | | protect the print from moisture but not from light. |
| to resist punctures and tears with normal handling, | | | | Most sellers of prints will tell you not to hang your |
| and it doesn't warp! Sounds perfect doesn't it? | | | | print in direct sunlight. Even a giclee printed on |
| There's a catch. Most giclee printing canvases on | | | | water color paper or photo paper under glass |
| the market are infused with optical brightener | | | | should be treated with an ultraviolet / water |
| additives or OBA's. The additives make the | | | | resistant protective top coat. Here we go again |
| canvas bright and white. Giclee art needs bright | | | | back to modern technology. 'Testing' has shown |
| white medium because ink jet printers do not | | | | that a UV top coat SIGNIFIGANTLY increases |
| use white ink. All the white in your print is the | | | | the longevity of 'archival' inks under exposure to |
| absence of ink with the medium shining through. | | | | ultraviolet light. For canvas giclee prints, one of |
| So why would you care? Because the OBA's | | | | the top performers in top coats is Glamour II. |
| break down over time when exposed to light, | | | | What it does for a print is just as the name |
| turning the canvas strange hues of blues and | | | | implies. It makes the colors pop, acts as a barrier |
| yellows. Your art print goes from beautiful to | | | | to all things evil, and virtually gives your print that |
| bazaar...How much did you pay for that | | | | rich oil painting feel. If the seller isn't bragging |
| piece?...Thankfully there is OBA free giclee canvas | | | | about Glamour II or a high grade equivalent (like |
| on the market. If the outfit you’re buying | | | | BullDog), their probably not using it. Or worse, |
| your art from does not tout the benefits of their | | | | they may not be using any top coat. Yikes! |
| OBA free canvas, you can bet their not using it. | | | | |
| | | | | So there you have it; the medium, the ink and |
| THE INK | | | | the top coat. If any one of these three elements |
| Almost everywhere you read about ink on the | | | | are compromised the whole giclee print is |
| Internet, you'll hear about them being 'archival'. | | | | compromised. You don't want to get stuck with a |
| The claim is that they will last for 75-100 years or | | | | mess that was once called called Art. When |
| more! Well...we just don't really know do we? | | | | you’re looking for that perfect print for the |
| They haven't been around that long. Let's assume | | | | wall above the mantel, just make sure you’re |
| that modern technology can simulate a "100 year" | | | | getting your moneys worth. |
| test and conclude that the ink will actually hold up. | | | | |