| A giclee fine art print is reproduced using the | | | | proofing. |
| latest and most sophisticated ink-jet technology. | | | | A word about inks: They are not the same as |
| But that's just part of the story. | | | | those you find at Office Depot. They are |
| First, giclee comes from the French and means | | | | especially compounded for color range and |
| "spray", and that's the basis for the ink jet. But in | | | | vibrancy, and for long life. That means any colors |
| the case of giclee art reproduction, it's more than | | | | in the original can be faithfully reproduced and will |
| just "spray". | | | | last for years and years without fading. To |
| The technology uses a very fine spray produced | | | | further assure close replication, six ink cartridges |
| by six ink cartridges. The medium, usually fine | | | | are normally operated (the normal cyan, magenta, |
| paper or artist canvas, is moved along at a very | | | | yellow and black plus light cyan and light magenta). |
| slow pace while the rich and vibrant archival inks | | | | The latest generation of inks offers color-fastness |
| are dispersed rapidly, thus producing the exact | | | | for over 50-years when hung out of the sun's |
| colors of the original. | | | | direct rays. |
| Preparation of the original art is important as well. | | | | A clear coating can be applied to enhance its |
| It must be photographed or scanned and | | | | durability. This is not always done but is certainly |
| rendered as a digital file for computer manipulation. | | | | recommended. |
| A technically competent color rendition requires | | | | The giclee process has provided a new standard |
| some experience with digital photography, | | | | in print quality. It is widely accepted by major |
| scanning and image manipulation. Usually the artist | | | | museums, galleries, publishers and artists. A giclee |
| is present to supervise or perform the transition | | | | art print is the most precise replication of an |
| from original to digital file, and to approve final | | | | original work of art available today. |