What is a Giclée and what does it mean?

The French word Giclée (zhee-klay), meaning “a spurt” or “a spray”, has become a popular term that is currently used to describe digital reproductions of artwork. Like the definitions of many other words, the definition of Giclée has changed over the years through it popular use to describe similar, yet different, things.

With the advent of Giclée, the art of reproducing fine art has become even more precise. Giclée's have the highest apparent resolution available today. Since no screens are used, the prints have a higher apparent resolution than lithographs and a color range that exceeds that of serigraphy. Displaying a full color spectrum, giclée prints capture every nuance of an original and have gained wide acceptance from artists and galleries throughout the world.

It was originally used to describe a very specific form of art reproduction which utilized the IRIS 3047 drum printer. At this time the term Giclée was synonymous with the high quality prints produced on the IRIS that were previously unobtainable by any other reproduction method. Due to the high image quality and ability to print on canvas afforded by the IRIS, many of the photographers and artist who were previously adverse to the reproduction of their artwork began to trust this method of reproduction to reproduce their artwork.

Of course it was not the printer alone that made this level of reproduction possible, but also the culmination of software, equipment, and skilled operators throughout the input, edit and output phases of reproduction that made such a high level of quality possible. The IRIS simply provided the missing link in the art reproduction equation that, when coupled with high quality supplies, could yield a Giclée.

As the art-Giclée reproduction market began to grow, new large format printers were introduced into the market along with new canvases, inks, and coatings. Unfortunately, all wide format printers and supplies are not created equal and possess differing levels of quality. In some cases the disparities in quality were quite obvious and soon prints were produced that did not adhere to the strict quality standards to which the Giclée market was previously accustom.

Despite this disparity in quality, the term Giclée was still used to describe these low quality products even though they did not exhibit the standards inherent in the Giclées produced previously on the IRIS 3047. As a result the term Giclée has been devalued and is now used by some to describe almost any reproduction of art on canvas, regardless of quality.

Some groups have responded to this devaluing of the term by creating certification marks to try and help reestablish the truer sense of the term Giclée. One such group is the Giclée Printer Association, whom has developed their own certification mark. To help consumers recognize the quality standards adhered to in their reproductions of art and previously attributed to the term Giclée, the Tru Giclée™ certification mark is used by GPA members to brand their products. Originally this type of branding for quality recognition was not necessary because the term "Giclée" was a brand in and of itself that was used to describe the highest quality reproduction available.

––Justin A. Doe
March 8, 2005

Do Giclée prints require special care?

We recommend that you treat your Giclée print the same as any original watercolor. It should be protected from water and should not be place in direct sunlight. Giclées printed on paper should be frame-mounted behind glass. Giclées printed on canvas are treated with an museum grade veneer to aid in their protection, however careful treatment is still desirable. OutNbout visualImaging, llc shall not be responsible for any damage to prints from improper handling or from environmental conditions such as excessive moisture, heat and light.