Giclee (pronounced "zhee-clay") reproductions were originally developed in 1989 as a plate-less method of fine art printing. The word Giclée is French for "to spray " and is a registered trade name of The 'IRIS' Printer. The images are scanned and digitally stored in a computer and sent directly to a high resolution printer. Unlike other printing methods, each image is sent to the printer individually.

A giclee (zhee-CLAY), is an individually produced, high-resolution, high-fidelity, high tech reproduction done on a special large format printer. Giclees are produced from digital scans of existing artwork. Also, since many artists now paint only digitally, there was no "original" that can be hung on a wall. Giclees solve that problem, while creating a whole new vibrant medium for art.

Giclees can be printed on any number of media, from canvas to watercolor paper. Giclees are superior to traditional lithography in nearly every way. The colors are brighter, last longer, and are so high-resolution that they are virtually 'continuous tone', rather than tiny dots. The range, or "gamut" of color for giclees is far beyond that of lithography, and details are crisper.

Since giclee printers can use media in rolls, large print sizes are available. Giclees are typically sold by the square inch or square foot.

Lithography uses tiny dots of four colors--cyan, magenta, yellow and black. Lithography uses tiny dots of four colors--cyan, magenta, yellow and black--to fool the eye into seeing various hues and shades. Colors are "created" by printing different size dots of these four colors.

Giclees use six colors--light cyan, cyan, light magenta, magenta, yellow and black (sometimes TWO blacks). Giclees use inkjet technology, but far more sophisticated than your desktop printer. The process employs six colors - light cyan, cyan, light magenta, magenta, yellow and black (somteimes TWO blacks) - of lightfast (fade resistant,) pigmented inks and finer, more numerous, replaceable printheads resulting in a wider color gamut, and the ability to use various media to print on. The ink is sprayed onto the page, actually mixing the color on the page to create truer shades and hues.

They are priced midway between original art and regular limited edition lithographs. Limited edition litho prints are usually produced in editions of 500-1000 or more, all at once; but giclees rarely exceed 50-100 high-quality reproductions, one at a time.

Giclees were originally developed as a proofing system for traditional lithographic printing presses, but it soon became apparent that the presses were having a hard time delivering the quality and brilliant color of the giclee proofs. Giclees evolved into the new darlings of the art world. They are coveted by collectors for their fidelity and quality, and desired by galleries and artists alike because they don't have to be produced in huge quantities with their large layout of capital and storage.

In addition, Giclees are produced directly from a digital file, (which can be remotely uploaded,) saving generations of detail-robbing negatives and printing plates used with traditional litho printing.

This type of Art Reproduction is becoming the new standard in the Art Reproduction industry, and is widely recognized for its quality by major Galleries, Museums, Publishers, and Artists, all around the World. A Giclee Print is the closest duplication of an original artwork that is humanly, technically, or mechanically achievable.

Words alone can not fully descibe how impressive it is. A Giclee Canvas Art Reproduction simply must be seen to be fully appreciated. Fine Art Galleries across the Country are raving about GICLEE Art prints.

Giclee prints have an impressive and notable exhibition following. They have been shown in Museums and Galleries throughout the U.S.A and the World.

These Limited Editions are printed with exceptionally high standards of digital mastering, exquisite color accuracy, premium archival materials and protective coating for added ultraviolet protection and longevity.

Each print is accompanied with a Certificate of Authenticity, hand embossed with the Printers seal that authenticates each print of the Edition. The certificate contains information on the editions siaze, the Artist, the original work of art and the print itself.

Each Artist Signed print is sold unstretched, packaged and ready to carry or ship. Stretching and framing services are available upon request.