A Brief History of Giclée Printing

What is a Giclée print and how can you use it?



Giclée is a term on current common usage in the print industry to describe a high quality fine art reproduction of either a physical original or a computer generated work of art. It can be printed on a number of different media types like coated papers, water color papers with texture or even canvas. These prints can be mounted, stretched and framed. Some artist will sign and number their prints. Others will enhance their Giclée with paint or other media creating an original work based on the print.


Giclée printing is not reserved for just fine artists. In this age when it seems everyone has a high resolution camera in their pocket or purse, you can use this printing technique to produce your own works of art from your favorite images. You can crop, color correct or add a filter to that image and have it printed any size easily up to 5 feet wide!



History of the term Giclée


Jack Duganne, a print maker working on the west coast is credited with coming up with the term Giclée. He was said to have been looking for a way to describe high quality inkjet prints without the poor quality connotation that 4 color inkjet printing implied. He settled on the term Giclée. A simple translation means a splash or spurt of liquid. Thus, a term for high quality digital reproductions was born!


If you have any questions about turning your photo or artwork into Giclée prints on paper or canvas please contact us at (517) 482-5431 or email us by using the LEARN MORE link.