Giclee Information

There is an ongoing debate regarding the distinction made between giclee fine art and giclee decor. Some organizations as well as canvas, ink and paper manufacturers have separated giclee printmaking into decor (as in lower longevity/quality) and fine art (as in higher archival as well as quality requirements). The most notable organization is the GPA, the Giclee Printers Association. The GPA assigns two different qualifications to applicants: the Tru Decor and the Tru Giclee. Both denominations are a Trademark of the Giclee Printers Association.

The decor market

Most of the giclee prints made nowadays are addressed to the market for home and office decor. These prints are made using quality materials and with possible archival ratings of a decade or more. Color fidelity standards should be decent, consistent from batch to batch. Under this assumption, no buyer should expect these prints to last 20, 30 or a 100 years.

The fine art giclee market

Prints made for fine art purposes are generally addressed to a different audience. These giclee prints are made with the finest materials, strict color guidelines. Only the best of everything goes into a fine art giclee print.

What does this mean to you?

Both as a buyer and a publisher you should be aware of the distinctions I noted above. I personally disagree with calling decor prints giclee prints. A giclee should always be made using the highest grade materials and strictest color standards. Otherwise a giclee is not a giclee, it is an inkjet print. Furthermore, do not fall into the trap of thinking that being certified by an organization automatically insures quality. Many of the top printmakers do not hold any trade association credentials. Most of them are college graduates in art, digital imaging, photography etc...One major flaw of the trade certification is the fact that once the test is taken, that is it. The skilled printmaker who took it may have moved on or the person in the company who does your job is not the one who qualified.

Conclusion

Although I appreciate the effort of some organizations to lend credibility to the giclee printmaking field, the true test stays in each individual result and the rapport established between the client and the provider. What I strongly agree with, as the GPA outlines, is the strict usage of particular brands , printers and inks. All too often I see printers mentioning giclees are offered i.e. on matte or glossy canvas, without the mention of what type and brand are being used. This is not acceptable: materials greatly vary in price and quality. For example a roll of 44" Epson PremierArt canvas costs about $270. There are overseas manufacturers who are making similar looking canvas for half the price. It may look the same but it is not. Ask what papers and inks are used. A reputable printing company should have all this information on its web site.