A perfect copy

Advances in modern printing technology mean that artwork can now be reproduced as prints with stunning clarity and accuracy. Giclee is the name given to the process of fine art digital printing which combines pigment based inks with high end archival quality paper to present prints of superior quality. The word Giclee comes from the French verb ‘glicer’, meaning to squirt or spray. The process involves spraying microscopic dots of ink into high quality art paper or canvas. The image is colour corrected to match the original as close as possible and the digital image is fine tuned to match the paper or canvas. The process offers the closest possible copy of the original piece of art.

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Giclee printing is a great option for artists as digital print technology can quickly produce high quality copies of artwork. It is fade-resistant and offers good stability. Finding a professional giclee printing service need not be difficult and be sure to ask for pigment inks as dye-based inks will fade and if you are selling the copies then the you’ll want the colour to be just right. For Artwork Copying, visit http://www.river-studio.com/services/index.php.

Giclee prints offer more exquisite fine-tuning in the detail of reproducing the original than you would get with a regular digital copy. The methodology in the process includes calibration of the Colour Management System and repeated massaging of a minute area on the file of a piece of artwork to retain all the original features like colour and shadow. Even top inkjet printers cannot match the quality of giclee prints. The reason for this is the size of the ink spray. Giclee inks are applied in microscopic droplets which offer a far higher resolution.

Using archival paper to increase the longevity of the print is another bonus. The inks that are used have been thoroughly tested and are estimated to last for 90 years on canvas and 100 years on archival paper. Giclee prints are not just limited to paper either and can be applied to other materials, including canvas, to great effect. Prints can also made on metal and photo prints are also available. The application of the ink is more accurate with giclee printing and the ink generally has a superior colour accuracy as there is a wider range available. When a giclee print is held up next to an inkjet print, the difference is very noticeable. The giclee is more vivid, sharper and can still be considered a work of art.

Those who operate giclee printing presses have extensive training for using the higher end equipment and also have access to state of the art colour management systems and quality checks. Therefore, if you want the best possible reproductions of your artistic efforts and hard work, then go for giclee prints and leave it in the capable hands of the professionals.