Charles Gause Fine Art

What is a Giclee' Print? What is an Artist's Proof?

In giclee printing, no screen or other mechanical devices are used and therefore there is no visible dot screen pattern. The image has all the tonalities and hues of the original painting. Giclee (pronounced Gee’clay) is a French term meaning to spray or squirt, which is how an inkjet printer works. However, it is not the same as a standard desktop inkjet printer, and is much larger. Giclee prints take much longer to make than standard lithographic prints.

Do Giclee printers use ordinary printers inks?
No. They use special light-fast inks, which, if kept out of the sun, will remain true for up to 25 years. The way the image is scanned is different also. The original is scanned directly on a scanner, or a large format transparency must be taken of the piece, and this is then scanned.

What kind of substrate is used for Giclee prints?
Giclee prints can be produced on many kinds of paper and canvas, and printers generally have several specific ones to choose from. I choose to print on canvas or Hahnemuhle Bamboo paper. My original paintings are on panel or watercolor paper, and I want the Giclee prints to be as close to the originals as possible, not only in colour, but also in texture. The Bamboo paper I use is 100% acid free and has an extremely long life however the canvas prints are more durable than paper as they do not crease when rolled for mailing and can be framed without mats and glass.

Artist's Proofs are prints that are set aside for the Artist. In the past they were the first images off the press. Now, they are prints that as an Artist, I check more extensively for possible blemishes. AP's are usually limited , with a much smaller number of images printed than the regular numbered edition . Because of the smaller amount printed hey are more sought after and demand higher prices.

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