Pronounced (zhee clay). Giclee is a system of reproducing high quality fine art prints using an ink-jet printer. The giclee process began in the early 90's and as the materials improved, it has become more acceptable for reproductive printmaking.
The term "Giclee" is derived from a french word that means to spray or to squirt. The images are created by using an external computer device (such as a scanner) then stored into the computer as a digital file. The images are then printed with archival inks, as small microscopic dots, literally millions of beads of ink, onto a substrate such as canvas or archival watercolor paper. The giclee system has the ability of providing the customer better color quality than other methods of printing, thus, producing stunning fine art reproductions.
Prints are made using 8 or more colors of specially developed inks, printed from an ink-jet printer. Researchers have indicated that the use of these highly formulated inks, printed on special substrates and placed under glass, gives the fine art print a life up to 100 years.
The printers used for the giclee process are able to produce images of the highest quality and detail, making it very attractive to the fine artist, dealer, collector or gallery. Often, these prints are mistaken as iris prints, a four color print process introduced by Iris Graphics in the late 70's, a manufacturer of ink jet printers. Customers and artists should not mistake the two processes of printing, and should ask about the methods being used.
Giclee prints offer artists and customers many advantages, from customized sizes of an image to controlled reproduction costs. Many artists and galleries in New York and around the country are using giclee prints for fine art reproduction.