The word Giclee is from a French word meaning "to spray or squirt." This is basically how a Giclee print is produced. The Giclee printer is a large format ink jet printer using 8 to 12 colors of archival pigmented ink. Archival pigmented inks are rated to last 150 years or more. and have waterproof and UV protective properties. The high resolution standards of Giclee printers can repeat original artwork faithfully without any visible dot patterns. True Giclee is reproduced on stretchable canvas or watercolor paper. The artist, working along with the printer, produces a print that is now a new art form.
Pigmented ink is made from natural, mineral and biological material mixed with resin, producing a color more fade and water resistant then traditional ink or dye. Archival pigment inks are made from 100 percent pigment in a fine micro-dispersion sprayed through a fine inkjet print head. This process allows a large amount and intensity of color to be applied. Archival pigmented ink is used in Giclee printing because digital printing process and fade resistance is a concern when printing digitally. This new technology eliminates problems with traditional print reproduction methods of color longevity.
Giclee prints are done on treated canvas and papers. Canvas prints are done on treated 19 millimeter polycotton or chromata canvas. Chromata canvas has a more yellow undertone and is more expensive. Giclee canvas prints are made stretched or unstretched, suitable for framing or gallery wrapped. Gallery wrapped means the image wraps totally around the canvas frame end to end. Papers used are also specially treated. Matte cotton rag papers and watercolor papers are most commonly used. Photographic Giclee prints are done on glossy photographic papers. Companies that produce Giclee prints will accept the images uploaded from a disk or through and email file.