How much does it cost to have giclee prints made
Andrew Henderson
Published Apr 21, 2026
PaperCanvasGiclee Print SizeGiclee Print SizeMedian Pricing8 x 106 x 8$559 x 127 x 9$6011 x 138 x 10$90
Are giclée prints worth anything?
Contrary to what some might think, reproducing artwork will not decrease the value of an original. In fact, giclée prints can actually increase the value of an original. Also because of the high quality, these prints can often increase in value over time. This is of course dependent on the artist.
What is the difference between a giclée and a print?
Inkjet Printer: Standard inkjet prints are made using dye-based inks. Giclees are made using pigment-based inks. High Resolution and Color: They have the sharpest detail and highest resolution, displaying a full-color spectrum. Giclees capture every shade of an original work.
How long will a giclée print last?
Giclee Prints Last Forever… With the right paper stock and ink set, your Giclée prints will be archival, which means that they’ll last for 150 to 200 years. It will retain its quality during your lifetime and the lifetime of your clients. That’s surely long enough to keep everyone happy… for what feels like forever.Why are giclee prints so expensive?
Because embellishments make the work more original, it becomes more valuable and rare. The high quality and long lifespans of giclées ensure that the prints appreciate in value. As an artist becomes more popular and their work becomes more in demand, their limited edition prints will increase in value.
Is giclee a good investment?
A giclee print is created to last. … A fine art giclee print is a valid investment when the cost of an original artwork is too high. It’s also a fabulous option for artists looking to offer a lower price point to customers, while maintaining the quality and originality of their work.
Are giclee prints good?
They are very accurate, archival prints. Sometimes, it’s very difficult to distinguish between giclees and the original artwork. It’s not uncommon for limited edition giclee prints to go up in value because of their rarity and high quality. They also become more valuable as the artist becomes more well-known.
Do giclee prints fade?
Longevity. First of all, giclee printing tends to hold its colors for far longer than standard prints. In fact, giclee prints are thought to last up to two hundred years before starting to fade. … With giclee printing, you won’t have to worry about fading or discoloration at all.Do giclee prints fade in sunlight?
Yes they can, if displayed under normal lighting conditions and the normal precautions are taken. Any pigment or dye, whether it be in an original painting, fine art print, photo print, paint, fabric etc. will fade more quickly if exposed to direct UV radiation i.e. sunlight.
What is Premium Giclee print?Premium Giclée Print Printed on thick, premium watercolor paper, this stunning print was made using a giclée printing process that delivers pure, rich color and remarkable detail.
Article first time published onWhat qualifies as giclee print?
Giclee is a French term meaning “to spray”, referring to how an inkjet printer works and how giclee prints are usually produced. These large format inkjet printers use small spraying devices that can both match color and apply ink precisely, giving artists a high-quality print of their original art explains ThoughtCo.
Do giclee prints have texture?
Typically, giclees are not textured unless they‘re printed on textured paper or canvas. However, texture can be added to giclee prints by hand. This uncommon process is done by adding a clear gel on top of a print and using the same motion as the original brushstrokes.
Are giclee prints numbered?
Usually giclée print runs will number around 100, this generally ensures the limited run of prints maintains rarity and collectability, but not so low as to prevent customers from finding them. However, any artist can dictate their own number of prints for their giclée print runs.
What does AP mean on a limited edition print?
The initials ‘AP’ instead of a number at the bottom of an image means ‘artists’ proof‘. With artists’ prints these are a necessary part of the production process, where proofs are taken until the artist is happy with the print.
How can you tell a real giclee from a fake?
First, if you can, run your hand along the surface of the art. If the paint is still resting on the surface of the canvas and has been layered, it’s likely an original. However, if it looks like the art is seeped into the canvas, then it’s likely a giclee.
Is Giclee the same as inkjet?
Answer: Nothing! They are all the same printing process. We call our prints Archival Inkjet prints. However, they are also known as a Giclée, Iris or Pigment prints.
Are giclee prints waterproof?
Although inkjet giclées have much higher archival properties than traditional prints, they typically aren’t waterproof. You should handle them like you would an original painting as any water that comes into contact with the paper can lead to inks bleeding, smearing and smudging.
Are giclee prints glossy?
Giclee Prints The Giclee printing process provides higher image detail than traditional photographic printing. Using seven dye-based inks, Giclee Prints offer vibrant color reproduction and enhanced image clarity on your choice of archival quality Deep Matte, Fine Art, Semi Gloss and High Gloss paper.
What is a watercolor giclee?
Giclée (pronounced “jhee-clay”) is a term used to describe the process of making fine art prints from a digital source using ink-jet printing. … Our giclées are adorned with a 1″ – 3″ border of textured watercolor paper and embossed with our official seal of authenticity.
Do limited edition art prints increase in value?
Smaller Editions Are More Valuable When edition sizes are small, the individual artworks in the edition become more rare—and this scarcity makes these pieces more desirable in the market. For example, a print by Frank Stella from an edition of 30 will be more valuable than a similar work from an edition of 100.
Is art a good investment in 2021?
If you love art and you’re looking for ways to diversify your investment portfolio, art investing can be a solid choice. “Not only does [art] appreciate over time, but it’s a strong way to diversify,” said Blair Haden, registrar at Restoration Division, a company that restores art pieces.
How do you handle giclee prints?
- Always handle you Giclée print wearing cotton gloves and avoid touching the print itself.
- If you don’t have gloves, make sure you have clean hands and do not touch the ink – even the smallest amount of oil or grease that occurs naturally can damage an inkjet.
What causes construction paper to fade?
Construction paper gets its bright colors from dyes and other chemical compounds. When sunlight hits the dyes, the chemicals in the paper react by changing into other chemicals that do not reflect color the same way, causing the paper’s color to change or fade.
How do you keep ink from fading on paper?
The best barriers that can be used to prevent fading inkjet prints are known as fixative sprays. Fixative sprays contain chemicals that are designed to counter ultraviolet rays which leach away the vibrancy and colour of the inks on the paper.
How many prints should be in a limited edition?
What Is a Good Number for a Limited Edition Print? Most artists will choose a number somewhere between 200 – 500 prints. Personally, my editions are 350. This range allows for a decent return and enough scarcity value to ask for a higher price.
How do you protect a giclee canvas print?
Seal Your Print The best choice is a giclee gloss coating to give your canvas a professional look and lots of protection. Also known as canvas varnish, a giclee sealer will protect both the ink and canvas from UV rays that can cause fading or yellowing.
Are giclee prints lightfast?
A giclee print made using pigment inks can be lightfast for up to 100+ years, but this depends on factors such as paper type and storage conditions. By using pigment based archival inks, the archival properties of a giclee print are significantly higher than traditional silkscreen or litho prints.
Are all giclee prints archival?
For exquisite, high-quality reproductions, giclee really is the best way to go. The name derives from the French word for ‘nozzle’ and is pronounced ‘Zhee-Clay’. It is an unregulated word, so has come to be used for any fine art that’s printed by an inkjet printer, usually archival (we will get back to this).
What is the difference between a lithograph and a giclee?
Lithography is a printing process which creates a print known as a lithograph. … Giclee prints (also called Iris) prints are created with an extremely accurate version of an inkjet printer, with the different inks mixing within the printer’s nozzle which moves cross the paper applying minute amounts of ink at a time.
What is giclee ink?
The term Giclée — pronounced gee-klay — was initially coined by printmaker Jack Duganne in 1991. Today, it’s used to describe fine art printing using pigment based, archival quality inks, manufactured on advanced inkjet printers.
What is the best selling type of art?
Abstract Paintings Since most abstract artwork doesn’t have a recognizable subject or relate to anything external, individual viewers can interpret an abstract painting for themselves. So it makes sense that abstract paintings are always top sellers.