What Is Giclee Printing? The Complete Guide
Giclee printing is a fine art printing process used to produce high-quality, archival prints with exceptional colour accuracy and detail. It’s widely regarded as the gold standard for reproducing artwork and photography.
If you’re asking “what is giclee printing?”, this guide explains what it is, how it works, what makes it different from standard digital printing, and when it’s the right choice for your work.
No fluff. Just the facts that matter.
Where Does The Term 'Giclee' Come From?
The term giclée was introduced in the early 1990s by French printmaker Jack Duganne, as high-resolution inkjet printers became suitable for fine art reproduction.
It comes from the French word gicleur, meaning “nozzle” or “spray”, referring to the way microscopic droplets of ink are sprayed onto paper. The term was adopted to distinguish high-quality, archival inkjet prints from standard commercial digital printing.
Today, “giclée printing” is often misused. Not every inkjet print is a giclée. The difference lies in the process, materials, and standards used.
HOW GICLEE PRINTING WORKS
At its core, giclée printing uses high-resolution inkjet printers with pigment-based inks to reproduce artwork and photographs with extreme accuracy.
Unlike standard digital printing, which typically uses four inks (CMYK), giclée printers use 8 to 12 inks.
This wider colour gamut allows for:
Smoother tonal transitions
Greater depth in shadows
More accurate colour reproduction
Better handling of subtle gradients and skin tones
The result is a print that closely matches the original artwork or photograph, without banding, colour clipping, or loss of detail.
Archival materials and longevity
True giclée prints are produced on archival fine art papers, designed to last for decades without noticeable fading or colour shift.
Most giclée papers are rated for 80–100+ years when displayed correctly.
Common options include:
100% cotton rag papers, smooth or textured
Alpha-cellulose fine art papers
Bamboo papers with a natural tone
Pearlescent or baryta-style papers for photographic work
Combined with pigment inks, these materials ensure long-term stability and professional presentation.
Giclée printing vs standard digital printing
The key differences come down to quality, longevity, and intent.
Giclée printing is designed for:
Fine art reproduction
Photography exhibition prints
Limited edition prints
Gallery and collector sales
Standard digital printing is designed for:
Posters and marketing materials
Short-term use
Cost efficiency over longevity
While both use inkjet technology, the outputs are not comparable in terms of colour depth, archival performance, or finish.
Who uses giclée printing?
Giclée printing is commonly used by:
Artists producing editioned prints
Photographers selling exhibition or collector prints
Galleries and studios offering premium reproductions
Retailers selling high-quality art prints
It’s also used by interior designers, venues, tattoo studios, and brands that want museum-quality reproduction rather than disposable print.
If the work matters, giclée is usually the right choice.
In SHORT
Giclée printing is a professional fine art printing process that prioritises accuracy, longevity, and material quality.
By combining multi-ink printers, archival pigment inks, and specialist papers, it produces prints that faithfully reproduce original artwork and photography and are built to last.
If you care about how your work looks today, and how it holds up in years to come, giclée printing sets the benchmark.
Giclee Printing FAQ's
Giclee printing raises a lot of questions, especially once you start comparing it to other print methods. Below you’ll find clear answers to the most common questions about giclée printing, from materials and longevity to pricing and practical considerations.
What is giclée printing?
Giclée printing is a fine art printing process that uses pigment-based inks and archival papers to create high-quality, long-lasting prints. It’s designed to reproduce artwork and photography with high colour accuracy, smooth tonal transitions, and excellent detail.
What does the word giclée actually mean?
The word giclée comes from the French word gicleur, meaning “to spray”. It refers to the way microscopic droplets of ink are sprayed onto paper during the printing process. The term was adopted in the 1990s to distinguish high-quality fine art inkjet prints from standard digital printing.
Is giclée printing the same as inkjet printing?
Giclée printing uses inkjet technology, but not all inkjet prints are giclée prints. True giclée printing requires high-resolution output, pigment inks, archival papers, and professional colour management. Standard inkjet prints often use fewer inks and non-archival materials.
What makes a print a true giclée?
A true giclée print typically includes:
Pigment-based inks
Archival, acid-free papers
High-resolution printing
Accurate colour management and calibration
If any of these are missing, the print may still look good but wouldn’t usually be considered a true giclée.
How many inks are used in giclée printing?
Most giclée printers use between 8 and 12 inks, compared to the four inks (CMYK) used in standard digital printing. The extra inks allow for a wider colour gamut, smoother gradients, and better shadow and highlight detail.
What inks are used in giclée printing?
Giclée printing uses pigment-based inks, which are more stable and fade-resistant than dye-based inks. Pigment inks sit closer to the surface of the paper and bond more effectively with fine art materials, improving longevity.
What papers are used for giclée printing?
Giclée prints are produced on specialist fine art papers, including:
100% cotton rag papers
Textured watercolour-style papers
Bamboo papers with a natural tone
Baryta and pearl papers for photography
The best paper depends on the artwork, image style, and desired finish.
Are giclée prints archival?
Yes, when produced correctly. Giclée prints made with pigment inks and archival papers are designed to last 80–100 years or more under normal display conditions without significant fading or colour shift.
How long do giclée prints last?
Under proper conditions, giclée prints can last several decades. Factors such as light exposure, humidity, and framing all affect longevity. Using UV-protective glazing and avoiding direct sunlight helps extend lifespan.
Do giclée prints fade or yellow over time?
High-quality giclée prints are highly fade-resistant. Yellowing is uncommon when archival papers are used. Poor-quality papers or exposure to harsh conditions are usually responsible when fading or yellowing occurs.
Is giclée printing suitable for photography?
Yes. Giclée printing is widely used for photographic prints, particularly for exhibitions and limited editions. It offers excellent tonal range, fine detail, and accurate colour reproduction for both colour and black-and-white photography.
Are giclée prints considered museum quality?
Giclée prints are often described as museum quality because of their material standards and longevity. Many galleries and museums accept giclée prints when they are produced using archival processes and properly documented.
Is giclée printing worth it for artists and photographers??
For artists and photographers selling prints, giclée printing is usually worth it. It allows for consistent reproduction, professional presentation, and long-term durability, which supports higher pricing and collector confidence.
Can giclée prints be limited editions?
Yes. Giclée printing is commonly used for limited edition prints because it offers consistent results across editions. Artists often sign and number giclée prints to add value and authenticity.
Should giclée prints be signed?
Many artists choose to sign giclée prints, particularly limited editions. Signing can add perceived value and help distinguish prints from open editions, but it’s a personal and commercial choice.
Giclée printing vs art prints. What’s the difference?
The main differences are materials, longevity, and intent. Giclée prints use archival papers and pigment inks, while art prints often use smoother, non-archival papers and may be designed for shorter-term or lower-cost use.
Why is giclée printing more expensive?
Giclée printing costs more because it uses:
More inks
Slower print speeds
Specialist papers
Calibration and human quality control
These factors ensure accuracy and durability but increase production cost.
How much does giclée printing cost?
The cost depends on size, paper choice, and quantity. Giclée prints are priced higher than standard prints because of materials and production time, but they support higher resale prices.
What file resolution is needed for giclée printing?
High-resolution files produce the best results. As a general rule, files prepared at 300 DPI at print size offer excellent quality, though this can vary depending on viewing distance and image content.
What file formats work best for giclée printing?
TIFF and high-quality JPEG files are commonly used. TIFF files preserve more data and are preferred for critical work, while well-prepared JPEGs can also produce excellent results.
Does giclée printing require colour management?
Yes. Colour management ensures that the printed result matches the original artwork or photograph. Professional giclee printing involves calibrated printers and controlled workflows to maintain accuracy.
When is giclée printing not the right choice?
Giclée printing may not be necessary for short-term use, low-cost posters, or high-volume marketing materials. In these cases, standard digital printing can be more cost-effective.