GICLEE PRINTING
for Fine Art Reproduction

What’s in your ink? Dyes or pigments.

Dyes are soluble organic compounds that are inexpensive to print with, but their chemical bonding can leave them vulnerable to UV degradation over time. Dyes will initially produce an incredibly vivid print, but often at the expense of the longevity of the work, with magentas and greens fading first, then quickly down through the rest of the spectrum. Prints you often see in commercial businesses, made with dye inks, are easily recognizable by their dull, monochromatic tones, faded with even minimal exposure to light elements.

 

Pigments are particulates from a wide range of sources and compositions that are suspended into a solution, which creates the ink. Pigmented inks bond closely to the micro ceramic coatings present in printing media, which makes them naturally more resistant than dyes to conditional degradation. The use of pigments in fine art printing helps to ensure the highest protection of the work against fading and UV damage over time.

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We utilize the latest Canon Lucia Ink sets for fine art reproduction of colors previously off limits in printing, with precision in reproducing 99% of the Pantone-calibrated color gamut--from NEON to PASTEL.

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Select your surface:

Photo Papers

Choose from Glossy, Lustre/Satin, Metallic, and Canson/Arches Infinity Baryta Prestige.

● Traditional Glossy and Luster/Satin papers are each 300gsm and considered archival quality.
● Metallic paper is high gloss, 255gsm, and provides a highly-reflective and optically dense surface that mimics the effects of traditional silver halide printing.
● Canson/Arches Infinity Baryta Prestige is an acid-free, 340gsm cotton paper that contains a barium sulfate coating, which looks and feels like traditional darkroom papers.

Both metallic and Baryta papers provide the highest degree of optical density and clarity, perfect for HD and black and white photography.

Fine Art Papers

A standard for fine art printing, MOAB Entrada fine art paper is 100% cotton, acid free, 300gsm, and provides a smooth, bright surface for reproduction. Entrada paper contains archival-safe optical brighteners for increased reflectivity and brightness, while protecting against conditional degradation and yellowing over time.

Premium Fine Art Paper

Premium fine art papers we stock include Canson/Arches Watercolor and Hahnemuehle Bamboo papers.

Canson/Arches Watercolor is a heavy 300 gsm 100% cotton rag paper, featuring a mold-resistant treatment for excellent conservation qualities, as well as gelatin sizing to the core of the product for elevated strength and lustre.

With eco-friendly fibers and a slightly more natural looking appearance, Hahnemuehle Bamboo, at 265 gsm, uses bamboo as a foundation for strength and absorption without tearing.

Both of these papers are mould-made, or created using a Fourdrinier technique, which simulates the high quality and strength of traditional hand-made papers. They’re also acid-free, archival quality, and do not include optical brighteners, which ensures the greatest longevity of the finished product.

Canvas

We have a wide range of canvas selection, including shiny and matte options from Canon, Hahnenuehle, and Premier, and print standards on Simply Elegant's Matte 418 gsm, neutral pH, poly/cotton blended canvas that is archival, acid-free, and water-resistant for all standard printing. To protect from UV damage and abrasion, as well as enhance the color of your print on the matte canvas, we can spray the finished product with Lexjet’s Sunset coating.

Gallery Wrapped Canvas Giclee

Have your printed canvas gallery wrapped to create a piece that can be hung with or without additional framing. Edge widths are available in ½, ¾, 1, 1 ½, and 2 inch sizes.

Choose stretcher bars that are either ½ or ¾ inches for works that will have no printing along the edges or will also include framing. For works stretched on 1, 1 ½, or 2 inch profiles, a solid color, mirrored image, or “content aware” print continues along the edge.

Mirrored image printing on stretched canvas reflects the perimeter of the front of the work onto the edges, whereas “content aware” printing creates the appearance of continuity of the piece
across the edge.

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● For higher optical density, true-to-life coloration, and a smooth surface appearance, consider printing photographic works on either photo papers smooth papers.
● Fine art reproductions from watercolors, illustrations, and paintings not produced on canvas look best on fine art papers. Though canvas is also appropriate, the texture of the material may distract from content in a piece produced on a smoother surface.
● If the work was created on canvas, consider printing on canvas to replicate the tone and texture created in the original. You can also opt to have us leave the canvas uncoated, so you can later add layers of paint, gel, or varnish yourself.

 

Don’t see a surface you want to print on? We utilize RIP software management, a standard in optimizing printing for commercial and fine art purposes, to help us make the highest quality, color accurate reproductions available, regardless of your desired surface. Just tell us what you need, and we’ll find a surface that works for you.