gi·clée ZHēˈklā/nounnoun: giclée; plural noun: giclées; noun: giclee; plural noun: giclees
- a technology for fine art or photograph reproduction using a high-quality inkjet printer to make individual copies.
- a print produced using the giclée process.
According to Wikipedia:
Origins
The word giclée was appropriated by Jack Duganne, a printmaker working at Nash Editions. He wanted a name for the new type of prints they were producing on the IRIS printer, a large-format, high-resolution industrial prepress proofing inkjet printer they had adapted for fine-art printing. He was specifically looking for a word that would not have the negative connotations of "inkjet" or "computer generated". It is based on the French word gicleur, which means "nozzle" (the verb form gicler means "to squirt, spurt, or spray"). One unintended consequence of Duganne's choice of name was its problematic use in the French language since it is also modern French slang for male ejaculation.
Current usage
Beside its original association with IRIS prints, the word giclée has come to be associated with other types of inkjet printing including processes that use fade-resistant, archival inks (pigment-based), and archival substrates primarily produced on Canon, Epson, HP and other large-format printers. These printers use the CMYK color process but may have multiple cartridges for variations of each color based on the CcMmYK color model (such as light magenta and light cyan inks in addition to regular magenta and cyan); this increases the apparent resolution and color gamut and allows smoother gradient transitions. A wide variety of substrates is available, including various textures and finishes such as matte photo paper, watercolor paper, cotton canvas, or artist textured vinyl.
Applications
Artists generally use inkjet printing to make reproductions of their original two-dimensional artwork, photographs, or computer-generated art. Professionally produced inkjet prints are much more expensive on a per-print basis than the four-color offset lithography process traditionally used for such reproductions.
Our Quality
Jennifer Kaiser Giclees are printed using the highest quality inks and canvas in the market. According to the Lightfast ratings from Wilhelm Imaging Research, all Kaiser giclees are printed of EPSOM Ultra Chrome ink onto PremierArt Water-Resistant Canvas that has a fade resistant life of 75 years! Lightfastness ratings are based on accelerated testing of prints on specialty media displayed indoors, under glass. Actual print stability will vary according to media, printed image, display conditions, light intensity and atmospheric conditions. Lightfastness ratings do not measure paper deterioration, such as yellowing. Epson does not guarantee the longevity of prints. For maximum print life display all prints under glass or lamination or properly store them. Ratings based on testing conducted by Epson and Wilhelm Imaging Research. As with traditional photos, proper care will maximize display life.
www.wilhelm-research.com
**Testing currently in progress. Projected time estimated on current progress of test.