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The Inside Scoop on Why Giclee Prints are So Special!

So, What Exactly IS Giclee?

Great Question. I remember when I didn’t know what the heck Giclee printing was or even how to pronounce it. 
I am really excited to tell you why Giclee prints are so amazing!
 
Giclee is a French word. In America, it is most commonly pronounced more like  jhee- clay. 

Why Giclée Printing is the Gold Standard for Fine Art…

When you fall in love with a piece of art, you want it to last a lifetime. That’s where giclée printing comes in. More than just a “print,” a giclée is a museum-quality reproduction created with archival pigment inks on luxurious, acid-free paper. The result? Every brushstroke, color shift, and subtle texture from the original comes alive with breathtaking clarity. Unlike standard prints that fade or yellow, giclées are made to last over a century when matted and framed correctly.

Using acid-free mats and UV protective glass will ensure your favorite artwork remains as vivid and powerful as the day it was created. Hanging without glass may shorten the life expectancy to about 50 years, but much of this has to do with how much light is shining on the work. For collectors, decorators, and anyone who believes in surrounding themselves with beauty, giclée is the ultimate way to bring fine art home.

 
Giclee printing is a specialized way of applying ink to the paper in fine art reproduction. It is done in combination with acid free paper or canvas.
 
The inks used in Giclee printing  are pigment based. This means they are light-fast and therefore resist fading, as opposed to traditional dye-based inks.
Close detail of watercolor horse painting showing light, anatomy, and calm expression
greetings cat
 
 
 
The Giclee process uses a wide range of colors resulting in vivid color and high resolution details. 
 
Giclee prints are considered archival quality when paired with acid free paper. They will last a lifetime when framed properly!
 
 Giclée prints are considered among the best available fine art reproductions and are used in galleries and museums.

How long do archival inks last?

Fine art printed with archival pigment inks on luxurious, acid-free watercolor paper, is considered the gold standard for  reproduction. It captures every brushstroke, vibrant color, and delicate detail of the original painting. Unlike standard prints, giclées are made to last 100+ years without fading when matted and framed correctly, giving you a collector-worthy artwork that feels as timeless as the original.

Breaking Through, blue green and gold mixed media horse art on a blue wall
My prints are on Epson premium watercolor paper. This 340g, Bright White, water-resistant velvet fine art paper is made from 100% cotton fiber and is acid and lignin free. Extremely thick durable paper for premium archival prints.  

 

So, if you are giving fine art Giclee prints as a gift, the memory will truly last a lifetime!