Things to know before printing

What is giclé?

Giclé printing is just a fancy name for the very high quality inkjet printing. No less than 300 dpi. Plus good archival (acid-free) paper or special smooth canvas. Canvas prints on the stretcher look indistinguishable from real art. The most expensive part of giclé is special long-lasting ink. Ink that doesn't fade for decades. That's why prices vary so much, depending on the size of a print.

Get the best quality

Aside from the printing on paper or canvas, most of the service providers offer additional services like mounting on the hard board, UV coating, framing, etc. Some of them print on metal (very smooth surface). Because this is ink-jet printing, the smother the surface – the better the final quality. That's why paper prints can offer better quality than canvas. But canvas can be stretched and look more "artistic". Those canvases are, of course, not the type of the canvas artist paint on. They are much thinner (have to be fed into a printer) and smoother. Metal print offer the best quality, but they are significantly more expensive.

I highly recommend to add UV coating for any prints. Stretched or mounted prints are also more expensive to ship than rolled ones. Printing sizes vary from 4"x4" – ~$2.5 to 60"x60" - ~$360 per print.

Media

Gicle Paper Are categorized by:
  • By Finish
    • Matte Papers: Offer a smooth, non-reflective surface ideal for prints that will be displayed under glass, showcasing subtle colors and fine details without reflections.
    • Luster Papers: Provide a semi-gloss, satin-like finish that offers a balance between a vibrant look and reduced glare, often preferred for photographic prints.
    • Glossy Papers: Feature a highly reflective, shiny surface that makes colors appear more saturated and enhances contrast, but can show reflections.
    • Metallic Papers: Give an iridescent or pearlescent quality to prints, creating a striking and vibrant look that is often chosen for contemporary artwork and photography.
    • By Texture & Material
      • Smooth Fine Art Papers: Such as Hahnemühle Photo Rag, are popular for digital art, photography, and prints requiring crisp detail.
      • Textured Fine Art Papers: Like Hahnemühle German Etching, mimic the feel of traditional media like watercolor paper and are excellent for enhancing paintings and drawings.
      • Baryta Papers: Offer a classic photographic paper look with a bright white surface, rich blacks, and high contrast, making them a favorite for monochrome prints.
      • Cotton Rag / Bamboo Papers: Made from natural fibers, these papers are known for their luxurious feel, archival quality, and ability to produce stunning, high-fidelity prints.
      • Key Factors to Consider
        • Artwork Type: Textured papers are great for painterly styles, while smooth papers are better for photography and digital art.
        • Weight: Thicker papers (measured in gsm) feel more premium, prevent wrinkling, and are better for framing.
        • Longevity: Choose acid-free, archival papers to prevent fading and yellowing over time, ensuring your prints last for decades.
        In my experience, Hahnemuhle Photo Rag gives the best result overall. But it's not the cheapest one.
Canvas

When choosing canvas, consider:

Metal prints offer very high quality, but tey are more expensive too.

Providers

Choose a commercial printer tat best suited for your work, location, media preferences. With a local service provider You may be able to do proofing before printing. A cheaper printing doesn't necessary mean worse quality.

Things to consider:

  • Prefer those who specialized in "fine art" rather than "photo" printing
  • Turnaround time
  • Free shipping
  • Large choice of medium
  • Ability to print larger sizes, on varies media
  • Customer support/communication
  • For you custom stationary, flat or folded invitations, consider those who specialize in such printing.
This people offer large choice of services and very competitive prices.