What is giclée printing, and when do you need it?

If you've ever wanted to sell prints of your work, or keep a faithful copy of a piece before it leaves your hands, giclée printing is the standard worth knowing about.

What "giclée" actually means

Giclée (pronounced zhee-clay) is a fine-art printing method that uses high-resolution files and archival pigment inks to reproduce artwork in exceptional detail. Unlike standard inkjet or high-street photo prints, it's built for accuracy and longevity — the colours stay true and the print resists fading for decades.

How it differs from an ordinary print

• Colour accuracy — pigment inks match the original far more closely than dye-based prints.
• Detail — high-resolution scanning captures brushwork, texture, and subtle tonal shifts.
• Longevity — archival inks and quality paper mean prints last a lifetime rather than yellowing in a few years.
• Paper choice — printed on proper fine-art stock, not glossy photo paper.

When it's worth it

Giclée is the right choice when you want to:

• Sell limited-edition prints of an original painting or illustration.
• Reproduce a commissioned piece before handing over the original.
• Create gallery-quality copies for exhibitions or your own records.
• Preserve a treasured work in a stable, archival form.

For everyday snapshots or quick copies, a standard print is fine. But when the work matters — and you want it to look and last as it should — giclée is the standard professionals rely on.

Our giclée service

We offer high-resolution scanning and giclée printing in-store, so your work is handled with care from start to finish. Pop in or get in touch to talk through your piece and the paper options.