If you're seeking prints that stand the test of time, whether for a gallery exhibition or adorning your home walls, the choice between various printing methods can be daunting, especially if you're new to the world of printing.

Let's explore the fundamentals of two popular print forms, giclee prints and photo prints, to help you decide which method best suits your needs.

What Is a Giclée Print?

 

Giclee (pronounced like zhee·klay) printing involves wide gamut, pigment-based inkjet printers, and archivable papers. This combination of high-resolution printers and quality media results in exceptionally detailed and visually captivating prints.

The giclee printing process leverages inkjet technology to precisely spray fine ink dots onto the paper, faithfully reproducing the original image. Notably, giclee printers utilize a palette of 12 pigment-based inks, a significant step-up from standard CMYK printers.

 This expanded color range and meticulous spraying techniques ensure more accurate reproductions of your artwork and photographs. Giclee printing enables artists to replicate a wide array of art forms with remarkable fidelity.

Also, allowing artists of all types to experiment with and test their digital files on various media, such as canvas, paper, or fabric. 

What Is a Photo Print?

 

Photogenic, or Photo, printing involves light-sensitive media interacting with light during printing. The process entails exposing the paper to a photographic negative or a digital image file, resulting in a print created through a specialty printer or digital exposure unit. 

C-type printing offers crisp and photorealistic colors. Just like giclee printing, if you are using a digital C-type printer, the source of the image needs to be formatted and have a high enough resolution to look great. 

Photo printing is ideal for smooth color transitions and photographic details. Its use of light is great for reproducing film or digital photography, which are influenced by light from the start of the process.

Photo prints are frequently associated with photographs and photographers seeking to replicate the scenes they've captured. The photo paper commonly used for these prints is glossy, which can introduce more glare but boasts greater resistance to scratching.

What are the major differences?

Longevity and accuracy are key when selecting giclee prints. Archival inks and paper make these prints desirable for any artist or gallery. Paired with skilled printers aiming to reproduce your art file consistently for your customers, giclee prints are a reliable and easy choice. 

From researching other print shops that utilize photogenic printing, I found that this printing process works best on high- to semi-gloss papers geared towards realistic photographic definition. Depending on paper and proper storage conditions, C-type prints can last decades.

A primary distinction between giclee prints and photo prints lies in their quality. Giclee printers, coupled with the use of high-quality materials, yield archival art prints that surpass the standard photo print.

This superior quality is attributed to the broader spectrum of colors and intricate details achievable with giclee printers, thanks to their 12-color ink set and precise spraying techniques.

Moreover, giclee prints are notably more durable because they use acid-free paper materials. This durability prevents issues like yellowing and fading over time. If you seek a top-tier, long-lasting print, fine art giclee printing is the way to go.

When to Choose Each?


 Photo Prints Giclee Prints
Digital Photography 🌟 🌟
Film Photography 🌟 🌟
Black and White Photos 🌟 🌟
Digital Scans
🌟
Photographs of 2-D or 3-D artworks
🌟

 

Cost Comparison

Giclee printing can seem like the more expensive option at first glance. However, due to expanding technology and growing demand, both formats have similar pricing for loose prints. Print shops that offer high-volume photo printing can be cheaper per print than giclees. 

Finding a local or drop shipping printer can help save time and money within the printing process.

Explore Giclee Print Options

 

Now that you know the basics of giclee prints versus photo prints and their differences, you can choose the best prints for your next project. Browse our printing options at The Stackhouse if you want a high-quality giclee printing service. We provide our customers with archival art prints and other fine art printing services.

With any form of printing, getting sample sets or proofs is vital before doing a large run of prints. Testing file output on different media can help you pick the final product that is best for you and your art.