Giclee Prints vs. Photo Prints: What Is the Difference?

You’ll want high-quality prints that will last, whether you’re ordering reproductions of your work for a gallery or hanging the prints on your walls at home. You may be wondering what some of the differences are between common printing methods if you’re new to printing. Here are some of the basics of giclee prints versus photo prints. Learning the differences between each printing method will help you get a better idea of which method is right for you.

What Are Giclee Prints?

Giclee is a type of art printing technique that uses high-quality archival ink and paper, which results in a more detailed and visually appealing print. The giclee printing process uses inkjet technology to spray fine dots of ink onto the paper for precise recreations of the original image. Giclee printers use 12 pigment-based inks, which is much higher than the standard printer. These printers are also superior at matching colors, resulting in more accurate reproductions of your artwork and photographs. Giclee printing can help artists reproduce many diverse types of art to create prints.

What Are Photo Prints?

The process of making photo prints involves reproducing images onto chemically sensitized paper. The printing service exposes the paper to a photographic negative or a digital image file, producing a print with a specialty printer or digital exposure unit. Photo prints usually come from photographs and photographers looking to create replications of the scenes they capture. The photo paper commonly used for these prints is glossy, which can produce more glare but doesn’t scratch as easily.

Differences Between Giclee and Photo Prints

One of the biggest differences between giclee prints and photo prints is the product’s quality. Giclee printers and the high-quality materials they use result in high-quality archival art prints over standard photo prints. This superior quality is due to the higher range of colors and details giclee printers can produce with their 12 inks and detailed spray techniques. Giclee prints are more durable due to their high-quality, acid-free paper materials. These materials help the print avoid yellowing and fading over time. Choose fine art printing if you’re looking for a high-quality print that will last for many years.

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’re looking for a high-quality giclee printing service. We provide archival art prints and other fine art printing services for our customers.