What Is Giclee Printing? A Guide for Artists & Photographers

Giclee printing is a high-quality inkjet printing process that uses archival pigment inks on archival paper or canvas to produce highly detailed, color-accurate fine art prints designed to last for decades with proper care.

It’s commonly used for gallery work, limited editions, and professional photography because it can reproduce subtle tonal transitions and fine detail while maintaining long-term color stability.

If you’re new to printing, start here: How to Print Your Art.

Definition: Giclee comes from the French gicler, “to spray.” It’s a digital printing process that lays down microscopic droplets of archival pigment ink on archival papers or artist-grade canvas.

If you’re reproducing an original piece, you may need professional scanning first.

A bit of history: In the early 1990s, printmaker Jack Duganne created the term “giclee.” Photographers like Graham Nash helped popularize the movement by adapting early inkjet systems for thicker fine art materials.

The word Giclee is pronounced zhee-clay, with the soft “zh” sound at the beginning (like the “g” in genre).

Artists and photographers choose giclee for the combination of detail, color accuracy, and longevity.

• Exceptional detail: preserves fine lines, textures, and gradients
• Longevity: archival inks and materials are designed for long display life
• Consistency: repeatable results for editions and reorders
• Business friendly: ideal for selling prints and fulfilling online orders

In short: giclee is pigment ink + archival media + calibrated workflow.

Care and display guidelines
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Giclee is an inkjet process, but not all inkjet printing qualifies as giclee. The term typically refers to professional pigment-based inkjet printing on archival media, using a calibrated workflow designed for fine art reproduction and longevity.

Fine art (giclee) uses archival pigment inks on acid-free papers or canvas for museum-grade longevity and color fidelity. Photo prints use RC photo papers designed for vibrant everyday display.

• Fine Art / Giclee: archival media, matte and textured options, ideal for editions and collector sales
• Photo prints: smooth RC finishes (luster, glossy), great for portfolios and decor

Compare surfaces in our paper and canvas guide or order a free media sample set.

Not all prints are created equal. If you’re deciding between giclee and C-type photo prints, this comparison helps.

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• Lithographs / screenprints: handcrafted processes with their own distinct look
• Giclee: a digital reproduction method designed to match the original closely

You’re paying for materials, calibration, and consistency.

• Archival materials that resist fading and deterioration
• Advanced printing systems that place microscopic droplets with extreme precision
• Pigment inks that maintain color stability over time

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With proper care, giclee prints can remain vibrant for decades.

• Keep prints out of direct sunlight and away from high humidity
• Use archival framing materials and UV-protective glazing when framing
• Handle prints with clean, dry hands and avoid touching the print surface

Longevity depends on display conditions and framing.

For a full guide: how to care for your prints.

• Printers: Epson SureColor class with UltraChrome PRO12 12-color ink-sets and high-precision printheads
• Papers: premium papers and canvas from Epson and Hahnemühle
• Workflow: calibrated color management, careful handling, and protective packaging

Every giclee order that leaves The Stackhouse goes through our 12-Point Inspection Framework before it’s packed and shipped. This process helps ensure consistency, accuracy, and quality across every print.

• Print accuracy: correct media, size, orientation, and border options
• Image quality: sharpness, color consistency, banding, and ink artifacts
• Physical condition: surface marks, dents, edge damage, or handling issues
• Finish and packaging: clean trim, careful handling, and protective packing

For a full breakdown of what we check at each stage, see our 12-Point Inspection Framework.

1. Prepare your file: TIFF/JPEG/PNG, 300 PPI at final size, Adobe RGB (1998) or sRGB
2. Preview and proof: confirm crop and print a small test when needed
3. Print and finish: print on selected media, trim, inspect, package

For file prep details, see: File Prep, Resolution, and Color.

If your file is not set up correctly, even the best printing process cannot save it. Use this checklist to make sure your artwork prints clean, sharp, and true to color.

Full checklist and guidance: File Prep, Resolution, and Color.

Before you order, decide how the print will be displayed. Framing, matting, and trimming can change what is visible near the edges.

For sizing and border guidance, see: Print Sizes, Borders, and Cropping.

Your choice of paper or canvas transforms the look and feel of your print. Start here: Choosing the Right Paper and Canvas.

Shop by material:
Fine Art Papers
Canvas
Photo Papers

From smooth cotton to textured watercolor surfaces, here is a quick comparison to help you choose.

Canvas offers a tactile, ready-to-display presentation. Here’s how satin and matte compare.

For vibrant photography and contemporary artwork, these photo papers deliver exceptional color and sharpness.

Giclee is designed to reduce common print problems like color shifts, loss of detail, and premature fading.

Choose giclee if you are selling premium prints, building editions, or preparing work for galleries and collectors.

If you need bulk, lowest-cost runs for short-term use, photo prints may be a better fit.

If giclee is the right process for your work, the next step is choosing the right print format for how you plan to display or sell it.