Giclée Printing: The Ultimate Guide for Artists and Photographers

Giclée printing is one of the best choices for artists and photographers who want to create gallery-quality reproductions of their work. In short, giclée printing is the process of using professional inkjet printers with archival-quality inks to produce prints on a variety of archival media types, such as fine art papers and canvas. This method is favored for its ability to capture even the most subtle details and tonal variations. This makes sure that the final print closely matches the original artwork or photograph.

Because of its precision and durability, giclée printing is widely used by galleries, museums, and collectors for exhibitions, limited edition runs, archival purposes, and much more. The result is a print with true-to-life color, exceptional richness, and long-lasting quality that can endure for decades without noticeable fading when properly cared for.

So what exactly is meant by “giclée printing”? What is the difference between a print and a Giclée print? In this guide, we’ll answer common questions about the process. We’ll cover materials, techniques, archival standards, and display options. Having these answers in hand should help you determine whether giclée printing is the right fit for showcasing your creative work.

Ready to print?

Definition: Giclée comes from the French gicler, “to spray.” It’s a high‑quality digital printing process that uses professional inkjet printers to lay down millions of tiny droplets of archival pigment ink on archival papers or artist‑grade canvas. The result is a print that closely matches the original artwork or photograph in color and fine detail.

Need your original scanned first?

A bit of history: In the early 1990s, printmakerJack Duganne created the term “giclée.” He used it to set apart museum-quality inkjet prints from regular commercial prints. Photographers like Graham Nash, known from Crosby, Stills and Nash, helped kick off the movement. They modified new Iris inkjet printers to print on thicker materials. They actually used a hacksaw to cut the printer's head off. Then, they mounted it back on with more space underneath. This was ridiculous at the time because an Iris inkjet ran around $120k.

Learn more printing basics

The word Giclée is pronounced zhee-clay, with the soft “zh” sound at the beginning, just like the “g” in the word genre. Think of the opening sound in “genre” followed by “ee-clay,” and you are saying it correctly. Below, you can even hear me say the word. Rest assured that you know how to say the word Giclêe.

Serious artists and photographers keep coming back to giclée because of the unmatched combination of detail, color accuracy, and longevity.

• Exceptional detail: High resolution preserves fine lines, textures, and gradients.
• Longevity: Archival pigment inks and substrates are designed for very long display life.
• Consistency: Calibrated workflows mean repeatable results across editions.
• Business friendly: Ideal for selling limited editions, fulfilling online orders, and building a professional portfolio.

Longevity & display care tips
See customer results
Get free paper samples

Not all prints are created equal.

If you’re trying to decide between giclée prints, standard photo prints, or traditional printmaking, this section will help. It explains the differences so you can choose the best option for your art.

Compare photo prints

• Lithographs / screenprints: Handcrafted, limited runs with their own unique look; not 100% perfect reproductions, but good fidelity and color.
• Giclée: Digital reproduction designed to match the original’s color and detail closely.

Not sure which media to choose? See the Media Guide

You are paying for:

• Archival materials that resist fading and deterioration.
• Advanced printers that place microscopic droplets with extreme precision.
• Pigment inks that are colorful and long‑lasting.

For artists selling their work, better materials and fidelity support higher perceived value and fewer returns.

See current pricing

At The Stackhouse, we don’t cut corners. Learn about the printers, inks, and workflows that go into producing every giclée print we ship.

• Printers: Epson SureColor class with UltraChrome PRO12 12‑color ink-sets and and high-tech printheads.
• Papers: Premium quality papers and canvas manufactured by industry leaders, Epson and Hahnemühle
• Workflow: Calibrated color management, white-glove handling, and protective packaging.

Your choice of paper or canvas can transform the look and feel of your artwork. Here’s how to match your creative style to the right archival media.

Shop by material:
Fine Art Papers
Canvas
Photo Papers

From smooth cotton to textured watercolor surfaces, discover the qualities of each fine art paper so you can make an informed choice.

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

Not every project calls for textured fine art papers. For vibrant photography, marketing prints, or contemporary artwork, our giclée-grade photo papers deliver exceptional color and sharpness while still offering archival quality. These papers are resin-coated for a smooth, consistent surface that enhances detail and contrast.

Color shifts, loss of detail, fading issues plague many prints. Giclée is designed to solve them. Here’s how.

Color banding or off tones
Paper texture or finish questions
Damaged print or defect

Not every project needs the museum-grade treatment. This section helps you decide if giclée is the best fit for your goals.

Choose giclée if you are:

• A artist or photographer selling premium prints or preparing for gallery shows.
  
• A collector or institution that needs faithful, long‑lasting reproductions.
  
• A brand or studio that wants museum‑grade quality for clients.
  

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

Try a small test print
Talk to us

Skip the bulk orders and ship directly to your customers. See how our POD and dropshipping options keep your business lean and efficient.

• No minimums and on‑demand fulfillment
• Third‑party fulfillment for online shops and marketplaces
• Consistent quality control across orders

Apply for a Pro Account
How POD works