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What is a Giclée? Care for Your Giclée on Canvas |
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What is a Giclée? Care for Your Giclée on Canvas |
What is a Giclée?The art of fine art printing has become even more precise with the advent of the revolutionary giclée (ghee-clay) printing process. A giclée print is as rewarding visually as it is technically amazing. For Brilliant, Exquisite color and razor sharp detail it is unsurpassed. This type of art reproduction is quickly becoming the new standard in the art industry, and is widely embraced for its quality by major museums, galleries, publishers, and artists. A giclée print is simply the closest duplication of an original artwork that is humanly, mechanically, or technically possible.
The cornerstone of this process are enhanced digital ink jet printers which are specifically designed for the rigorous and precise criteria of fine art collectors and connoisseurs of museum quality, limited edition prints.
The word giclée itself is French, and means spurt or squirt, in this case meaning, "spray of ink". From a hundred of ink jets more than a million droplets of ink per second are sprayed on a canvas or watercolor paper spinning on a drum. Once completed an image is comprised of almost 20 billion droplets of ink. The latest giclée printing technology enhanced the standard 4-color process to an 8 color process.
The resulting print has no perceptible dot pattern, an endless array of richly saturated color, and every nuance of the original image. The most archival, water based light-fast inks available in the world are used. The latest inks offer a 70-year light-fastness and UV-resistance under museum archival conditions.
Beyond this description, a giclée print simply must be seen to be fully appreciated. Fine art galleries across the country are warmly receiving giclées.
Giclée prints have an impressive exhibition record. They have been shown in museums and galleries though out the world. A few examples are...
The Metropolitan Museum (New York) Los Angeles Museum of Contemporary Art The Los Angeles County Museum Zimmerli Museum of Art-Rutgers University The British Museum National Museum of Art Philadelphia Museum of Art The New York Public Library Sam Francisco Museum of Art The Corcoran Gallery Laguna Museum of Art The Washington Post Collection
What is a Giclée on Claybord? (aka "Gessobord)Gessobord is a wood hardboard panel that is coated with an acrylic gesso. Giclée prints on paper and canvas can be adhered to the claybord. This allows artists to offer their work in a “rigid” state as opposed to just on paper or canvas, making it easier to handle. It also helps eliminates the concerns over the canvas expanding and contracting due to conditions such as heat, cold, dryness and humidity.
How to Care for Your Giclée on Canvas (stretched over stretcher bars)
To clean your giclée, dry dust only!
Giclée inks are not conducive to water or liquid of any kind. If water or liquid should spill on the print, wipe it off immediately.
It is recommended by the artist, that a canvas giclée be framed without glass, to have it represent the original painting. The protective coating on your giclée will give it a degree of protection, but if your giclée will be in an area where it will be subjected to liquid, it is recommended to put glass over it to protect it.
If the canvas should stretch or become loose over time, DO NOT spray the canvas with water! Place the giclée in a heavily air conditioned room for a time to tighten it. If this does not work, a local framer should have the skill to restretch the canvas.
Even though this giclée has an ultraviolet protective coating, keep it out of direct sunlight, for longevity of the colors.
How to Care for Your Canvas Giclée on Claybord
To clean your giclée, dry dust only!
Giclée inks are water soluable, therefore they are not conducive to water or liquid of any kind. If water or liquid should spill on the print, wipe it off immediately.
The artist recommends framing you canvas giclée without glass, to have it represent the original painting. The protective coating on your giclée will give it a degree of protection, but if your giclée will be in an area where it will be subjected to liquid, it is recommended to put glass over it to protect it.
Even though this giclée has an ultraviolet protective coating, keep it out of direct sunlight, for longevity of the colors.
The black frame that the artist has selected, has a rubber finish. It can be cleaned with a paper towel dampened with water or a glass cleaner.
Claybord (aka Gessobord) is a wood hardboard panel that is coated with an acrylic gesso for strong adhesion. Claybord panels are pH neutral and acid free. With this and proper care, your museum quality giclée will last for a lifetime.
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