The Giclée Printing Process All Limited Edition Prints and 24 inch prints on canvas found at Panoramagraphs.com or Vistagraphs.net are giclée prints. The process, though relatively new, is now recognized as the most superior of print formats. Color quality and steadfastness are among its many fine attributes. Giclee is the print of choice of artist Steve A. Mizera, who originated panoramagraphs or vistagraphs. Giclée (pronounced zhee-clay) reproductions were originally developed in 1983 as a digital method of fine art printing. The word giclée is French for "a spray or jet of liquid." The images are either scanned from an existing work, or captured with a quality, high-resolution camera, and digitally stored in a computer. A digital darkroom, such as Photoshop, is often used to examine the image for possible defects. It is then sent through a designated computer for formatting and alignment then to the high-resolution inkjet printer. Unlike other printing methods, each image is sent to the inkjet printer individually. This advanced method has numerous advantages. Since each piece is individually produced, inventory costs for the artist are kept low, these savings are passed on to the collectors by way of pricing and larger selections. In the case of limited editions, each image is identical, from the first to the last in the series. Additionally, prints are fresh and clean not having suffered long storage periods. Some of the advantages of giclée reproductions: The artist prints only as needed without large up-front capital obligations and the storage problems associated with traditional lithography. It is the economy of the process that offers quality advantages. The process affords the collector a larger selection. The artist can present more works. Artists can produce inventory in response to the market demands. Currently, giclée reproduction is the fastest growing innovation in the fine art market. This contemporary technology produces incredible detail and brilliant colors. The actual (versus perceived) image resolution is higher than with traditional lithography, resulting in crisp contrast with rich, intense colors. Some artists may enhance and personalize their images by adding finishing touches by hand-painting over the printed image, enhancing or highlighting to produce original mixed media pieces. This "enhancement" is NOT done to vistagraphs. The printer examines the file and prepares a proof. ICC profiles are embedded by the artist to ensure color integrity.(The end product must match the image on a monitor.) Proofs are approved by the artist and the original digital file is maintained at the artist's studio with the master file in the control of the printer. Once a limited edition is completed the master and studio files are destroyed thereby assuring the integrity of the edition. The final step is curring process. The inks must have time - usually 24 to 48 hours - to cure or dry properly in a humidity-controlled environment. They can then be satisfactorily rolled and shipped in tubes. At panoramagraphs.com giclée prints are produced on high quality, treated canvas, similar to what is used by the painter and conditioned for the unique printing process. The media are specially treated to handle the digital inks. They are treated for absorption of the inks producing brilliant, velvety colors. Life-span estimates of prints by third-party tests indicate longevity in excess of 100 years. However, it is recommended that collectors handle these prints in such away that they would never be exposed to direct sunlight. Our giclees produced on canvas are treated with a UV light protecting layer. giclée printing is sometimes inappropriately referred to as a sophisticated form of inkjet printing, which offers an affordable way of reproducing artwork. Taking your first steps into the world of Fine Art reproduction can be a little daunting - here are a few answers to frequently asked questions. Q: How good is the resolution on giclée prints? A. Some printers offer exceptionally high resolution, 1800 dpi in the case of the Iris 3047 and MacDermid Colorspan printers. Vistagraphs are made using 2880 dpi on an Epson 9600. Comparing the claims of different printers can be tricky, with 'actual' and 'aparrent' DPI giving different figures. DPI isn't the only factor to consider, however: to create the appearance of a continuous tonal range, a printer must be able to produce graduated values for each color. Q: What size can I print my artwork? A.The print sizes will depend on the make and model of the printer to be used. Many printers do work in small standard sizes, from around 6x8 inches, through 8x10 up to very large sizes. Maximum sizes can be very large, with some printers taking 44 inch wide paper, and some even up to 71 inches, with rolls many yards in length. Keep in mind that if you want a large print, the source file will need to be correspondingly large and high resolution. Q: Should I print on canvas? A. In short, yes. Is canvas the appropriate medium for your style of artwork? Canvas offers a more permanent surface than photobase papers, though lacking the archival stability of watercolor paper, which would be preferable for pencil art. Canvas also has a relatively low dot gain compared to some papers. Canvas is a fairly robust surface, which can be rolled without cracking and can be stretched on to a timber stretcher for framing. Allow at least an inch and a half border around the print if you plan to stretch it. Canvas prints are usually sealed with a solvent-based varnish, which is available in matte, satin or gloss finishes. This protects the print from wear, and especially water, as most printing inks are water-based and vulnerable to water damage.

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