You may be wondering what the difference is between a giclée print and a digital print. Does it matter? More importantly, which one best suits your needs?
what is a giclée print?
A giclée (pronounced ZHEE’clay) print is made using a high resolution inkjet printer, pigmented ink and archival grade paper to create a museum quality reproduction of the original artwork. The resulting print is designed to maintain its depth of colour and fidelity to the original for decades, unlike the fading that may occur on some digital prints.
If you’re willing to pay a little extra per print, a giclée print is a great way to enjoy your favourite artwork long after the original has been bought, or if you want it in a custom size for your living space.
digital prints
Digital prints, on the other hand, are more affordable but less durable than a giclée print. They are made using standard digital printing techniques with dye-based inks on good quality cotton paper. At smaller sizes (A5) high resolution digital prints can look as good as giclée prints. But the colour can sometimes fade if exposed to direct sunlight for too long.
A digital print might be right for you if you’re after a smaller print or if you’re someone who enjoys changing the art on your walls every so often.