Printing

For the artworks to have maximum longevity and quality, all artworks are printed using a method called giclee printing. “Giclee” is a French word meaning “to squirt out.” During this type of printing the printer squirts or sprays the ink when printing the artwork.

Pigment-based inks are used instead of the traditional dye-based inks in order to ensure that the colour is the most accurate to the design. Pigment-based ink is better prepared for sunlight and combined with archival paper, which is paper that will never yellow or deteriorate, the longevity of the print is significantly increased.

There are many prints out there that are identified as ‘giclee’, however for a print to be a true giclee print it has to be printed using pigment-based inks, archival material and a wide format printer that can hold up to 12 colours.

Why choose it?

Giclee printing is a method of fine art printing that achieves the most accurate duplication of an original artwork.

Colour – Colour is such a crucial consideration in my art making practice. The way we respond to a piece of art, its aesthetic appeal and the emotions it evokes, is largely influenced by the choice of colour. As giclee prints are printed on a printer that can hold up to 10-12 colours, the depth of colour possible is superior to other printing methods. There is a wider array of colours, the gradients are fluid and hues are more vibrant and accurate.

Resolution - My final artwork is a combination of drawing, painting, photography and digital editing, therefore having an artwork with a high quality resolution is paramount. A giclee printer not only has the capability to print at a very high resolution but it also has a much finer spray made possible by the quality of very fine nozzles used in the printing process. This ensures that gradients are seamless, the colours are more intense and the finish is finer.

Archival Paper – Giclee printing is able to be done on a variety of different substrates including heavy paper, canvas, poster paper and other substrates of different weights, textures and media. Therefore, the possibility of creating something that looks the most authentic to the artwork you are trying to reproduce is far greater. The paper chosen for my artworks is Canson Photographique Photo RAG 310gsm. This paper is made in France from 100% cotton and is a premium quality paper which boasts a beautiful smooth, matte finish. Archival paper is durable, long-lasting, premium and acid-free. It is dubbed ‘museum-grade’ because it is the same quality that is used in museums.

Longevity - Each artwork is carefully curated to capture a particular theme, message or feeling. It is designed to connect the viewer on an emotional and spiritual level to the theme of the art. It was important to me that the soul of the artwork was preserved for as long as possible. When handled with care, giclee prints will last more than a lifetime. Pigment inks are designed to last 100 years or more without fading or deteriorating. Combined with archival paper these artworks can be passed down to the next generation as a means of passing down a piece of your history.