The Giclée Process

The Giclée (jhee-clay) process blends newer digital technologies with Old World craftsmanship to create true art prints. Developed in the early 1990s, Giclée printmaking enables artists to produce prints truer to the original than traditional offset lithographs.

Steve Scheuring Fine Art uses Brilliant Studio to create Giclées. Each print is individually produced, using a seven-color digital press. Before reaching the press, the original artwork is photographed with a specially adapted 4x5 digital camera. This camera "scans" the image, capturing detail and preserving fidelity of color. The captured image is adjusted to match its original or enhanced to reflect the intentions of the artist.

After the proof is approved, the image is sent to press. Instead of using dots to form an image, the Brilliant press sprays millions of drops of ink directly onto the paper surface to create images continuous in tone. (Giclée is a French word meaning "spurt.")

Giclée prints have archival qualities vastly superior to offset prints. The special Giclée inks have been tested to last over 200 years under normal viewing conditions. Deep shadow detail is retained and images are produced with an extended range of color. The Giclée process allows artists to once again use hand-moulded art papers, giving the prints a true aesthetic quality.

Care For Giclée Prints

Because of their fine papers and delicate quality, Giclée prints must be handled with care. Their surfaces have a protective finish, but it is best to handle them like pastels or watercolors. When framing, do not touch the image with tools, oils or moisture. With care, Giclée prints will last several generations.

Process photos and text courtesy of Brilliant Studio.