Passion Publishing — Art Saving Animals

What is a giclée print?

Giclée prints are computer printed, extremely precise reproductions of an original work of art. Giclée, meaning "Fine spray" in French, is a process whereby tiny inkjets spray millions of droplets onto archival fine art paper or canvas. An original art piece is scanned and meticulously color calibrated to reproduce the original work as faithfully as possible in the print.

How should I take care of my giclée print?

As with any valued fine art piece, it is recommended that this print be displayed in indirect lighting conditions and away from any contact with moisture. Using archival materials for mats, backing and spacers, museum quality framing and UV protected glass/Plexiglas will add to the life of the print. The artwork should never directly touch the glass/Plexiglas.

Giclee prints on paper: The paper of the print itself needs to be handled carefully to prevent absorption of oils and/or marks from fingertips. Be careful to avoid dents and creases, since these are very difficult or impossible to remove later.

Giclee prints on canvas: When stretching canvas prints, to not steam the back of the canvas to remove wrinkles. This will cause your image to turn yellow and if not properly dried, will allow fungus to grow. When stretching using rounded stretcher bars, reduce the amount of tension by 10% to 20% depending on your relative humidity and temperature. This should reduce any sagging of the print in the future. Of course, changes in relative humidity and temperature will cause sagging even to originals. You should clean your canvas print with a dry, lint free cloth or brush. Never use a wet or moist cloth to clean your Giclee canvas print.

Please store your final canvas or paper piece in a somewhat controlled environment for humidity and temperature. The extra care given initially will allow you to enjoy your purchase for many years to come.