I normally don’t repeat an article but too many people are asking about the difference between the types of reproduced art… in other words… “what is the difference between a print or poster, lithograph and a giclee?”  So I’ve decided to give some information that I have previously written about. 

A print, such as an open edition print  or poster (an unlimited number of prints which can be printed for years, if the artist or publisher so desires.)  is usually done in 4 color printing, which  consists of three primary colors – red or magenta, yellow, blue and black,  and is reproduced on different types of paper. 

Magazines and newspaper photos, some posters and catalogues are usually done with 4 color printing.  The color printers you find in your office use 4 color printing.  

The paper may be an archival paper, which means it is a cotton rag paper (made from cotton) or an acid free paper, both of which are used for collector’s book and magazines, fine art and some collectors posters. 

Other paper may not be archival, (meaning free of damaging acid)  and is used for magazines, newspapers or everyday printing.   The printing method is similar to a lithograph, meaning offset printing.  The difference is the type of paper being used and the number of colors.

Now we get to a lithographic limited edition print, which is done on an archival paper and may use as many as 25 or more different colors to achieve the look of the original. 

The way to tell if it is a lithographic print is to take a powerful magnifying glass and hold it close to the print.  You  will see little dots of color, which when viewed without the magnifying glass, blend together to form multiple colors.  This is true of magazines, fine art or even newspaper color pictures. 

The difference is the fine art has a higher resolution than other printing, meaning the dots are closer together and there is more variety of color. And, with the lithograph, a plate for each color is used to print the color onto the paper, called offset printing. 

Giclee  (g clay), which means “to spray on” in French,  is done on a very refined ink jet printer for the limited edition giclee  art.  Many of you may have an ink jet printer in your office but it is not as costly as the ones used for fine art. 

A digital image of the art is made and put into the printer’s computer. After the artist and printer work together refining the digital image, the printing may begin.  The ink is “sprayed onto” the paper and if you take the same magnifying glass and look at the image, the color is solid, no dots of color. 

With fine art printing, it is necessary to use color fast inks or paint, an archival watercolor paper, which is a heavier paper, or a canvas in order for the surface to hold the paint.  Otherwise, a lighter paper would buckle. 

If you have an inkjet printer in your office, try using a thinner paper and see the slight buckle.  That is what would happen if lighter weight papers were used with the giclees. 

Another point about giclee printing is it is so close to the look of the original, and many artists have gone to this printing method for their art reproductions.  The art is either signed or signed and numbered. 

If the giclee is on canvas, an ultraviolet archival spray may be used for further protection of the art.  If you have any question about art, please email artgalrockies@msn.com or call 260 1873.