Aluminum Vs Canvas Vs Paper Giclee Art Prints, what’s the Difference?
If you’re looking to buy an art reproduction there are a couple options available and the more you know about the different giclee options the better you will be able to make a decision on what style of reproductions you will enjoy for your home or office. In this article we will discuss the three fine art reproductions you can collect: Canvas giclee, aluminum giclee and paper giclee. Lets dive in…
First, let's talk about the word giclee and what it means, and how to pronounce it… G-clay.
Giclee simply means the highest quality fine art print using the best ink jet printers to make art reproductions. The word was adopted in 1990 by Jack Duganne when he was producing new prints on a modified Iris high resolution printer. Giclee prints use fade-resistant archival inks that are pigment based. Basically giclee means the highest quality inks and resolution available. This is why so many artist use giclee printing for their fine art print reproductions.
What is a Canvas Art Reproduction or Print?
Canvas Giclees by definition is a fine art print on canvas. These reproductions are more traditional looking and fit a lot of artist styles as they are stretched over stretcher bars and look just like a canvas that an artist would paint on. One of the great aspects of the canvas giclee is that the artwork can stretch around the edges providing a wrap around look. This style allows for the collector to bypass the frame process if they choose and hang their artwork directly on the wall. These canvas giclees can be framed as well, which is great to have options. Another great aspect to the canvas giclee is that they can be ordered un-stretched, meaning they can be rolled up and not tightened over stretcher bars. This allows for easier shipping and or storage. It also allows the artist to order more prints at a time to save money without having to fork out the extra cost of stretching until the art piece has sold.
What is an Aluminum Giclee Art Reproduction Print?
Aluminum Giclee is a fine art print on aluminum panels. This medium allows for a very modern look and has the highest resolution of 300 dpi. Most often photos will be printed on Aluminum. This format has a shiny finish and is most often frameless. These aluminum giclees can be hung traditionally with wire and hook, or with a more stable french cleat that allows for the painting to always stays level. Here in Maui we have lots of wind so we like to use french cleats on all our artwork. Aluminum giclees will hang about 1" off the wall. They have a 1" square frame on the backside which can accept screws to attach your hanging mechanism.
Paper Giclee is a fine art print on your paper of choice. Paper comes in so many options and colors, but these fine art prints can be a lot cheaper to reproduce than an aluminum giclee. All our matted prints and paper giclees and printed on acid free archival paper which help make sure the quality of the print can last decades. When you are creating paper gicless make sure to use paper that will help translate your art and colors in the best way. The paper I use for my prints helps make the bright colors really pop off the paper.
Wether you are a collector looking to find the right type of print for your wall or a young artist trying to figure out what type of fine art reproduction to start experimenting with, feel free to reach out and ask a question. We are here to help.
Stay inspired, Aloha