Giclee: Allpconline Company Blog
Thursday, May 08, 2008
Proofing before proceeding with the final giclee prints
When sending digital files to us for printing, it is best (at least when first starting with us) to ask for proofs. Although many of our clients have small printers they pull proofs with, it is impossible for us to know if the correct color work flow is followed. In theory (and practically as well), a decent small inkjet printer can come pretty close in color to our output if the right profiles and set up are implemented. This is why we suggest to compare your output to ours to make sure we are on the same page.
We make it inexpensive for our customers to order 8X10" proofs on the same paper or canvas as their final order will be. Shipping is $5; the first proof is $10 and any additional proofs in the same package are $5. Once the proofs are approved, we guarantee color on the final sizes. If proofs are not requested, we cannot and will not accept returns if the color is off. Proofing is an essential part of the digital work flow in any professional printing shop. It is an insurance that no surprises will come when hundreds of dollars have been spent on large format giclee prints. Many of our repeat customers started proofing in the beginning and quickly realized their printing was in sync with us; others realized they were doing something wrong and after talking to us corrected the problems. No matter what the situation is, please proof first!
We make it inexpensive for our customers to order 8X10" proofs on the same paper or canvas as their final order will be. Shipping is $5; the first proof is $10 and any additional proofs in the same package are $5. Once the proofs are approved, we guarantee color on the final sizes. If proofs are not requested, we cannot and will not accept returns if the color is off. Proofing is an essential part of the digital work flow in any professional printing shop. It is an insurance that no surprises will come when hundreds of dollars have been spent on large format giclee prints. Many of our repeat customers started proofing in the beginning and quickly realized their printing was in sync with us; others realized they were doing something wrong and after talking to us corrected the problems. No matter what the situation is, please proof first!
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
Clarifications about the giclee process
We keep seeing an author (who posts on many social media sites) whose mission is to disparage giclee as a valid method of fine art reproduction. His attacks on the process come from different angles and stem from a misguided sense he is an expert both in the giclee technology as well as the marketing of art in general.
First, he states that many giclee printing companies falsely claim longevities of 75+ years for the product. His point is that giclee printing has not been around for that long, which means it is misleading to state such archival properties. My response is simple: first, there are independent labs that have tested giclee prints under intense UV radiation as well high humidity and heat. This is the same accelerated process used by scientists for decades. It is good enough for the governments of most civilized countries, including the US, but apparently not for him. I can personally testify, as I have been doing this for 20 years, that we have prints made then that are as brilliant as they were the first day they were made. In contrast, we have photo and offset prints that have completely faded.
Second, he proceeds to say that giclee is just a fancy term for an inkjet print, nothing more; just a marketing hype. My comment? A car is called a car, right? Just as a KIA or a Porsche. They are both called cars...mmm, I guess you see my point....
Third, he says that if buyers think that purchasing a giclee is an investment, they better forget about it. The "inkjet" print will never have any value or appreciation. This is the most ludicrous statement: it is not the object quality that commands value, but its desirabilty: demand and offer. Does anyone remember the artist who canned his own escrement in a limited edition and the cans sold for a lot of money? He wanted to make a statement and it sure worked. If Leonardo had made limited edition giclee prints and signed them, don't you think they would be highly sought after?
You will read a lot of different things about giclee, both on the positive as well as the negative side. One thing I agree on is that there are some companies out there claiming they produce archival prints but in fact use Chinese made papers and canvas and cheap bulk inks. These are not giclees but cheap inkjet prints. So, how do you know whom to trust? Hard to say, as even if there was a standard for giclee prints, it would be difficult for anyone to make sure that what they receive is truly the finest quality made product. We state what we use, both with inks and papers; stay away from companies who do not. An example? They will just say "matte canvas" or "textured watercolor paper", without telling who makes it.
There is a lot more about the subject but needless to say, making giclee prints has brought revenue to both artists and photographers. Well made prints sell: we have about 200 active clients who can testify to this. Ultimately it is your choice to take the plunge and try to market more than your original art, which, once is sold, will not make you any more money.
First, he states that many giclee printing companies falsely claim longevities of 75+ years for the product. His point is that giclee printing has not been around for that long, which means it is misleading to state such archival properties. My response is simple: first, there are independent labs that have tested giclee prints under intense UV radiation as well high humidity and heat. This is the same accelerated process used by scientists for decades. It is good enough for the governments of most civilized countries, including the US, but apparently not for him. I can personally testify, as I have been doing this for 20 years, that we have prints made then that are as brilliant as they were the first day they were made. In contrast, we have photo and offset prints that have completely faded.
Second, he proceeds to say that giclee is just a fancy term for an inkjet print, nothing more; just a marketing hype. My comment? A car is called a car, right? Just as a KIA or a Porsche. They are both called cars...mmm, I guess you see my point....
Third, he says that if buyers think that purchasing a giclee is an investment, they better forget about it. The "inkjet" print will never have any value or appreciation. This is the most ludicrous statement: it is not the object quality that commands value, but its desirabilty: demand and offer. Does anyone remember the artist who canned his own escrement in a limited edition and the cans sold for a lot of money? He wanted to make a statement and it sure worked. If Leonardo had made limited edition giclee prints and signed them, don't you think they would be highly sought after?
You will read a lot of different things about giclee, both on the positive as well as the negative side. One thing I agree on is that there are some companies out there claiming they produce archival prints but in fact use Chinese made papers and canvas and cheap bulk inks. These are not giclees but cheap inkjet prints. So, how do you know whom to trust? Hard to say, as even if there was a standard for giclee prints, it would be difficult for anyone to make sure that what they receive is truly the finest quality made product. We state what we use, both with inks and papers; stay away from companies who do not. An example? They will just say "matte canvas" or "textured watercolor paper", without telling who makes it.
There is a lot more about the subject but needless to say, making giclee prints has brought revenue to both artists and photographers. Well made prints sell: we have about 200 active clients who can testify to this. Ultimately it is your choice to take the plunge and try to market more than your original art, which, once is sold, will not make you any more money.
Sunday, January 20, 2008
Giclee calibration
The most often asked question regarding color for giclee printing is how customers can find out the way their prints will come out. They look at their screen and expect to see a print with the same values as what they see at home or work. This is called soft proofing and it can be fairly effective if you know how to. We have a useful set of instructions on how to soft proof. Before you go to our page to prepare to soft proof, you need to calibrate the monitor or this will not work. Please go to http://www.allpconline.com/giclee_soft_proof.htm
Giclee up to 64" in width and 200" in length
We have now had the new Epson 11880 operational for over a month. The gamut and dot are fantastic; blues have improved with the addition of the vivid magenta inks and all the other color show the same great color purity expected form Epson pro line printer. This is definitely the best giclee printer we have seen. Orders are pouring in as demand for super wide giclee prints, especially on canvas, is strong. not many companies do have this printer. The Canon 60" inch printer (which is by the way almost half the cost) does not hold up to the dot quality, red and green rendition of the 11880. And, as always, Epson has arguably the best pigment inks (K3) on the market.
Saturday, November 03, 2007
Thursday, September 27, 2007
Printing on canvas
Giclee printing started with watercolor paper, which in the beginning was uncoated and done on the Iris printer with organic dye inks. As the process and technology evolved (with the introduction of pigmented inks), paper and canvas manufacturers started creating substrates that would expand the archival and color rendition quality of giclee prints. Canvas in particular has seen a continuing and ongoing evolution towards better materials. Current canvas is the same as traditional canvas except that a receptor layer is added to bind with the inks, creating stabilty, great D-max and wide color gamut. Please see our canvas printing page to familiarize yourself with the technology.
Thursday, July 26, 2007
Epson 11880 64" Wide format giclee printer
Continuing our commitment to provide the fine art and photography community with the highest quality giclee prints, Allpconline is on the priority list to receive the new Epson 11880. This new printer promises an elevation in print technology unheard of with the current offerings from other manufacturers.
Epson is the preferred choice for professional fine art printers, due not only to the superior nozzle technology but also the quality of pigmented inks. The Epson 11880 also fills the need to print on paper and canvas wider than 44". We are expecting the machine in October. As soon as we have the printer up and running, we will post an announcement as well a new price list.
Epson is the preferred choice for professional fine art printers, due not only to the superior nozzle technology but also the quality of pigmented inks. The Epson 11880 also fills the need to print on paper and canvas wider than 44". We are expecting the machine in October. As soon as we have the printer up and running, we will post an announcement as well a new price list.
Sunday, May 20, 2007
Giclee papers: Do you know what you are buying?
I will repeat this ad nauseam until everybody in this business conforms to one rule: the papers and canvas used to print on should be described not just as "matte canvas" or "watercolor paper". There is canvas and there is premium canvas. We could buy inkjet canvas from China for $100 a roll instead of more than double for i.e. PremierArt. We do not! We only use the best giclee printing materials and always will. We owe it to our customers to accurately describe what we use and deliver the best possible product.
Our products are described on the website. There is no bait and switch, no product substitution. What you see is what you get. Maybe that's why our order volume has risen 120% compared to the same period last year.
On another note, we keep getting new customers who left their current printers because just one little droplet of water on the canvas ruined the canvas giclee. This is unacceptable: our canvas is water resistant. Just ask our customers, many of whom do open air art shows. Please do not misunderstand: there are some extremely experienced, honest and capable giclee printing companies out there. There are also very inexperienced ones who either do not have the knowledge, will or skills to do what it takes.
Giclee printing is not just a matter of buying the machinery. We constantly sample new materials; we have worked in Photoshop since version 2.0' we hold college degrees in photography and digital imaging....and we are artists ourselves.
Our products are described on the website. There is no bait and switch, no product substitution. What you see is what you get. Maybe that's why our order volume has risen 120% compared to the same period last year.
On another note, we keep getting new customers who left their current printers because just one little droplet of water on the canvas ruined the canvas giclee. This is unacceptable: our canvas is water resistant. Just ask our customers, many of whom do open air art shows. Please do not misunderstand: there are some extremely experienced, honest and capable giclee printing companies out there. There are also very inexperienced ones who either do not have the knowledge, will or skills to do what it takes.
Giclee printing is not just a matter of buying the machinery. We constantly sample new materials; we have worked in Photoshop since version 2.0' we hold college degrees in photography and digital imaging....and we are artists ourselves.
Labels: giclee
