About the papers we offer for giclee

After testing about every giclee printing substrate available on the market, we have chosen to carry the smooth and textured watercolor by Hahnemhule, a well known paper manufacturer in Germany. In addition, we also offer different types of canvas including Fredrix and Epson PremierArt.

Our testing methodology focuses on 3 main points:

-Archival characteristics

-Gamut rendition

-Dmax

The first quality of a giclee prints is archival properties. A true giclee needs to stand the test of time. For canvas this means to be able to print on an acid free, neutral PH coating in order to prevent chemical reactions that would occur with a PH lower or higher than 7. Also, the canvas needs to have a certain amount of water and scuff resistance even before coating. Last, optical brighteners which now are used in some canvas and paper types, require the substrate to be coated.

Watercolor papers need to be lignin free and either made of alpha cellulose or cotton fiber. This creates a very stable compound that will not age, yellow or crack over time.

Second, the gamut rendition to print the brightest giclee is a function of the pigments used as well as the coating applied to the papers*. Again, we tested everything available and could not find a wider color rendition than that of the line we carry. Coatings are created with very precise and proprietary formulas. The coating quality is a function of how good the manufacturers' chemists are.

Third, Dmax: Blacks are what makes a print punchy when amounts of black are present in the shadows. Again, this is a function of coating, inks and substrate*. We compared all samples sent by manufacturers and we were surprised to see the wide differences among the same types of canvas or watercolor papers.

*Note: RIP, printer drivers also affect gamut rendition and D-max. All things being equal, the papers and inks used to print a giclee will ultimately affect how hue, brightness and saturation are rendered.

When shopping around make sure you ask what type of inks and paper are being used. It is easy to offer materials that literally cost half of brand name products at the expense of longevity and color consistency.

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