What is a giclee? Giclée (pronounced "zhee-clay") is a French word meaning "a spraying of ink." With the advent of giclée, the art of reproducing fine art has become even more precise. Giclées have the highest apparent resolution available today -- as high as 1,800 dots per inch. In addition, since no screens are used, the prints have a higher apparent resolution than lithographs and a color range that exceeds that of serigraphy. Displaying a full color spectrum, giclée prints capture every nuance of an original and have gained wide acceptance from artists and galleries throughout the world.
The patented printing technology utilizes microscopically fine droplets of ink to form the image. A print can consist of nearly 20 billion ink droplets. The microscopic droplets of ink vary in sizes (approximately the size of a red blood cell) and density. This unique patented feature produces a near continuous tone image, smoother gradation between tones, and a more finely differentiated color palette. the giclee is the next thing to buying the original.
What is a numbered print? Numbering refers to labeling on a print that specifies its place in the order of its production when it is one of a limited edition. limited edition prints are much more valueble than open edition print.
What does ‘S/N’ mean? S/N is a symbol used to indicate that a limited edition print has been signed and numbered by the artist himself/herself.
What is an edition? An edition is a set of identical prints, sometimes numbered and signed, often printed under the supervision of the artist. Two numbers are often written at the lower edge of a print -- the first indicating the print’s place in the order of all prints in the edition, the second number indicating the total number of prints in the edition.
What is an Open Edition?
Open Edition means there is no limit to the number of prints the publisher can produce. Open Edition prints are not usually numbered, but may be signed by the artist. we do not carry open edition prints, open edition prints do not rise in value and in our opinion are not a good investment.
What is a limited edition?
A limited edition is a series of identical prints, which are limited to a one-time printing of a certain number of pieces. The artist determines the size of the edition, and usually signs and numbers each individual piece. limited edition prints have been known to explode in value once they reach the secondary market.
What is a canvas edition? A canvas edition is a print image that has been transferred and fixed to a canvas surface. The result is a piece of printed art that has the appearance of an original canvas painting without the high cost usually associated with original artwork.
There appears to be some writing or an image across the print - will that be on the print I order?
Many publishers use a watermark to identify their web images. These watermarks do not appear on the actual printed product.
What is Secondary Market?
When a publisher has sold all of the pieces in a numbered edition, then it becomes a secondary market piece which must be obtained from a private collector or from dealer inventory.