Frequently Asked Questions

What is a giclee print?

A Giclee (pronounced ge-KLAY) print is a fine art print made with a high-end inkjet printer. In the giclee printing process the artwork is captured, proofed and printed digitally. These prints are reproduced using incredibly precise printers and archival inks. Giclee prints are quickly being recognized by the world's leading galleries and museums as the finest reproductions available to date.

The word giclee was coined by Jack Duganne in the early years of the digital printmaking business. Giclee was derived from the French word "gicler" which means to spray or squirt a liquid. The term was developed so that artists, galleries, and dealers would not have to market their prints under the generic label of "inkjet" prints. The term giclee is meant to be applied only to archival digital prints made with fine art paper or canvas.

To learn more about the giclee printing process, please visit our Digital Print Education page.

Who retains the rights to my artwork and prints?

You do. Old Town Editions does not claim any rights to your artwork or the prints made from that artwork. Some printers believe that because they have altered or enhanced the digital file used to make the print that they have a legal claim to these prints. We here at Old Town Editions would never make such claims. We only create prints with the verbal or written consent of the artist or the artist's estate. We take all copyright laws very seriously.

Also be aware that when you sell an original work of art, you retain all printing rights. Unless you specifically state otherwise when making a sale, you keep all rights to any use of that image for reproduction purposes. The buyer cannot make prints without your consent. This also means that you do not need the buyer's consent to sell reproductions of this image. We do, however, encourage you to notify the buyer if you plan to do this.

How do I care for my giclee prints?

Caring for paper prints

The paper prints should be treated like any other fine art prints such as etchings or serigraphs. Handle paper prints as gently as possible. When doing so, be sure that your hands are freshly washed to minimize transfer of oils from your skin. Because paper is damaged by prolonged contact with chemically unstable materials, the choice of materials for storage and exhibition is critical. Mats, folders, and storage boxes should be labeled acid-free or 100% cotton rag. Store matted works or foldered items in flat files or in appropriately sized boxes specifically designed for storing works of art or documents. Oversized objects should be stored flat whenever possible, not rolled or folded. Store unframed prints in a cool and dry environment. Warm or moist conditions accelerate deterioration and encourage mold growth and insect activity. Works should also be protected from environmental pollutants and airborne particulates

Matting and framing your paper prints with archival materials and techniques provides the best protection for your art on paper. We recommend acid-free or rag mats combined with a UV protectant glass. If you notice and yellowing or other discoloration on older framed works, this probably indicates that the materials used are not acid free.

For more detailed information on caring for and framing your giclee prints, please visit the American Institute for Conservation of Historic and Artistic Works at www.conservation-us.org.

Should I apply a varnish to my canvas print?

Although it is not necessary to varnish the canvas prints, there are benefits to doing so. Because canvas prints are usually stretched and not framed behind glass, they are more in need of a protective coating. The coating can protect the print from minor scratches, oils from the skin, and environmental pollutants. Applying a coating to the canvas prints also has the added benefit of making the print look a little bit richer in color. Coating canvas prints is highly recommended if you intend to embellish the prints. We can provide this service for you or recommend a brand of varnish if you wish to do it yourself.

Longevity- How long will my prints last?

At Old Town Editions, we are committed to providing you with the highest quality prints possible. When giclee printing was first introduced, the longevity of the inks left something to be desired. In the past decade there have been huge advancements in the permanence of the inks available. We have kept up with these advances every step of the way. We are constantly searching for ink sets that have the highest archival ratings and a wide color gamut. The pigment inks we currently use are not only lightfast, but they are also water-resistant as well. We combine these inks with papers that have similar archival qualities and a proven record of acceptance in the art market. We do not carry any "second-tier" products. Below is a chart of the archival ratings for our Canon ipf9000 printer with Lucia pigment inks on various papers. These results are from Wilhelm Imaging Research, the industry's leading independent testing source.

For more longevity reports and technical information, please visit the Wilhelm web site at www.wilhelm-research.com.

Wilhelm Imaging Research Light Resistance Testing Result (Ongoing*) forCanon ipf9000 with Lucia inks

*The Wilhelm Imaging Research Light Resistance Testing is ongoing. Canon Heavyweight Coated Paper has not reached its endpoint yet (as of March 2007).

Why does Old Town Editions use Canon printers?

With the growth in popularity of the giclee print, many well know companies have started to make large-format inkjet printers capable of fine art printing. We have tested all of the most popular printers and come to the conclusion that the Canon offers us the best print quality possible. The 12-color ink set of the Canon offers us a very wide color gamut. The Canon also allows us to get very rich colors and a deep, dark black. We have found that some other printers that use pigment ink produce somewhat washed out or chalky colors and weak blacks. With the Canon we can make a print that rivals or exceeds the quality that we have been getting on the Iris printers with dye inks. The Canon's color capabilities combined with fine detail and the ability to print 60" wide make it an outstanding printer for giclees.