About the Artwork

With new technologies in art reproduction these days, there are many new options for both artists and art collectors. But with these options come numerous definitions in the printing industry, a wide range of quality in artwork, and a wide range of prices. By now, you may or may not have heard the terms ‘digital art’, ‘giclee reproduction’, ‘inkjet print’, and ‘laser print’. During my own course of research into the numerous printing methods in existence today, I’ve found these new definitions very confusing.

When I first started selling my work, I took my originals to the local photocopy center. I found that I could make inexpensive color copies of reasonable likeness and quality and sell them comparatively cheap, while sparing myself the worry of paying enormous sums of money for large bulks of prints that I might or might not ever sell. And with the ever-increasing quality of toner-based copiers, I still hear of artists going the photocopy route to reproduce their work today!

Definitions

Traditionally, artists have reproduced their work in editions of 250, 500 or 1000 copies per piece in a single print run. These reproductions, called lithographs, are a very economical choice for the average art buyer, but not very practical for the artist who’s just starting out and doesn’t know which pieces will or will not sell.

Today, with myriad digital technologies and the emergence of digital printing, artists have many more practical and economical choices than they used to. With a wide array of digital equipment from cameras to scanners to color-corrective software, digital files can be produced from original artwork and will not degrade over time like traditional printing blocks do. Additionally, prints can be produced in any quantity without affecting cost or quality, saving artists and art collectors a great deal of time and money!

From such technologies a new printing method has emerged, known as giclee reproduction. The term ‘giclee’ means ‘sprayed’. Giclee prints are produced from high-end inkjet printers that literally ‘spray ink’ onto the paper. Confusion comes in, however, when one sees both ‘inkjet’ and ‘giclee’ prints advertised in a dramatic range of prices.

What’s the difference between a ‘giclee’ print and an ‘inkjet’ print, and why such a difference in price?
The difference, I’ve concluded, is in the quality of the printer (dpi (resolution), ink quality, printhead technology) and paper (thickness, texture, longevity) themselves. Essentially, a giclee print is a sophisticated inkjet print, printed on a high-resolution printer with archival inks on archival (acid-free) paper. With a giclee print, you can expect much higher quality and longevity than a traditional inkjet print. The art buyer must consider this when purchasing an art reproduction, whether they’re seeking a piece that is economical in price but may noticeably fade or discolor within a decade or so, or a more expensive piece that will last several decades.

Ink & Paper
When purchasing a print for its longevity, it’s good to know something about the ink and paper (and combination thereof) that it’s created from. Be sure to look for a print that is run on 100% cotton, acid-free paper. This will ensure that the paper doesn’t noticeably fade or discolor for a reasonable length of time.

Today, my reproductions are created from a high-resolution (1440 - 2880 dpi) printer with an 8-color process and archival inks that are both dye- and pigment-based. The works are produced on 100% cotton, acid-free fine art paper. I have carefully selected a smooth fine art paper free of any brighteners than can noticeably fade after a few years. However, as with virtually all paper (even acid-free paper), some minor fading may occur over time, leaving a slightly duller (but more natural) tone in the paper. When you purchase one of my prints, you’ll receive a signed certificate of authenticity guaranteeing the quality and longevity of the work.

All of my prints are guaranteed to accurately reflect their corresponding original works of art in color, sharpness and detail.