A Little History
In the late 1980s an ink jet printer was developed by Scitex (now CreoScitex) to provide a method of digitally proofing process-color (CMYK-cyan, magenta, yellow and black) printing jobs on the papers selected for use for that print job. Prior to this these jobs were proofed by making separation films (one for each of the four colors) and from these negative films a set of color positive films. These films were laminated together and onto the printing paper stock. This process, still in use, provided a close approximation of the hoped-for final results. Alternatively, printing plates would be made from the negative films. These plates were mounted to the printing press and a series of proof prints would be made, usually after much twiddling and tweaking of the press and the ink flows, etc. Often the film, plates and prints were in the 36" x 48" size range (to accommodate sixteen 8.5" x 11" pages)--these were very expensive and time-consuming processes. Changes were often required and were very costly to make.

The digital age arrived at the print shop and those that could afford it invested in the new Iris ink jet proofing printers made by Scitex. These printers were driven by powerful computers and featured a rotating drum onto which printing papers were attached with tape. As the drum rotated ink jet printheads sprayed ink onto the paper. The resultant full-color images were faithful reproductions of the pages scheduled to be printed and were referred to as "contract proofs." These proofs were signed off by the print buyers, perhaps after some adjustments, and the film and plates were then made and the printing presses began to roll.

Artists soon saw the potential in the Iris printers as a way of accurately reproducing their artworks at a greatly reduced cost. Any material that could be wrapped around the printer's drum could be used to receive the inks. Fine art printers using the Iris printers began offering their services to artists. The cost of these printers, around $60,000, meant that only a few places could offer Iris prints. These prints soon became known as giclée, (pronounced "zhee-clay"--French for sprayed, squirted or spurted) prints.

Now, a variety of printer makers manufacture printers, large and small, that will produce stunning prints on a variety of substrates, including canvases and watercolor papers. Artists can faithfully reproduce their artworks in large or small editions and on an "as required" basis. The reproductions can be same-size, larger or smaller than the original and have expected lifetimes of 100 years and more.

To produce a giclée print the artwork must be digitized. For work of the best quality a studio camera with a high resolution scanning back will be employed to capture the digital file. To accurately reproduce a 24" x 30" image the file size required will be between 129 to 185 megabytes--a very large file ( no hand-held digital camera can provide the rquired quality). Small artworks can be printed larger and large pieces can be printed at smaller sizes, often several at a time.

The giclée printer will produce a set of proof prints for the artist to approve. After approval, the digital file can be printed to the artist's specifications and then stored for future use, allowing the artist to get prints on demand as their sales warrant.