August 06, 2025

Giclée Prints 101: Turning a Good Print Into a Great One

A giclée print is a high-quality reproduction using pigment-based inks and archival paper. It’s known for its sharp detail, rich colour, and long-lasting finish.

Unlike standard photo prints, giclée printing uses fade-resistant inks and heavyweight papers to produce a result that closely resembles an original artwork or high-resolution photograph. The term “giclée” (pronounced zhee-clay) comes from the French word meaning “to spray,” and refers to how the ink is applied during printing.

Giclée prints are often used for fine art reproductions, professional photography, and premium personal prints where quality and longevity matter.

What Is A Giclée Print?

Giclée prints use high-resolution inkjet printers to spray pigment-based inks onto archival paper. The result is a print that’s sharp, vibrant, and built to last.

For a print to be considered a true giclée, three things matter:

Pigment-based inks – These are more stable than standard dye inks. They’re resistant to fading and help your print keep its colour for decades.
Archival paper – This is acid-free, heavyweight paper made to protect the print over time. Most giclée prints use cotton rag or textured fine art paper.
High-resolution files – To get the detail right, the image needs to be at least 300 DPI (dots per inch), which is the standard for professional print quality. This ensures smooth tones, crisp lines, and no pixelation.

This method isn’t just about quality, it’s about preserving the way your image looks and feels. Whether you’re printing a photo, artwork, or digital design, giclée print gives it a finish that feels gallery-ready.

How Giclée Printing Compares to Standard Photo Prints

If you’re deciding between a giclée print and a standard photo print, the difference comes down to one thing: what you want the print to do.

While standard photo prints are fine for everyday use, they’re not built to stay vibrant long-term like Giclée prints do.

Here’s a simple breakdown:

Feature	Giclée Print	Standard Photo Print
Ink type	Pigment-based (fade-resistant, colour stable)	Dye-based (fades faster, especially in sunlight)
Paper type	Archival-grade (cotton rag, acid-free, gallery standard)	Glossy or satin photo paper (less durable)
Lifespan	80–100+ years with proper care	5–15 years, depending on storage
Print quality	High resolution with sharp detail and smooth tonal range	Lower depth and colour accuracy
Best suited for	Art, photography, gifts, keepsakes, home decor	Scrapbooks, casual printing, short-term display

If you're printing something important like a gift, an artwork, or a photo you want to frame and keep, we will always recommend giclée printing. The colour stays true, the detail holds up, and the materials are made to last so you can enjoy your print for years to come.

When to Choose a Giclée Print

Giclée printing is ideal when you want a print to look its best and last for years. It's the right choice for:

Framed photos or artwork for your home
Gifts that should feel personal and premium
Prints with rich colour, fine detail, or soft tones
Images you plan to display in well-lit spaces
Moments worth keeping, like weddings, family portraits, and milestone memories

If you're printing something casual or short-term, like a travel snap, scrapbook photo, or a quick print for the fridge, standard printing does the job.

But when a print holds meaning, or you want it to look as good years from now as it does today, a giclée print is worth it.

Order Giclée Prints That Last With Print Frame Send

If that sounds like the kind of quality you’re after, here’s how easy it is to get started.

At Print Frame Send, every print is made using professional materials and equipment trusted by photographers and artists worldwide:

· We print on 310gsm smooth cotton rag stock, a premium, archival-quality paper with a clean matte finish

· Produced on our Epson 20070 printer using genuine Ultrachrome pigment inks for long-lasting colour

· Expertly roll-laminated onto acid-free 5mm foamboard to keep your print flat, strong, and display-ready

From upload to delivery, here’s how it works:

· Choose your photo: Start with a high-resolution image. For the best results, upload the original file (not a screenshot or compressed version).

· Upload it through our site: Our uploader is quick and easy to use, whether you’re on desktop or mobile.

· Pick your size and frame: Choose from a range of print sizes and simple, modern frames. Each one is made to order by our experienced framing team.

· We print, frame, and send: Your photo is printed, mounted, framed by hand, and shipped straight to your door, ready to hang or gift.

Ready to turn your photo into something frame-worthy? Contact our friendly team today, and we’ll help make it happen.

Frequently Asked Questions About Giclée Print

Not exactly. Giclée printing uses inkjet technology, but not all inkjet prints qualify as giclée. To meet that standard, the print must use pigment-based inks, archival-grade paper, and a high-resolution image file, typically 300 DPI or higher. It’s a combination of materials and precision that sets giclée apart from basic photo prints.

Not at all. While giclée is popular among creatives for reproducing art and photography, it's just as suitable for personal photos, especially when you’re framing them, displaying them or giving them as gifts.

When properly framed or stored, giclée prints can last 80 to 100+ years without noticeable fading. This is due to the use of pigment-based inks and archival-grade paper, both designed for long-term preservation.

Yes, as long as the image is high resolution. Many newer phones produce large, high-quality image files suitable for giclée printing. Just make sure the photo hasn’t been compressed or filtered too heavily before uploading.

Giclée can cost slightly more than standard photo prints, but usually only by a small margin. The added cost comes from using longer-lasting inks and higher-quality papers. If you’re printing something to display, gift, or keep long-term, it’s typically worth the upgrade.

Updated: August 07, 2025