If you shop for art or photo prints, you will run into the word “giclée” sooner or later, often next to a higher price. This guide explains what a giclée print is, how it differs from other art prints, and how it compares with the canvas prints and posters we make at CanvasDiscount, so you can decide which one you actually need.
Giclée prints (pronounced "zhee-clay") are fine art reproductions made on a high-end inkjet printer. The term comes from the French word for “spray”, a reference to the way an inkjet printer sprays fine droplets of ink onto the surface.
The word is not a protected standard, but it usually describes three things together: pigment-based inks, a wide-format printer with many ink colors, and fine art paper or canvas that is acid-free (often marketed as “archival”). Galleries and artists use giclée printing to make limited-edition reproductions of paintings and fine art photographs.
Put simply, an art print is any printed reproduction of an artwork, including lithographs, screen prints and ordinary digital prints, while a giclée print is one specific kind of art print, defined by the inks, printer and materials used.
Here's how they differ:
Giclée prints are made from high-resolution image files on printers with extra ink colors, which helps with smooth gradients and fine detail. Other art prints vary widely: a good digital print can be very sharp, while cheap prints often lack definition.
Pigment inks on acid-free paper are chosen because they resist fading well when kept out of direct sunlight. How long any print lasts depends heavily on light, humidity and the materials used, so be wary of any seller who promises a specific number of years without saying how it was tested.
Giclée prints usually cost more, because the papers, inks and printers are expensive, and because they are often sold as limited editions. Regular art prints range from very cheap to quite expensive depending on the method.
A giclée print on canvas uses canvas fabric instead of paper. Canvas has a subtle texture that recalls an original painting, and it is usually pre-coated so the ink sits well on the surface. Like other canvas prints, it can be hung as a stretched canvas on its own or placed in a frame.
No, and we don’t describe it as one. Our canvas prints use a different process:
What this means in practice: a CanvasDiscount canvas is made for photos and art you want on your walls at home. If you are an artist selling limited editions and your buyers expect the giclée label, look for a specialist fine art printer. If you want a family photo, a travel shot or your own artwork on canvas, a latex canvas print is the practical choice. Our guide What Is a Canvas Print? All You Need to Know explains how our canvas prints are made.
| Giclée on canvas | CanvasDiscount canvas print | CanvasDiscount poster | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ink | Pigment inkjet ink | Solvent-free HP Latex ink | Digital print |
| Material | Usually cotton or cotton-blend canvas | 100% polyester canvas with matte coating | Paper |
| Ready to hang | Depends on the seller | Yes, stretched over a frame | Needs a frame or poster hanger |
| Typical use | Limited-edition fine art reproductions | Photos and art for the home | Budget wall art, frequent swaps |
To care for any print, keep it out of strong direct sunlight and away from damp walls. For canvas, see our guide on how to clean canvas pictures.
A giclée print is a fine art reproduction made with pigment inks on acid-free paper or canvas, and it is mostly bought by collectors and artists selling editions. For most photos and wall art at home, you don’t need the giclée label. Take a look at our canvas prints, custom posters and wider wall decor range, from framed prints to acrylic panels.
We’re committed to providing the ultimate customer experience – and we know that means offering the best prices in the market. If you happen to find a lower price online, we’ll beat it by 10%! The product should be the same size and the price valid on the day you send it to us. Canvas prints should come already stretched onto the frame.
Simply email us with a link to the competing product. We’ll review the information and if everything checks out we'll send you a 10% discount voucher code.
