The term “Giclee” (zhee-klay) refers to the French word “giclée”; a feminine noun that means a spray or a spurt of liquid. When referring to artistic reproductions, the term “Giclee” describes fine art digital prints made on inkjet printers.

A “Giclee Reproduction” indicates a heightened printmaking technology. Images are generated from high-resolution digital scans and printed with archival quality ink onto various surfaces including canvas, fine art paper, and photo-base paper. The Giclee printing method provides a better colour accuracy than many other means of reproduction.

Giclee Reproductions are created using professional 8-Colour to 12-Colour ink-jet printers. These modern technology printers are capable of producing incredibly detailed prints for both the fine art and photographic markets.

Giclee reproductions are advantageous to artists who do not want to mass produce their work and want to reproduce their art as only as needed, or on-demand. Once an image is digitally archived, high-quality reproductions can then be made. Archived files will not deteriorate in quality as negatives and films inherently do. Another advantage to Giclee printing is that digital images can be reproduced to almost any size and onto various media, giving the artist the ability to customize prints. Additionally, printmakers now have the luxury of adding the look and feel of authentic brushstrokes to their Giclee Reproductions.

WHY DO WE CHOOSE “GICLEE” REPRODUCTIONS FOR OUR ARTWORK?

The quality of Giclee canvas reproductions rival and exceed that of traditional silver-halide and gelatin printing processes and is commonly found in museums, art galleries, and photographic galleries throughout the world. If kept out of direct sunlight and excessive humidity, a Giclee Reproduction can last for well over a hundred years.

These images are so impressive that it is not uncommon for a collection of Giclee Art Reproductions to be sold in high-end galleries throughout the world. Numerous examples of Giclee Reproductions can be found at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in NYC, the Chelsea Galleries and even the Museum of Modern Art. At auctions, Giclee Reproductions of famous artists have sold in the tens of thousands of dollars.

The Valley Zoo Development Society believes in providing our supporters with high-quality reproductions of our zoo artist’s masterpieces.