How we use the Giclée process to create stunning map prints
Giclee Printing
Giclées are fine art reproductions that can literally cause people to wonder, including the artist, whether they are looking at an original or the reproduction. The process is a result of the combination of advanced digital and computer technologies in addition to state of the art equipment. Never before has it been possible to produce reproductions that so closely rival the impact and appeal of an original work.
Fine art printing has become an Art in itself, and even more precise with the invention of the revolutionary giclee (zhee-clay) high resolution printing process. A giclee print is a wonderful rewarding visual masterpiece; in addition, it is technically amazing. For unsurpassed brilliance, exquisite color and razor sharp detail, giclees are now the Artists choice.
The word giclee itself is French, and means spurt or squirt, in this case meaning, "spray of ink". From hundreds of inkjets, over a million droplets of ink per second are sprayed on canvas or watercolor paper spinning on a drum. Once completed an image is comprised of almost 15 billion droplets of ink. The finished print has no noticeable dot pattern, just an endless array of richly saturated color, the closest duplication of an original artwork that is humanly, technically, or mechanically achievable.
This type of Art Reproduction is becoming the new standard in the Art Reproduction industry, and is widely recognized for its quality by major Galleries, Museums, Publishers, and Artists, all around the World. A giclee Canvas Art Reproduction simply must be seen to be fully appreciated. Words alone can not fully descibe how impressive it is, Fine Art Galleries across the Country are raving about giclee Art prints. Numerous examples of giclee prints can be found in New York City at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Museum of Modern Art, and the Chelsea Galleries. Recent Auctions of giclee prints have fetched $10,800 for Annie Leibovitz, $9,600 for Chuck Close, and $22,800 for Wolfgang Tillmans (1997-2007 Giclee Print Net, Inc)
Upon learning about giclee printing technology at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston in 2004, we immediately researched all the printers available that produced giclee prints and decided to purchase the same equipment used by the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston and were trained on the process. We wanted to provide our customers with the most incredible historical map reproductions available today via our website www.mapsofthepast.com. Offering the giclee prints is our way of doing just that!
The printer, the ink, and the media (paper) are three of the integral components necessary to create a giclee fine art reproduction. At www.mapsofthepast.com we use the finest quality equipment and materials available to bring you giclee map reproductions that are as fine or more incredible than the original maps that were created centuries ago.
The Printer ~
we use the most desirable photographic printer ever produced by Epson. The Epson Stylus Pro 9600, 44” Wide Format Printer, was designed specifically to create giclee reproductions. The 9600 has a revolutionary new print head that can produce an astonishing resolution of 2880 x 1440 dpi, although we print most of our map giclees at a true 1440 x 720 dpi.
The Ink ~
The Stylus Pro 9600 uses Epson UltraChrome pigment base Ink – a true milestone in pigmented ink technology. This pigment ink is designed specifically for 7 color printing, and the giclee process. The characteristic that makes Epson UltraChrome the ink of choice for giclee reproductions is that it is fade-resistant for up to 140 years.
The Media ~
Epson UltraSmooth fine art paper: This splendid, heavyweight, acid free, lignin and chlorine free, 100% cotton rag, archival media and has the look and feel of old world handmade paper. It is one of the few papers chosen especially for giclee reproductions. Epson Premier Art Canvas: This heavyweight, water resistant, 40% cotton & 60% poly, double weave canvas has a stunning glossy surface that will make your Giclee look simply breathtaking
