Giclee printing has become increasingly popular among artists due to its numerous benefits. This fine-art printing technique allows artists to share their work with a broader audience, create additional income streams, and expand their artistic reach. Here are four benefits:
- Lower Cost of Production
One of the primary advantages of giclee printing is its lower production cost than original artwork. While the initial investment in printing equipment may be significant, the overall production costs are much lower, making it more accessible for artists and collectors.
- Additional Income Stream
Giclee printing enables artists to print and sell more of their work, providing an additional source of income. This is particularly beneficial for artists who spend considerable time and effort creating original pieces, as it allows them to generate revenue from multiple prints of the same artwork.
- Expands Your Audience
Giclee prints are more affordable than original artwork, making them accessible to a broader audience. This allows artists to reach collectors needing more money for high-end pieces, thus expanding their market reach. They are exhibited in well-known galleries, such as Saatchi Art.
- Exceptional Capabilities
Giclee printers offer exceptional capabilities, producing high-quality, long-lasting results on various surfaces, including paper, canvas, aluminium, and wood. Prints are available in different finishes, such as matte, gloss, and semi-gloss, providing artists with versatility in their creations.
Home Printing vs. Professional Printing
While home printing may seem cost-effective, professional printing services offer several advantages:
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Quality and Longevity
Professional printing services use high-quality, archival-grade materials and pigment inks, ensuring prints are colour-fast and long-lasting. This is particularly important for artists who want their work to maintain quality and vibrancy over time.
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Expertise and Experience
Professional printing services have the expertise and experience to ensure that prints are accurate and consistent. They can also guide the best materials and finishes for specific artwork, ensuring that the final product meets the artist’s expectations.
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Print on Demand
Many professional printing services offer print-on-demand services, allowing artists to order prints
as needed rather than investing in large stock quantities. This can save artists time, money, and storage space. An example of high-end services is Point101.
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Customization and Personalization
Professional printing services often provide customisation options, such as creating open or limited edition print, which can add value to an artist’s work and appeal to different collectors.
Conclusion
Giclee printing offers numerous benefits for artists, including lower production costs, additional income streams, and expanded audience reach. While home printing may seem appealing, professional printing services provide higher quality, longevity, and expertise, making them a more attractive option for artists looking to reproduce their work.
For more information on the history of giclee printing, see the Wikipedia article here.
