Giclee: Allpconline Company Blog
Sunday, August 21, 2005
Giclee and inks
We heard once more that some labs (mostly photolabs) are using photo dyes to produce inkjet prints. A client of ours recently had us print some photographs on a satin resin coated paper and noticed that the prints we produced were not as saturated as the ones she got from the local lab. The local lab uses the same equipment as we do. The main difference is that we use pigmented inks to produce giclee versus dyes. Let me explain further: photo dyes have a wider gamut than pigments. On the other hand dyes will fade in a matter of months. This is an unacceptable method for giclee. A true giclee HAS to be made with archival (pigmented) inks. Photo labs in particular produce prints with dyes for a reason. Their target customers are for the most part photographers who are proofing to show their work to clients. These prints are not designed to be permanently displayed like a giclee.
The inherent characteristics of how pigmented inks are made (by the way of incapsulating the pigments) makes them less brilliant than a pure dye. Some manufacturers have created hybrid inks that incorporate both dyes and pigments and therefore maximizing results. Another way to increase gamut is to have more ink colors in the printers. As technology advances the pigments are becoming more brilliant.
A giclee made with a photo dye and sold as a giclee is a faulty product. Ask your printer what type of inks are being used. It is your right to know!
The inherent characteristics of how pigmented inks are made (by the way of incapsulating the pigments) makes them less brilliant than a pure dye. Some manufacturers have created hybrid inks that incorporate both dyes and pigments and therefore maximizing results. Another way to increase gamut is to have more ink colors in the printers. As technology advances the pigments are becoming more brilliant.
A giclee made with a photo dye and sold as a giclee is a faulty product. Ask your printer what type of inks are being used. It is your right to know!
Friday, August 19, 2005
Giclee certificate of authenticity
We are in the process of releasing a new giclee certificate of authenticity system. Each print in a limited edition will be accompanied by a security grade certificate with a hologram. In addition, we will register the giclee by serial number on our site. Artists and buyers will be able to search by serial number and pull information regarding each particular print.
The cost is projected to be $5 per certificate, which includes the online registration as well. Although not necessary or required, we believe this will be a great tool for artists and buyers alike.
We still will provide the old master certificates for a complete edition without the hologram , serial number and the online registration at no charge.
The cost is projected to be $5 per certificate, which includes the online registration as well. Although not necessary or required, we believe this will be a great tool for artists and buyers alike.
We still will provide the old master certificates for a complete edition without the hologram , serial number and the online registration at no charge.
Monday, August 01, 2005
Giclee marketing part II
It is time to add some information to previous posts regarding the marketing and pricing of giclee reproductions. Things are changing fast in the field and competition from cheap, chain produced oils and acrylics from China is worrying some artists about low cost alternatives for customers.
First of all, is it just me or after you have see the hundreds of different chinese repros they all start to look the same? It does not matter if it is a french landscape vs an italian coast line, the colors and somehow inaccurate perspective make all this "art" look what it is: mass produced.
Giclee is not mass production. It is meant as a very accurate reproduction of artwork on expensive fine art materials. It is crafted with skill and it should show...
We had a client who came back from Hawaii and was surprised to see galleries filled with limited edition giclee art selling for thousands. His first comment was: "How can they offer a giclee for that much money?". My answer was: "Because they can!". It is all about marketing. Make your art from your heart and skill. Whatever passion and pride you put in front of the canvas, it should also reflect in how you market it.
No one who buys a cheap knockoff from China is in the market for limited edition giclees. And the way the art is presented, the number of shows, the advertising...all these are factors that can make or break a successful launch. "It takes money to make money" is somewhat a true statement. You will need to invest time and resources to make it work. I know of an artist community with about 20 members. No one is selling anything because 100% of their time is dedicated to creating art. When I went there, the attitude I saw was "I am here and buyers will come..". Hasn't history taught them anything? Even Leonardo and Michelangelo had to heavily market their skills, pay many visits and do favors to get work.
Get out there, see gallery owners, call local newspapers and magazines. There are very few businesses out there that open and succeed with no marketing strategies.
First of all, is it just me or after you have see the hundreds of different chinese repros they all start to look the same? It does not matter if it is a french landscape vs an italian coast line, the colors and somehow inaccurate perspective make all this "art" look what it is: mass produced.
Giclee is not mass production. It is meant as a very accurate reproduction of artwork on expensive fine art materials. It is crafted with skill and it should show...
We had a client who came back from Hawaii and was surprised to see galleries filled with limited edition giclee art selling for thousands. His first comment was: "How can they offer a giclee for that much money?". My answer was: "Because they can!". It is all about marketing. Make your art from your heart and skill. Whatever passion and pride you put in front of the canvas, it should also reflect in how you market it.
No one who buys a cheap knockoff from China is in the market for limited edition giclees. And the way the art is presented, the number of shows, the advertising...all these are factors that can make or break a successful launch. "It takes money to make money" is somewhat a true statement. You will need to invest time and resources to make it work. I know of an artist community with about 20 members. No one is selling anything because 100% of their time is dedicated to creating art. When I went there, the attitude I saw was "I am here and buyers will come..". Hasn't history taught them anything? Even Leonardo and Michelangelo had to heavily market their skills, pay many visits and do favors to get work.
Get out there, see gallery owners, call local newspapers and magazines. There are very few businesses out there that open and succeed with no marketing strategies.
