Giclee Printmaking...Some Frequently Asked Questions.

What is a Giclee Printer?
There is no such thing. Giclee is a process, not a piece of equipment. Although the popular myth is that there exists a device called a "giclee printer", in reality wide-format inkjet printers are designed to fit a broad range of applications including the sign market, commercial printing, graphic arts, fine art, and even the production of thin-film solar panels. If you ever hear anyone refer you to someone who says they own a giclee printer, run for your life. Giclee printmaking is a complex craft in the tradition of lithography, serigraphy, and other time-honored printmaking techniques.

Why Heritage Giclees® instead of other printmaking methods?
The benefits are numerous and varied. Versatility in subject matter and the ability to experiment. Since the initial investment in a Giclee edition is minimal, the artist can take more risks to find out what is acceptable to the market and will sell. This flexibility allows the artist more creative freedom and help prevent costly mistakes. Additionally it is becoming more and more widely acknowledged that Giclee prints offer richness, detail and depth that set them apart from traditional offset lithography.

What about copyright considerations?                                                                                               We keep your images strictly confidential. Parsons Fine Art does not allow any images to be printed without the artist’s explicit authorization. We will keep an archived copy of your image exclusively for the production of your edition. All digital files of an artist’s images can be destroyed at his/her written request.

What is the expected life of a Heritage Giclee® print?                                                                   The most important fact to remember is that all color fades. As far as Giclee prints are concerned, some original watercolors & most lithographs will fade faster than a well-made Giclee. Unlike lithographs and serigraphs, Giclees have undergone extensive, third-party fade-testing. While the predicted display life depends on many variables, under typical home or office lighting , and depending on the papers used, giclees made with wide-gamut pigmented inks are estimated to last over 130 years without noticeable fade. All of our testing information comes from independent testing labs and the manufacturers of the materials we use.  Parsons Fine Art shall not be responsible for any damage to our prints from improper handling or from exposure to extreme environmental conditions.

Do Heritage Giclees® require special care?                                                                                        We recommend that you treat your Giclee prints the same as any original watercolor. It should be protected from water and should not be placed in direct sunlight. Giclees printed on paper should be frame mounted behind glass or, if on Arches paper, may be mounted on a panel and varnished. Giclees printed on canvas are treated with an acrylic varnish to aid in their protection, however careful treatment is still desirable.

What happens during the proofing process?                                                                                   The initial proof will be on an 8” x 10” sheet regardless of the final size you have ordered. This will be on the paper choice you have made. Once a color accurate proof is achieved, whether internal or approved by client (dependent upon printing package chosen), then the order will begin being processed.

What about the different types of coatings?
It is absolutely essential that canvas giclee prints have some form of protective coating applied to them. A proper coating not only protects the print from abrasions, dirt and harmful U/V rays, but it will enhance the colors and depth of the piece as well. Be aware that many of the newer giclee printing companies do not apply a finish coat to their prints at all, claiming that it is not necessary with their prints. This is absolutely false, and the truth is that most of them can't afford the substantial investment in equipment necessary to topcoat their prints. Our Heritage Giclees on canvas are treated with a specially formulated fine art coating which we co-developed with ClearStar Coatings Corp. This fine art product eliminates the problems typically associated with other coatings such as cracking, yellowing & inconsistent texture. Heritage Giclees on canvas are available with a satin finish.

How accurate is the color?                                                                                                                    The resolution and color can be brilliant and is superior to other methods of art reproduction. However, you must be aware that due to the limitations of process inks, some colors fall outside of the printable color spectrum. During the proofing process we work closely with you to achieve the look and feel in the print that is most appealing and closest to the original as possible.

I wish to order reprints, what steps are involved?                                                                            It's as easy as this. Contact us by e-mail, standard mail or telephone. Since we will have your image on file no further set up fee will be required. Our e-mail address is info@parsonsfineartservices.com

What materials do I need to send to get started?                                                                            You need to send us one of the following.......Your Original Artwork, a  CD or ZIP (PC or MAC) disc containing a professional scan of your image.  If sending a digital file, a reference print or photo to accompany it is recommended.   

On subsequent orders your image is stored via digital file and is ready for printing.

What are terms of payment?                                                                                                                  We request payment in full with your order. You can send a check or money order with your transparency or use your Visa, MasterCard and American Express

What distinguishes a Heritage Giclee® from other printmaking methods?

1. Heritage Giclees conform to archival standards consistent with collectible fine art.

2. Heritage Giclees are produced exclusively using “pigment” based archival inks. No dyes.

3. All additional materials & substrates used in the Heritage Giclee process are of archival quality and produced by reputable manufacturers.

4. The Heritage Giclee logo represents the highest standards of connoisseurship, ongoing research and ethical practice in the digital printmaking profession. In fact, "Heritage Giclee®” is the only giclee process that has been granted official trademark registration by the U.S Patent & Trademark Office.

5. Heritage Giclees are produced one-at-a-time, combining state of the art technology with traditional craftsmanship.

6. Heritage Giclees are produced using a proprietary color management system developed by Parsons Fine Art.

7. In order to continually advance the Heritage Giclee process, Parsons Fine Art maintains an ongoing working relationship with suppliers and manufacturers of archival art materials, software & equipment manufacturers. Over the years we have served as a “beta test” site for the development of many new products.

8. Heritage Giclees are recognized around the world for their peerless quality and beauty. In business since 1996, Parsons Fine Art (formerly Staples Fine Art) enjoys a reputation for the integrity & honesty in the industry & now serves artists, galleries, publishers & corporations in every U.S state and in 15 countries. Heritage Giclee® is a registered trademark of Parsons Fine Art.