Giclée Prints: Original or Reproduction?

The first thing to remember is that Giclée is really a process that results in a print that is often called a Giclée print. There is much debate over whether a Giclée print is valued as a reproduction or as an new type of original. Here is where we stand on this topic.

Giclée Prints as Reproductions

The print that results from the Giclée process is considered a reproduction if there is a traditional fine art original that was faithfully copied to create the digital master file. As a reproduction, it is the finest available today. The colors are rich and seamless. The papers are luxurious and they can last for generations because of the tremendous advances in archival inks, papers, and practices.

Limited Editions: When the number of reproductions is limited to a small number (typically less than 200) that can be individually registered and verified, it can be called a limited edition reproduction. That designation can be extended to include the process used to create the print:

• Limited edition Giclée reproduction
• Limited edition lithographic reproduction
• Limited edition serigraph reproduction

That contrasts with mass edition reproductions such as a quality lithograph that easily runs into the tens of thousands and posters that can run into the hundreds of thousands. The owner of a limited edition Giclée reproduction knows that they have the highest quality reproduction possible, almost indistinguishable from the original and that a fixed number will be sold and no more.

Giclée Prints as Digital Originals

Many Giclée prints are produced from digital masters that are not copies of fine art originals. These include photographic film that has been scanned and original digital art that was created by an artist using digital tools. Neither of these creative works exists in a form that can be displayed until they are printed. Consider the many ways they are similar.

Photography: The creative product of a photographer is a piece of film that is the original. The only way the photographers fine work can be appreciated and consumed by others is to create prints. Because of the nature of film, it is possible to create many identical prints without degrading the film master. Sometimes there is only a single print and sometimes the photographer will produce a limited edition. We call them limited edition photographic prints.

Digital Art: The creative product of a digital artist is a digital master file that is the original. The only way the digital artists fine work can be appreciated and consumed by others is to create prints. Because of the nature of digital masters, it is possible to create many identical prints without degrading the digital master. Sometimes there is only a single print and sometimes the digital artist will produce a limited edition. We call them limited edition digital prints

Convergence: Photographers are quickly moving from their wet labs to digital labs. They now either scan their film to create digital masters or go straight to digital using digital cameras. Once they have a digital master, they are in the exact same place as digital artists. They have a digital master which must be printed to be enjoyed by others. They can produce a single print or a set of prints as a limited edition. I call them limited edition digital prints.

Galleries and Art Collectors

Many galleries and art collectors work exclusively with originals. As such, they will not be interested in a reproduction regardless of what process was used to created it, Giclée or otherwise. However, digital prints made from digital masters created by a digital artist or photographer should be treated as originals by galleries and art collectors. In this case, there is no original that could be displayed or collected instead. The print is the only way the artwork can be viewed and appreciated by the public.

This is by no means a view shared by everyone. In some cases this is happening but there is still an enormous amount of confusion about how to treat the work of digital artists. There is also the added confusion of a digital reproduction of a traditional fine art original versus a digital print of a work that was created with a camera or with digital tools like Photoshop. Our hope and belief is that this will sort itself out with time and that the work of digital artists will take their place along with photographs as an appreciated and valuable art form by galleries and collectors.

Artist Integrity

Artists are among the highest integrity people I know. Uncertainty can still lead to damaging mistakes though so it is critical that artists are very clear about the nature of their work. If it is a reproduction then make sure the potential buyer knows it. Selling a reproduction as a kind of original is misleading and damages the integrity and reputation of the artist. The world has a tremendous appetite for high quality reproductions so call it like it is and be proud of your work and the quality of the piece.

If you are a digital artist, be sure to explain how your work is created and the process used to create the prints. Make sure the digital master is the original and these are prints made from it. They are not reproductions or copies because there is no original they could be compared to or that could be collected. They are beautiful digital prints and you are part of the vanguard in an exciting new field of art.