The French word Giclee (zhee-klay), meaning “a spurt” or “a spray”, has become a popular term that is currently used to describe digital reproductions of artwork. Like the definitions of many other words, the definition of giclee has changed over the years through it popular use to describe similar, yet different, things.
It was originally used to describe a very specific form of art reproduction which utilized the IRIS 3047 drum printer. At this time the term giclée was synonymous with the high quality prints produced on the IRIS that were previously unobtainable by any other reproduction method. Due to the high image quality and ability to print on canvas afforded by the IRIS, many of the photographers and artist who were previously adverse to the reproduction of their artwork began to trust this method of reproduction to reproduce their artwork.
Of course it was not the printer alone that made this level of reproduction possible, but also the culmination of software, equipment, and skilled operators throughout the input, edit and output phases of reproduction that made such a high level of quality possible. The IRIS simply provided the missing link in the art reproduction equation that, when coupled with high quality supplies, could yield a giclee.
As the art-giclee reproduction market began to grow, new large format printers were introduced into the market along with new canvases, inks, and coatings. Unfortunately, all wide format printers and supplies are not created equal and possess differing levels of quality. In some cases the disparities in quality were quite obvious and soon prints were produced that did not adhere to the strict quality standards to which the giclee market was previously accustom.
Despite this disparity in quality, the term giclee was still used to describe these low quality products even though they did not exhibit the standards inherent in the giclees produced previously on the IRIS 3047. As a result the term giclee has been devalued and is now used by some to describe almost any reproduction of art on canvas, regardless of quality.
Some groups have responded to this devaluing of the term by creating certification marks to try and help reestablish the truer sense of the term giclee. One such group is the Giclee Printer Association, whom has developed their own certification mark. To help consumers recognize the quality standards adhered to in their reproductions of art and previously attributed to the term giclee, the Tru Giclee™ certification mark is used by GPA members to brand their products. Originally this type of branding for quality recognition was not necessary because the term "giclee" was a brand in and of itself that was used to describe the highest quality reproduction available.
Author: Justin A. Doe
Date Published: March 8, 2005
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