What is a Giclée Print and where to find the best Art Print in Manila

What is a Giclée Print and where to find the best Art Print in Manila

If you are here, you probably have an interest in Giclée Print on Canvas or Fine Art Print. You might have bought one during your trip to Europe, or maybe you are an artist who wants to perfectly reproduce his artwork. Whatever your reason is, we will explain what a giclee print is and where to find the best quality Fine Art print in Metro Manila. Let’s dig in! 

What is Giclée Print?

Let’s start with the basics: Giclée Printing  (Giclée is pronounced gee-clay with a soft G) is derived from the French word "gicler," which means "to spray" or "to squirt," and it refers to how ink is applied to the paper or canvas during the printing process.

Giclée printing is often used in the reproduction of artworks, photographs, and other fine art prints. You will see Giclée in all the best art places, from art galleries reproducing famous artwork to the museum's boutique selling high-quality souvenirs. When you love art, you can only love Giclée Prints.

Paul Gauguin Giclée Print Manila

What makes Giclée Print stand out compared to other forms of prints?

Giclée Printing is renowned for his vibrant tonal range and the handmade feel of its beautiful textured papers. When done authentically, the quality of a giclée print is far superior to all other forms of printing, making it the closest reproduction method possible for matching an original artwork. 

For example, when artists choose to reproduce their artwork, they often use the giclée printing technique. Because this will be the closest way to the original art in terms of color and texture.

Lebasque Giclée print metro manila

It’s all about ink and paper

Archival pigment printing (giclée) uses inks that have longevity rates calculated at over 100 years. This printing technique must utilize eight to twelve different ink colors which are color-profiled to match the archival paper to achieve a perfectly color-accurate reproduction of the original piece of art. 

Close up giclée print

Depending on what artwork you want to print, the Giclée Printing method goes with the best quality paper. At Musée Joli for example, we print each Musée Art piece on 300 GSM paper.

GSM is a measurement of paper thickness based on the weight, in grams, of a sheet of paper that is exactly one square meter in size. Higher GSM paper is generally thicker and less likely to tear or crease.

Our museum-grade Canva papers are made from 100% cotton pulp, which lasts for hundreds of years without fading, discoloration, or deterioration, as no chemicals are used in its production. Unlike wood-based or synthetic mass-produced alternatives, cotton fiber paper retains its quality over time.

Print on pure cotton canvas

The differences between Giclée Prints and standard prints

Let me show you the difference between a standard print and a giclée Print. On the right side, the texture looks similar to the original artwork. Mostly because of the accuracy of the print and the paper used. The quality difference between the two forms of printing is huge!

Giclée VS Standard Print

Giclee vs Print Source: jeeclay.com

Funny story, when we join bazaars with Musée Joli most of our visitors think that we are selling authentic paintings and not prints. They often come very close to the Print to realize that it’s a print and not a painting. So many times, I got "Did you paint that sir?" I wish I did...

Is buying a Giclée Print the same as buying a fake artwork?

It's a question that comes often, so let me share my thoughts: when you decide to buy a Giclée Print, the goal is not to have the same artwork and give the illusion of an authentic painting to visitors. People know that you don't own a Van Gogh in your living room (maybe they don't if you are a bilyonaryo).

Giclée prints are made to be appreciated at their true value: A nice Art Print inspired by fabulous original artwork. Because yes not everyone has the budget to buy an original Monet or Pissarro. And surprisingly most of our customers are art lovers owning original pieces from Filipino masters. 

Munch the man reading Giclée Print

Where to find Giclée Print in Manila? 

Within Metro Manila, only a few companies propose Giclée Art Print. One of the reasons is that Giclée Printing is hardly reproducible industrially. You cannot print hundreds of Giclée Prints a day. Fine Art Print when done correctly is almost artisanal. 

Based on our knowledge and feedback, the best Giclée printing studios are:

Genta Art Print

Based in Quezon City Genta Art Print is a recognized studio in Metro Manila. They work with numerous artists and provide a good level of service. They are managed by Johan Guasch and Jackie Lozano. 

RedlabPH

According to their website, redlab* is a highly specialized print studio; run and managed by exhibiting artists focused on Fine-Art photography and custom printing. Specialized in Fine Printing Redlab proposes a great service as well. They work with businesses, galleries, and artists. They are one of the best studios in Metro Manila. 

Musée Joli

At musée Joli, we launched our Giclée Print studio with the ambition to offer the best quality service while being accessible to every art lover in Metro Manila. Artists, Art galleries, Interior designers, or individuals, we assure the same quality to all our partners.

Today we specialize in art and digital art printing. Thanks to our core activity, we have a lot of experience in reproducing artwork. From classic art to modern art.  Our team of graphic designers has extensive experience in color profiling. We are a human-sized studio and we take it as a strength. It gives us the flexibility to join existing projects and the opportunity to propose affordable prices. 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/museejoli/

Website: https://www.museejoli.com/

 

How to contact us? 

Do you want to reproduce an artwork with our giclée printing service? Send us an email at nelson@museejoli.com. We will guide you through the process.

A bientôt 

Nelson

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