Today, i’ll talk about the prints i’m currently doing from the orifginals portraits. Following some questions from buyers and art collectors, i’ll explain the process, then you will be able to understand why a print is different than a copy from photocopier.
” Giclée print”.
Today, youc an find many many differents way to reproduce a piece of art, and many more than 30 years ago since apparition of computers. It started with leonard doing a masterpiece and his student copying it, then we started tu use machinery, then computers, fotocopiers, ets…
So a “giclée print” started when somebody invented the inkjet printer. Giclée is a french word for “squirt” and still in 21st century it’s class to use french words. So a computer and a inkjet printer is enough for giclée print ? maybe a little bit sophisticated …
Creating a Master.
Into get the picture i will reproduct, i’m using a high definition scanner. This is a very high definition scan (1200 DPI).
Once done, i have some cleaning on the file because : the paper is not smooth andstains appears on the scan with little gray marks here and there, if not cleaned the printed picture will get theses marks. I’m using a picture editor on my computer and spend the time it needs into get a perfect picture (1-2hours).
And at the final part, i’m doing something a little modification on the file with the erasing of the scanned signature. And once printed, i add a hand made signature on the print to make it more valuable and unique. This i not something done on usuals print but i prefer to do this, making it more unique.
The print.
As said, the “Giclée print ” is made using an inkjet printer. So i’m using one wich get a 1200 DPI accuracy (like the scan)into get the best result. The second factor is the ink quality : all the printers don’t come with the same quality and some brands propose special ink with higher life time. As the ink technologie got 20 years age, i can said that the ink used can last 20 years when seeing the result with print printed 20 years ago still OK !
Once the print checked i then use my indian ink to put the signature on the front, then turn the print and put some infos at the back like :
The title, the number of the print, the total number of prints
The date and the artist signature.
Storage
Prints are stored flat in a dry and dark environment. I put a plastic sheet around each prints to protect it from accidents like ink squirts, pain, dog tongue, etc…
Protecting your print
You recently receive your print by post and you want now make it shine to the high. the best thing i propose is to frame the picture. So if you want to do it by yourself, don’t forget to use a picture mat into avoid humidity condensing behind the glass and affect the paper. It often happens and make unwanted effects to the prints.
I recently put up in place a framing service for the originals picture i’m doing but it’s also availbable for the prints. I’m using on the shelves frames, and a custom hand made picture mat. the result is clean, ready to hang an the wall and lightweight. This is a service i propose if you want to make the perfect gift and wan’t to avoid the hassle of framing services