Like offset lithographs, Gicleé prints start with an original painting. Unlike offset lithographs where each dot is encircled by a white space, the ink is sprayed on to the paper as droplets. Each droplet bleeds into the paper creating more continuous tones and more vibrant colors. Since mine are printed on acid free watercolor paper, they have the textured look and feel of an original painting.
Most printmakers guarantee the inks for 100 years.
Yes, Gicleés are more expensive than offset lithos but consider this:
- Gicleés have a much longer lifetime,
- they look and feel more like an original painting,
- the colors are often more vibrant,
- they are produced on similar media as the original
- and they are issued in smaller editions so if you are a collector of limited edition reproductions, your Gicleé is a worthwhile collectible which makes you a smart investor.