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Creative Heartworks
Tigard, OR 97223
503-598-9418
Hours By Appointment
Fine Art Giclée Publishing & Printmaking
As artists, former gallery owners, and as fine art Giclée printmakers, we understand the confusion and frustration many artists face when trying to comprehend the complete Giclée printing process. Based on questions we receive on a daily basis, many artists do not understand the process and more importantly, do not know if having prints made is worth the time and expense. Hopefully, this information will answer questions and create a better understanding about what Giclée prints are, what it takes to make a Giclée print, and whether or not to have Giclée prints made of original artwork.
We have included topics providing general information about Giclée printmaking and below each topic in italics is related information about Creative Heartworks' practices, policies and procedures. If you find this information helpful and would like to comment, or if you still have questions, please feel free to contact us at info@creativeheartworks.com.
Please click here to go directly to our Price List.
Just click on one of the topics or questions below to be taken to the info desired.
Open Edition or Limited Edition
Gallery-Wrapped Prints on Canvas
Hand Enhanced or Hand Embellished Prints
Miscellaneous Questions & Answers
How do I know if I should have Giclée Prints made or not?
What is the first step in having Giclée prints made of my art?
Can I photograph my artwork myself?
Will significant changes be made to my image prior to printing?
Does Creative Heartworks have a guarantee?
How do I protect and care for a Giclée Print?
What exactly will it cost for me to have a Giclée print made of my art?
Can I hand enhance my Giclée Print on canvas?
How do I price my Giclée Print?
Can I have my photographs printed on canvas?
Do you store images for later use and will my images be secure from use or distribution?
About Giclée
The French word "Giclée" (pronounced zhee-clay) translates in English to "spraying of ink". Giclée prints are high-resolution digital reproductions of original artwork using sophisticated printers that spray tiny droplets of ink onto photographic papers, fine art papers, canvas and other media. The Giclée printing process provides better color accuracy than other means of reproduction and the quality rivals traditional silver-halide and gelatin printing processes. If done properly, Giclée prints are often hard to distinguish from original artwork. Because high quality archival inks and paper are used in the process, Giclée prints have light fastness ratings of 100 to 200 years. Highly collectable, Giclée prints are an established medium in the fine arts community and are well accepted in museums and galleries around the world.
The Advantages
Giclée prints are advantageous to artists who want to reproduce their art but cannot afford to have it mass-produced. Once an image is digitally captured and archived, Giclée prints can be made as needed and at a reasonable cost. Another tremendous advantage of Giclée printing is that digital images can be reproduced to almost any size and onto various media, which gives the artist the ability to customize prints for a specific client.
The Giclée Printing Process
Digital Image Capture
A digital image of the original artwork is always required to create a Giclée print. Image capture is accomplished by having the original work of art scanned or professionally photographed. The better the digital capture of the original, the better the print.
Creative Heartworks performs digital image capture using both scanning and photography. For scanning, we use the Epson Expression 10000 XL, a high-resolution flatbed scanner that scans images up to 12x17 inches. Original art larger than 12x17 will require more than one scan with the total cost determined by the number of scans required for complete image capture. It is obviously more cost effective to photograph large works of art, and again, the number of photos required to produce a high-resolution print determines the total cost. (Please see our price list.)
Prepress - Setup - Proofing
Even the best digital image requires some fine-tuning and color correcting. Using the original artwork for comparison, the digital image is adjusted to match the original’s color and balance as closely as possible. This is done using an image-editing program and can be challenging since artists use a large variety of colors and often create new ones by mixing on the palette or canvas. Fine art print makers refer to this step as Prepress, Setup or Proofing and fees are varied and can range between $0 and $150 or more. An Artist Proof (often 8x10) is provided for approval before printing and this is often included in the setup or proofing fee; however, some printmakers do charge extra for Artist Proofs.
Creative Heartworks uses Adobe Photo Shop CS3 to crop, calibrate color balance and proof. This often takes two to three hours of work and sometimes 6 or more proofs to guarantee the artist’s approval. Creative Heartworks has a one-time setup or proofing fee per original work of art. This includes color correction and one reduced size (usually larger than 8x10) Artist Proof printed on enhanced matte paper. It also covers in-house archiving for future reproductions. (Please see our price list.)
NOTE: Creative Heartworks has NO setup or proofing fee for digital files professionally prepared and submitted by the artist. For best results, digital files should be submitted in one of the following formats: psd, tif, pdf, or jpg. Profile color space should be set to Adobe RGB 1998 at 240-360 dpi at final print size.
Photographs and digital files submitted by the artists can be uploaded to our site using your FTP Client. Just email us at info@creativeheartworks.com for directions. If you do not have an FTP Client, you can find free FTP client software easily on the web.
Giclée Printers
Giclée prints are created using professional 8-Color to 12-Color ink-jet printers. Some of the manufacturers of these printers are Epson, Canon, & Hewlett-Packard. These printers can produce incredibly detailed prints on canvas, fine art and photo paper.
Creative Heartworks uses the Epson Stylus Pro 9800 - the 44-inch professional wide-format printer with 8-color ink technology, which produces archival prints with amazing color fidelity, gloss-level, and scratch resistance, while providing consistently stable colors that significantly outperform lesser ink technologies.
Media Used For Printing
There are many and varied types of media used in printing and each printmaker will favor different fine art papers and canvases.
Creative Heartworks can print up to 44 inches wide on a variety of professional and wide-format photographic and fine art media and samples are provided upon request. The following media is in stock, but other media is available and can be ordered and used if preferred (same pricing applies).
Photographic Papers
Ultra Premium Presentation Paper Matte any size up to 44 inches wide.
Premium Photo Paper Glossy (Up to 13”x 19”).
Fine Art Papers
Somerset® Velvet - 255 gsm 100% cotton rag with a velvet surface.
Elegance™ Velvet Platinum Edition - 310g 100% cotton rag with a vellum surface (lightly textured).
Optica One - 300 gsm 100% cotton rag with a bright white, luxuriously smooth surface.
Allure™ Rag - 285 gsm 100% cotton rag with an utterly perfect semi-gloss, lightly textured finish.
Hahnemühle – German Etching - 310 gsm 100% TCF pulp with a velvety surface.
Canvas
Piezo Pro Matte Canvas - 375 gsm, 65% Polyester, 35% Cotton with a subtle texture for a true artistic look and feel.
Brilliance Chromata White Canvas - 450 gsm, 65% Polyester, 35% Cotton, bright white, textured matte canvas.
Cost of Prints
Printmakers have numerous methods for determining their prices for printing. Usually prices per media type are based on sheet size or per square foot or square inch of printed material.
Creative Heartworks Prices are based on square inch of printed material by media type making it easy to calculate the costs related to producing a print. (Please see our price list for prices and media used.)
Open Edition or Limited Edition
Having Open Edition or Limited Edition prints made is a decision made by the artist or the artist's agent or publisher. A limited edition print is one that is limited to a preset print quantity. The artist often signs the print and each individual print is numbered. The numbers on the print indicate the individual number in the edition over the total edition series. For example, a print numbered 5/100 would be the 5th print in a series of 100. The artist is often responsible for keeping track of this, but some printmakers do keep track of this for the artist. It is important for the artist to understand, that once the decision has been made to create limited edition or open edition prints, it cannot be changed.
Creative Heartworks does keep track of limited edition prints for the artist and provides a Certificate of Authenticity for all prints on paper or canvas. Each certificate provides the artist’s name, title of the print, year released, edition type (open or limited with the number in the series), ink type, media type and dimensions. However, the responsibility falls to the artist if a change in printmaker is made.
Finishing
Most printmakers add a protective coating that increases fade resistance and water fastness of Ink Jet generated or water-soluble images. There is often an additional charge for this coating.
Creative Heartworks sprays all fine art prints with Printguard™, a UV Water Resistant Lacquer. This clear polymer based lacquer greatly enhances UV light resistance and increases water resistance. NOTE: For Giclée Prints on canvas, a Liquitex Gloss or Matte Varnish is also applied if the artist wishes to hand enhance or embellish the print. (Please see our price list.)
Delivery of Prints
Printmakers prepare prints for pickup and/or delivery using various methods, but often Giclée prints on paper mediums are unmounted and are often rolled. When shipped, rolled prints are usually inserted into a cardboard tube with a protective sheet to help prevent surface damage. Canvas prints are usually unstretched and delivered and/or shipped in the same manner.
Creative Heartworks places prints on fine art paper and canvas in an acid-free bag with a cardboard insert for support. Prints to be shipped are rolled and inserted in a cardboard tube.
Gallery-Wrapped Prints on Canvas
A gallery-wrap canvas print is stretched over a wooden stretcher frame and attached in the back leaving no staples or nails on the sides and can be hung without framing. Printmakers can extend or add to the image for a continuous or mirrored effect or print a solid color to cover the sides of the stretched canvas. (There may be an extra fee for this service.) Also, many printmakers offer to stretch the canvas on stretcher bars for an additional fee.
For prints that are to be stretched on stretcher bars, we do add the extra one to one and one half inches to the canvas borders for wrapping purposes. There is no additional fee, but it does add to the square inch price. (Example: a 16x20 print on canvas would cost $38.40. If we add an inch around the borders, it would be 18x22 and would cost $47.52.) Creative Heartworks can also stretch the canvas on stretcher bars for an additional fee. (Please see our price list.)
Hand Enhanced or Hand Embellished Prints
A hand enhanced or hand embellished print is a print (usually on canvas) that has been retouched by the artist using brushstrokes of paint or clear acrylic gel to add texture and depth. By doing this, the artist creates a unique work of art, which adds value and marketability. In some cases, artists and/or printmakers employ others to perform the hand enhancement. Therefore, “hand enhanced or embellished” does not always mean “artist enhanced or embellished”. Since this fact is not always revealed or acknowledged, art dealers and customers should ask.
Creative Heartworks does not offer to enhance or embellish prints. We do apply a protective water-based veneer to protect the print so that it can be hand enhanced.
Miscellaneous Questions & Answers
Why do I need an appointment?
Creative Heartworks is a home-based business located in Tigard, Oregon. Appointments are required unless we are working with you online.
How do I know if I should have Giclée Prints made or not?
This is a question many artists face, and there is no right or wrong answer. If you aren’t sure, you should at least have your original art digitally captured (photographed or scanned) before it sells so that Giclée prints can be made when the time feels right. Below are some points to consider while trying to decide:
- If your art is selling, it makes sense to select some of your most popular pieces and have those made into Giclée prints.
- If people love your work but can't afford an original, a fine art Giclée print may provide an affordable solution.
- The prepress expense of having Giclée prints made is a onetime cost per original and that may be recovered after the sale of your first or second print.
What is the first step in having Giclée prints made of my art?
First of all, we will need either the original piece of artwork, or a quality digital file of it. We will be happy to set up a consultation with you to explain the process, show you samples of media used, discuss your needs and provide an estimated cost for the work.
Can I photograph my artwork myself?
Normally it is best to have your art professionally photographed. Remember - the final print can only be as good as the original source data.
Will significant changes be made to my image prior to printing?
Other than cropping and color correcting to match the original, no changes are made to the digital file except to correct minor dust spots unless requested by the artist.
Does Creative Heartworks have a guarantee?
Yes, Creative Heartworks is dedicated to complete customer satisfaction and we will work with the artist every step of the way. We have even had some artists with Photo Shop CS3 experience assist during color balance and image manipulation. If we can’t provide a print that you are completely satisfied with, there will be no charge.
How do I protect and care for a Giclée Print?
Giclée prints should be treated as any fine art on paper or canvas. Below are a few recommendations.
Prints on Paper
- Always handle prints with clean hands, and to avoid crimps, always use two hands to lift the print.
- Never store unprotected prints directly on top of each other. Separate them with acid-free tissue paper.
- Prints can be shrink-wrapped in acid-free film or placed in protective sleeves and stored safely until framing.
- Humidity is a major problem for art on paper, and therefore, a print on paper should never rest directly on glass. Never hang or store prints in damp basements.
- Even though a fine art print has been sprayed with a UV Water Resistant Lacquer, it should never be placed in direct sunlight. All light fades works of art on paper.
Prints on Canvas
- To avoid scratching, a canvas print should never be wiped with a cloth or sprayed with any kind of cleaner. Fluids should never be used to clean a canvas print. Dust should be blown off the surface. If necessary, a light feather duster should be used to remove dust build up.
- Avoid hanging prints in direct sunlight or any other intense light source. Occasionally rotate framed prints to cut down on the duration of light exposure. Like any work of fine art on paper, a canvas print may be damaged if exposed over time to direct sunlight or marked changes in humidity.
- Avoid hanging framed prints directly above working fireplaces or radiators.
What exactly will it cost for me to have a Giclée print made of my art?
Unless you submit your own digital file that has been professionally captured and color corrected elsewhere, your cost to have a Giclée print made will include the following fees:
- Fee for Digital Image Capture
- One Time Setup or Prepress Fee
- Cost of the print on media of choice
Additional services such as stretching your canvas on stretching bars will incur additional fees. If you submit your own digital file, the only fee you will incur is the cost of the print and fees for additional services if added. (Please see our price list.)
Can I hand enhance my Giclée Print on canvas?
Giclée prints can be hand enhanced only if a protective coating has been applied. Creative Heartworks applies one coating of a matte or gloss protective water-based veneer to its prints on canvas. It is best to use acrylic paint to add highlights or texture to your print. If the print has been coated with a gloss finish, you can mix the acrylic paint with a clear acrylic gel that will help match the gloss of the finish. Oil paint is not recommended for hand enhancing Giclée prints unless the print has had more than one coat of the protective veneer to ensure the surface has been completely covered and protected. Oil paint can cause physical deterioration of the print if it penetrates the coating. Once a print has been enhanced, there is no need to add another protective coating.
How do I price my Giclée Print?
Prices for Giclée prints vary from $20 for small prints by unknown artists to thousands of dollars for large prints on canvas by well-known artists. Many things are considered when pricing a print such as: the reputation of the artist, the size of the print, if the print is an open or limited edition, and if the print has been hand enhanced. Generally, we recommend that Giclée prints be priced at 3 to 5 times the cost of the print and/or 25-30% of the price of the original art. In truth, there is no easy answer, but we're happy to make suggestions, and even share our pricing guidelines.
Can I have my photographs printed on canvas?
Having photographs printed on canvas and stretched using a gallery wrap can be a very nice alternative to having photographs printed on paper that have to be matted and framed. The canvas can be a continuation of the image or a solid color. Fine Art Canvas and stretching prices apply. (Please see our price list.)
Do you store images for later use and will my images be secure from use or distribution?
Your images are stored on our hard drive with backup to a separate hard drive. Your images are only accessed by Creative Heartworks for purposes of creating your print. Copyrights belong to artist or photographer of origin and these images will never be used in any form without express written permission of the originator.
What are your payment terms?
Full payment is due at the time of delivery. Creative Heartworks accepts personal checks, cash, Visa and MasterCard.
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