Finding a Quality Giclee Printer
“How do I find a Quality Giclee Printer?”
It’s super easy to buy a printer, advertise online and set yourself up in the business of printing. Scanning can be priced out at anywhere from $15 to $600 per scan and printing is sold by the square inch (including the white border space).
So how do you know where to go, who to trust?
Quality scanning costs more and quality color correction is an art - an art that is often billed at $100-200 per hour. Why? Like I said, it’s an art.
Color correction isn’t just a matter of making a few adjustments. It’s having developed not only the technical skills for the program, but a sharp eye for color in a setting (and this is important)…. in a setting with correct lighting (and this means not florescent lighting). Who views fine art prints under florescent lighting anyway?
An inexpensive printer may not have the best equipment and skills for the job.
You will need to research the best types of professional print equipment, the highest quality archival paper, canvas, and archival inks - then query your potential printer - ask to tour their facility. Get familiar with the process and ask to view samples of their work (you’ll want to be able to compare an original to a giclee, not just see the giclees).
IF they won’t answer you (or can’t), then move on.
(next post: How Much Does a Giclee Cost to Create)
Some of these artists that you know must have worked with Giclee printers in and around Las Vegas, so could you recommend a few. This is the hardest thing to do is fine a printer you can trust. I have sold allot of originals and am getting tired of doing so.
so your help in this matter would be greatly appreciated. thank you, Mary
Hi Mary - great request!
A few of ways to find out the quality of a giclee printer:
1 - Call their facility and ask for a tour. While there, ask questions and ALSO ask if you can see a comparison from a current project. Have them show you an original next to their giclee (not just show you giclees). The more comparisons you can view, the better.
2 - Ask them if they would be willing to either allow you to contact current customers (or have current customers contact you) and then ask these customers about their experiences with the printer. Make sure to ask them for other recommendations.
3 - Finally, visit the websites of local artists and see if they offer giclees. If they do, find out who the printer is (sometimes it’s posted on their site). Contact the artist and ask them about the printer and thank them for their time in responding. Once you have a recommendation - go back and do steps 1 & 2.
I welcome comments from other artists who can give recommendations. Please make sure the information that you leave is accurate and working. Thanks!
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PS - Perhaps I’ll start an area for readers to post helpful information. Please comment if you’d like to see this.
Done!
I’ve finally found an EXCELLENT giclee printer - and they do more than do imaging and printing. This company has a whole slew of products and services to enhance your art. They’re prices are more than reasonable - in fact, they’ll give you discounts if you have several images to scan. They see their clients and artists as friends who trust them and know them to be fair and honest.
If you are interesting in knowing more about this awesome find - drop me an email Wendy at Froshay dot com - I’ll be happy to share!
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