When buying a limited edition print, it's always important to understand what you are buying and how to take care of it. Although much cheaper than purchasing an original painting or drawing, limited edition giclée prints can still be quite a pricey purchase - and for good reason!

WHAT IS A GICLÉE PRINT?

Giclée prints are high quality, museum-standard and archival fine art prints. The process of giclée printing involves squirting microscopic dots of pigment-based ink onto textured paper or canvas, creating a print that replicates the original piece of artwork in both colour and quality. You can read a comprehensive overview of what giclée prints are here.

WHY INVEST IN A GICLÉE PRINT?

Giclée prints hold their colour and value for much longer than regular prints. In fact, they are known to last approximately 200 years before they start to fade. They are museum-quality prints that are built to last.

Because of their quality, giclée prints are usually more expensive than regular digital prints. Once signed, labelled or numbered however, giclée prints can increase in value over time, as Artists gain more recognition. Because of their longevity, they are also a cheaper alternative to buying an original piece of artwork.

'Limited edition' means that only a certain number of prints are sold in each available size. If an Artist decides to sell 50 editions of a print, for example, then once the 50 prints have sold, they are no longer available to buy. This, in turn, increases the value of the prints.

CARING FOR YOUR PRINT

1. Never touch your giclée print with your bare hands.

Your skin has natural oils that can damage the surface of a giclée print. Because of the process of spraying ink onto the paper, giclée prints can also be smudged by an un-gloved hand.

2. Always frame a giclée print (preferably as soon as possible)

Once you receive your print, it is advised to take it straight to the framers (still rolled if possible). Framers are experts at handling prints and will make sure that your print remains intact whilst it is framed and mounted. It is always exciting to receive a new print, but by removing it from its packaging straight away, it could get bent or damaged.

3. Keep your print away from moisture

Once your print has been framed, try to keep it away from any moist areas. It is not advised to hang giclée prints in or near bathrooms or any areas that regularly get steamy. This can damage or wrinkle the print.

4. Try to protect your print from direct UV rays

Although giclée prints are designed to retain their colour and quality over time and are generally protected from UV rays, they can still occasionally fade over time if kept in an area that is directly lit by the sun.

To shop giclée prints, click here.

To view originals, click here or view more artwork here.