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What does giclee mean?
Giclee (from the French gicleur, a nozzle) is a name for inkjet prints made as fine art. It began as one printmaker's word for prints on a modified Iris printer and has since spread to inkjet fine-art printing generally. Wikipedia notes it may also be applied generically to art prints of varying quality.
Diagram: inkjet drops from a nozzle. Schematic, not to scale.
What the sources say
| Point | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | Inkjet prints made as fine art, usually from digital files or artwork | WGIC |
| Name | From the French gicleur, a nozzle or jet | WGIC |
| Origin | Printmaker Jack Duganne used it for prints on a modified Iris printer | WGIC |
| Usage | A neologism that may also be applied generically to art prints of varying quality | WGIC |
| Typical materials | Pigment-based inks with archival paper or coated canvas; pigment inks resist fading when paired that way | WPFG |
| Handling | The surface can scratch or scuff before framing, especially matte papers | WPFG |
Questions to ask before you pay for the word
- Which ink type is used: pigment or dye?
- Which paper or canvas, and is it described as archival?
- What fade-resistance claim is made, and under what test conditions?
- Is the print handled before framing, given that matte surfaces scuff?
Because the term is sometimes applied generically to art prints of varying quality (Wikipedia), the word alone cannot tell you quality or permanence. Ask what stands behind it.
Sources
- Wikipedia: Giclee (fetched 2026-11-12)
- Web Picture Frames glossary: giclee (fetched 2026-11-12)
Figures from these pages are paraphrased and re-checked on 2026-11-12. Where two sources disagree, both figures are shown. Hardware and wall products vary, so follow the pack instructions.