What Is a Giclée Print? – The Complete Guide to Fine Art & Wall Art Printing

What Is a Giclée Print? - Guide to Museum-Quality Art Prints

Giclée printing (pronounced zhee-clay) is the gold standard for fine art printing, known for producing museum-quality reproductions with unmatched colour accuracy, detail, and longevity.

The term "giclée" comes from the French word meaning "to spray," describing the way pigment ink is applied to archival paper via high-resolution inkjet printers. Originally coined by printmaker Jack Duganne in the 1990s, the giclée process has since become a trusted method for artists, photographers, and collectors worldwide.

At Profile Australia, all of our wall art prints are created using the giclée method, printed in-house on 230 gsm archival-grade matte paper using the Epson SureColor P9560. This advanced printer uses a 12-colour UltraChrome PRO12 pigment ink system, delivering exceptional colour fidelity and clarity. Every piece is made to last a lifetime - and we guarantee it.

In this article, we’ll walk you through what giclée printing really means, how it compares to standard prints, and why it’s the preferred choice for creating lasting art. We'll also answer the most common questions people have about giclée prints, so you can feel confident when selecting premium art for your home.

What Is Giclée Printing? Definition, Origins, and Meaning

• Fine-Art Inkjet Printing: A giclée print is a high-resolution inkjet print designed to meet fine art reproduction standards. It must use pigment-based inks and be printed on archival-quality media.
• What the Word Means: The word "giclée" is derived from the French verb gicler, meaning "to spray," a reference to how inkjet printers deposit tiny droplets of ink onto paper.
• Who Coined It: The term was coined in the early 1990s by printmaker Jack Duganne, who wanted a term that separated high-end fine art prints from standard digital prints.
• Pronunciation Guide: "Giclée" is pronounced zhee-clay - a soft, elegant word that reflects the premium nature of the print itself.
• While All Giclée Prints Use Inkjet Technology: Not every inkjet print qualifies as a giclée. True giclée prints require pigment-based inks, archival-grade media, and ultra-high resolution.

At Profile Australia, we meet all these standards and more. Our Epson SureColor P9560 printer, with its 12-colour pigment system, ensures deeper colour range, smoother gradients, and gallery-grade fidelity for every art print.

Colour Accuracy and Fine Detail: What Sets Giclée Apart

• Wider Colour Gamut: Giclée printers use up to 12 pigment-based inks, including expanded tones like light cyan, light magenta, orange, green, and violet. This results in rich, nuanced colours and subtle gradients that standard 4-ink printers can’t replicate.
• Sharper Resolution: Giclée prints are produced at higher resolutions such as 1200 DPI, capturing fine brushstrokes, photographic detail, and tonal depth with striking clarity.
• Closer to the Original: With this exceptional fidelity, giclée prints often appear nearly identical to the original artwork or photograph. That’s why many artists and galleries rely on this process for limited-edition work.

Profile Australia only uses Epson’s UltraChrome PRO12 pigment ink system to ensure exceptional colour clarity and precision. Each wall art print is a true representation of the artist’s original vision, from bold abstracts to soft coastal scenes.

Archival Quality and Longevity: Made to Last a Lifetime

• Pigment vs Dye Inks: Unlike standard prints that use dye-based inks, giclée prints use pigment-based inks known for their superior resistance to fading. These inks are tested to retain their vibrancy for 80 to 100 years when displayed indoors.
• Acid-Free Archival Paper: Giclée printing requires a high-grade substrate. At Profile Australia, we print exclusively on 230 gsm matte fine art paper that is acid-free, lignin-free, and certified archival. This ensures the paper won't yellow or degrade over time.
• Trusted by Museums and Collectors: Because of these archival qualities, giclée prints are trusted by professional artists and galleries worldwide. They offer the permanence and stability necessary for limited edition and collectible artworks.

Every giclée print from Profile Australia is designed to last a lifetime - and backed by our lifetime guarantee. Our framing options also use conservation-grade materials to protect your artwork, so it remains just as vibrant decades from now as it is today.

Premium Materials and Print Technology: Behind the Scenes

• 12-Colour Pigment Ink System: At the heart of every Profile Australia giclée print is Epson’s UltraChrome PRO12 ink set. With twelve individual pigment inks, this system delivers unparalleled depth, saturation, and tonal range - capturing everything from intense blacks to subtle pastel transitions.
• High-Performance Printing Equipment: The SureColor P9560 is trusted by galleries, museums, and professional photographers around the world for its reliability and exceptional print consistency.
• Heavyweight Fine Art Paper: All of our giclée prints are produced on 230 gsm archival-grade matte paper. Its smooth, slightly textured surface offers a soft, glare-free finish that enhances colour depth while preserving a natural, paper-like feel.

The combination of cutting-edge printer technology and archival materials ensures that every Profile Australia wall art print meets the highest standards of visual quality and longevity. It’s the same professional process used by leading galleries and museums - now available in every print we ship.

Giclée vs Standard Photo Prints: What’s the Difference?

• Ink Type: Standard photo prints often use dye-based inks that offer bright colours but are prone to fading over time. Giclée prints use pigment-based inks that bond with the paper for deeper colour and significantly better longevity.
• Paper Quality: Traditional photo prints are usually made on glossy or semi-gloss paper. Giclée prints, like those from Profile Australia, are printed on acid-free, matte fine art paper with a luxurious texture and professional finish.
• Resolution & Detail: Giclée prints are made at much higher resolutions, allowing them to capture the finest details and tonal transitions. Standard prints are typically limited to 300 DPI.
• Longevity: Giclée prints can last for decades without fading, especially when framed properly. Standard prints tend to degrade more quickly when exposed to light, moisture, or air.
• Overall Value: While giclée prints are more expensive to produce, they offer far greater visual quality, durability, and prestige. They are a smart investment for anyone who values beautiful, lasting wall art.

If you’re looking for more than just a poster, a giclée print offers gallery-level results. At Profile Australia, every print is crafted with care and guaranteed to meet the highest archival standards - because true quality is meant to endure.

Why Giclée Is Ideal for Wall Art

• Gallery-Quality Look and Feel: Giclée prints bring a refined, high-end finish to any space. With their rich colour depth and soft matte texture, they offer a visual impact that feels elevated and thoughtfully curated.
• Fade-Resistant for Everyday Display: Whether you're decorating a bright living room or hallway, giclée prints are built to retain their colour for decades. The pigment inks and archival paper stand up to light and air better than traditional posters or mass-market prints.
• Emotionally Resonant Decor: Capturing every nuance of the original artwork, giclée prints bring atmosphere and mood into the room. Whether it's a coastal scene or abstract composition, the artwork feels more immersive and expressive.
• Ready for Framing or Hanging: At Profile Australia, giclée prints are available unframed (rolled) or custom-framed using solid timber in your choice of finish. Each framed print arrives professionally finished and ready to hang.

For those who value craftsmanship and want their home to reflect timeless style, giclée wall art offers the perfect blend of beauty and permanence. It’s why Profile Australia proudly makes every print using this professional process - so your walls tell a richer, more enduring story.

Frequently Asked Questions About Giclée Prints

How do you pronounce "giclée"? Giclée is pronounced zhee-clay. It comes from the French word gicler, which means "to spray."

Do giclée prints fade over time? No - giclée prints use pigment-based inks that are significantly more fade-resistant than dye-based alternatives. When kept out of direct sunlight and framed properly, they can retain their vibrancy for 80-100+ years.

Are giclée prints better than photo prints? Yes. Giclée prints are considered superior for art and decor thanks to their archival materials, richer colour reproduction, and longer lifespan.

What makes a print qualify as giclée? To be considered a true giclée, a print must meet specific standards: high-resolution digital printing, pigment-based inks, and acid-free archival-quality paper or canvas.

Does Profile Australia use giclée printing for all its wall art? Yes. Every wall art print from Profile Australia is a genuine giclée - printed in-house using a 12-colour pigment ink system on 230 gsm archival matte paper. It's our commitment to lasting quality.

What is the best way to flatten a rolled-up giclée wall art print? We've written a helpful guide on how to safely flatten an art print that has been rolled - How to Flatten a Rolled Print or Poster for Framing. 

Why Choose Giclée Prints for Your Home or Gallery

Giclée printing brings together the best of modern technology and timeless craftsmanship to deliver art prints of extraordinary quality. From rich, true-to-life colours to long-lasting materials that resist fading, it offers a professional standard that elevates everyday wall decor into something truly special.

At Profile Australia, we are proud to offer genuine giclée wall art prints across our full collection - whether you're searching for coastal wall art, abstract prints, or inspiration for your living room decor.

Explore our full Decorator Wall Art Prints collection to discover Australian-made, gallery-quality prints that are designed to last a lifetime - and guaranteed to leave a lasting impression.