Giclée (pronounced zshee-clay) printing is a special method of high-quality art reproduction on archival paper using pigment based inks that closely resembles actual paint.
Regular art prints are usually printed on paper or card using a dye based ink. Dye based ink is thin and does not stick well to archival paper and it is not thick like giclée pigment so it will look less like a painting.
The pigment (the coloured powder) in giclée printing is suspended in water and is thicker than dye based inks. So when giclée prints are made, they will actually be raised on the paper rather than being flush, giving it a look of paint.

The paper I use is a premium Pinnacle Cotton Rag. It is a gentle and sturdy white, 310gsm, 100% cotton rag paper with a smooth velvet texture and luxurious characteristics. The surface has a special matte coating, designed for high quality fine art reproduction.

Pinnacle Cotton Rag has impeccable archival qualities. It contains 100% cotton rag fibres, which are longer, stronger and more durable than wood fibres in ordinary paper and meets the Fine Art Trade Guild light fastness requirements of ‘6 or more on the Blue Wool Scale’.

This paper is also a lot more environmentally friendly because no trees were cut down to make this paper, therefore avoiding the huge releases of carbon into the atmosphere as is normal in logging.

Other benefits include:

• Acid and lignin free, so will not yellow or fade.
• Fully archival 100% cotton
• Deep, rich blacks
• Superb high definition print results
• Guaranteed accurate colour with free colour profiles
• Low OBA Content (see next FAQ)

OBA is the Optical Brightening Agent.

These chemicals are added to regular wood-cellulose based papers and help give greater whiteness to the paper.

The visible light spectrum is from 380 nm (close to ultraviolet light) to 780 nm (close to infrared light). The OBA can absorb the electromagnetic radiation between 300 and 400 nm and re-emit the energy into the visible (blue) part of the spectrum, between 400 and 500 nm. This is called fluorescence.

The cellulose-based paper will absorb a part of the visible light and tend to get a yellow shade. As the blue is the complementary colour of the yellow, adding an OBA to the paper will therefore bring more whiteness to the paper. However, the OBA are unstable molecules and turn yellow over time, which will lead to paper discolouration.

This is common in ordinary wood-cellulose based papers. But due to the intrinsic bright nature of the cotton rag paper, very little OBA is used and therefore the paper will stay brighter and whiter for many years longer, typically up to 200 years.

When considering the colour management of printing, the higher the OBA content in the paper, the more difficult is the control over the print result. So the cotton rag paper also gives more authentic colours throughout the printing process.

It may be possible for you to change your mind about your purchase, as long as your item has not yet been printed. However, depending on what time of day you placed your order, prints are usually produced fairly quickly. Because your print is bespoke, if your item has already been printed it cannot be changed or refunded. Please email me at [email protected] as soon as possible, if you need to change anything.

Yes! Unless stated on the product page, my artwork is available in A2, A3, A4 and A5 print sizes. You can choose the size that is perfect for you when you add your choice of print to your basket.

At this time, I only ship within the UK. However, I am looking at including worldwide shipping in the future.

Postage and packing is currently free. You only pay for your print.