How does a Giclée print differ from a lithograph?
GICLÉE PRINTS are created from a high-resolution digital file, using high-tech, sophisticated, computer-controlled printers using specially formulated inks on archival watercolor paper or canvas. Rich Thistle prints are reproduced on Hahnemühle paper. The result is an exceedingly high-quality, near-continuous-tone print, which better reproduces the surface qualities and integrity of the original art than any other printing process. PHOTO-MECHANICAL LITHO PRINTS are created by generating a large-format, positive transparency of the original art using specialized camera equipment, or by scanning paper originals on a large drum scanner. Color separations are created from at least four – or more – printing plates developed for each color required. These plates are used on a color offset, printing press to produce several hundreds or thousands of prints during a press run. The result is an image comprised of a series of very small dots, visible under magnification, which recreate the origin
