Gicl�e (pronounced zhee-klay) French term is a noun that means a spray or a spurt of liquid.
Gicl�e are digital reproductions utilizing inkjet technology: a continuous stream of millions of droplets of pigment inks produces brilliant reproductions of the original painting. Gicl�e printing allows the artist to customize prints as digital images can be reproduced in different sizes and onto varying media from canvas to water-color paper.
Gicl�e printers are a little over a meter wide and are often affectionately referred to as a "knitting machine" because they look very similar.
Ad Tech Communications Inc., who makes fine art Gicl�e, states that "extensive research has been conducted on the long-life and fade-resistant archival pigment used in Gicl�e. (Archival Inks are special inks used in fine art reproduction that have been optimized for permanence.) Recently, Wilhelm Imaging Research, Inc. announced their findings, that using proper care and lighting, Gicl�e prints can retain their image quality for over 100 years and in some cases 200 to 300 years."
My paintings are museum quality Gicl�e reproductions applied to high quality canvas. The resulting images are so intense and life-like that it is often difficult to distinguish the copy from the original.
Over 90% of the visible color spectrum is used which achieves deep, rich and vibrant colors. Eight layers of thin varnish are applied in the final process of my Gicl�e. This coating provides protection from ultra-violet induced fading as well as fingerprints and smudging.
Care of Gicl�e prints should be treated like any other work of art. They need to be protected from moisture and exposure to direct sunlight and Halogen lights. Frame Gicl�e without using glass.
Further information on Gicl�e can be found on the internet.