Discover What Sets Premium Giclée Prints Apart from Standard Ones

You’ve seen both terms thrown around in the art world, but what’s the real deal between giclée and premium giclée prints? Is “premium” just a fancy label, or is your wall missing out?

We tested, compared, and got way too deep into paper weights and pigment inks so you don’t have to. In this guide, you’ll find out exactly what sets these two apart—from the kind of paper that makes colors pop to how long these prints actually last (spoiler: decades).

Basically, if you want to know whether “premium” is just marketing fluff or legit next-level, you’re in the right place.

What Is Giclée Printing?

Okay, first things first: Giclée (pronounced ‘zhee-klay’) is a cool French-inspired term that literally means ‘to squirt’ or ‘to spray’—basically, it’s all about spraying super tiny ink droplets that bring your art to life in crazy sharp detail.

But this isn’t your grandma’s printer. Giclée printing uses super fancy, big inkjet printers that shoot out teeny-tiny droplets of color onto special paper or canvas.

What does that mean for you?

• Crazy sharp details: Like, you can see every brushstroke and color fade just like the real deal.
• Colors that pop: Thanks to these special pigment inks, the colors are bright, rich, and way more vibrant than your average print.
• Built to last: These prints aren’t just a pretty face—they’re built to resist fading for decades, meaning your walls will stay fresh and fab way longer than your average print.

Why Should You Care About Giclée Prints?

Because they’re basically the VIP version of art prints. While your average printer is doing the bare minimum, giclée prints are out here flexing with:

• Archival-quality paper that won’t yellow, wrinkle, or get all crusty over time.
• Rich, pigment-based inks that stay bold and vibrant for decades—no sad fading here.
• Top-tier materials handpicked by artists and pros to make your print look like actual fine art.

Bottom line? Giclée prints are museum-level magic you can hang in your living room.

Fancy, durable, and drop-dead gorgeous.

What’s not to love?

So, What’s the Deal with Premium Giclée?

If regular giclée prints are already awesome, you might be thinking, “Wait—what’s premium giclée then? Is it like Giclée’s fancy cousin?”

Basically, yes! ‘Premium giclée’ isn’t an official label, but artists and galleries use it to shout, ‘This print is seriously next-level.’

It’s the same awesome giclée printing magic—but with fancier materials, extra care, and all the luxe vibes turned up.

Here’s what makes it special:

• Fancier paper: Think thicker, heavier, sometimes textured paper that feels like a dream—often with a matte finish, like premium watercolor paper that artists love.
• Better color magic: Printers use special color settings and layer the ink just right to get even richer colors, sharper details, and more lifelike results.
• Extra protection: Some premium prints get special inks or coatings that help them last even longer and stay flawless, no matter what.
• Top-notch quality checks: These prints often get a bit more TLC—careful inspections and finishing touches to make sure everything looks perfect.

In short? Premium giclée is just your classic giclée print, but leveled up with luxe materials and expert craftsmanship to make it extra special.

Perfect if you want your art to really stand out!

So… What Makes a Premium Giclée Actually Premium?

Giclée prints are already top-tier… so what’s the deal with the premium upgrade everyone keeps talking about?

Spoiler: they’re both top-notch, but Premium Giclée takes things up a notch with fancier materials and extra care.

Here’s a quick breakdown of the main differences, so you know exactly what you’re getting:

Feature	Giclée	Premium Giclée
Printing Process	High-quality digital inkjet with pigment inks	Same tech, but with smarter color settings and ink layering for extra wow
Paper/Canvas Quality	Archival, acid-free fine art paper or canvas	Heavier, textured, and often specialty papers like fancy watercolor paper
Ink Quality	Pigment-based archival inks	Same pigments but sometimes with upgraded formulas for even better colors
Color Accuracy & Gamut	Wide range of vibrant colors	Even wider range and more precise colors that pop
Longevity	Fade-resistant, lasts decades	Potentially lasts even longer with special coatings or better materials
Price	Usually pricey due to high-quality process	Higher price because of luxe materials and craftsmanship
Marketing & Positioning	Seen as standard fine art prints	Sold as luxury or collector-grade pieces

In short: Both will give you beautiful, durable art prints.

If you want something that’s seriously fancy with extra texture, depth, and lasting power, premium giclée is the way to go.

But if you want museum-quality prints without going full luxury, classic giclée has got you covered.

Why Does Paper Even Matter? Spoiler: It’s a Big Deal!

If you’re just diving into the world of giclée prints, you might think, “It’s just paper, right?”

Nope—what kind of paper your print gets put on can totally change how it looks, feels, and how long it lasts.

Here’s the lowdown:

• Standard Giclée Paper: This is your classic good stuff—archival and acid-free paper made just for inkjet printing. It’s usually smooth or has a little texture, giving your print a natural vibe with colors that really shine.
• Premium Giclée Paper: Now we’re talking fancy! This paper is thicker, heavier, and often textured—think lush watercolor paper that feels like real art. The texture adds depth and makes your print feel like it’s straight off the artist’s easel.

But wait, there’s more! Paper brightness (how “white” it is) and how well it works with colors (color profiles) are huge, too.

Premium papers often come with a higher brightness factor, which means your colors don’t just look good—they pop and sizzle with extra vibrancy and contrast.

But hey, sometimes a softer, less bright paper can give your art a chill, natural vibe too! So yeah, paper isn’t just a background player—it’s a major star in making your giclée print look and feel amazing.

Are Premium Giclée Prints Worth the Hype?

Alright, so should you stick with regular giclée prints or go all-in on the Premium stuff? It really comes down to what you want and how much you’re cool spending.

Here’s the scoop:

Pick regular giclée if:

• You want a top-notch, long-lasting print that nails the colors.
• You want something that’ll look great on your wall for decades without fading.
• You’re on a budget but still want museum-level quality.

Go premium giclée if:

• You want the absolute best — think luxe materials and expert craftsmanship.
• You’re a collector or artist who cares about every tiny detail, texture, and longevity.
• You want prints that scream ‘gallery-ready masterpiece’—the kind that almost feel like you’re owning the original artwork itself.
• You don’t mind spending a bit more for that wow-factor quality.

So basically, both choices are winners — it just depends on how fancy you want to get and how deep your wallet is feeling!

How Do Giclée Prints Stack Up Against Other Print Types?

If you’re new to art prints, you might wonder: what makes giclée prints so special compared to other common types like laser prints or regular inkjets?

Let’s break it down!

• Color That Lasts: Giclée prints use fancy pigment inks that basically laugh in the face of fading — they stay vibrant for decades. Other prints often use dye-based inks that can fade faster, especially if they’re exposed to sunlight.
• Details That Wow: Thanks to super-precise inkjet printers and high DPI (that’s “dots per inch” — basically how sharp and detailed the print is), giclée prints capture every tiny detail and smooth color fades that other prints just can’t match.
• Materials That Protect: Giclée prints are made on acid-free, archival-quality papers or canvases. This means your print won’t yellow or deteriorate over time, unlike some cheaper options.

Put it all together, and giclée prints are the gold standard for fine art—whether you go standard or premium. They look stunning, last a long time, and truly do justice to the original artwork.

Final Thoughts: What’s the Real Deal with Giclée vs Premium Giclée?

In the end, it’s not a whole new printing method — just better materials and a little extra artistic love that set the premium stuff apart.

Both types deliver gorgeous, long-lasting prints that capture the original artwork’s vibrant colors and fine details.

• If you want a solid, high-quality print that’ll stand the test of time, regular giclée has got you covered.
• But if you’re after something that really pops with thicker paper, richer textures, and maybe even longer durability, premium giclée steps up that game.

Either way, choosing giclée means you’re investing in beautiful art reproductions you’ll love showing off for years.