Why Giclée Prints Stand Out Compared to Regular Prints

If you’ve ever looked into high-quality art prints, you’ve probably noticed that some cost a lot more than others, even when they look similar. So what’s actually going on there?

In this article, we’re going to break down the real differences between giclée prints and standard prints—specifically in terms of:

• Ink quality
• Paper or canvas material
• Color accuracy
• How long the print will last

By the end, you’ll know when it’s worth paying more for a giclée, and when a regular print gets the job done.

To keep things simple and clear, we’re comparing them using the same criteria artists and printmakers use:

• Ink type (pigments vs dyes)
• Material quality (archival vs standard)
• Printer technology (professional vs consumer-grade)
• Archival standards (how the print holds up over time)

No hype—just what actually matters.

Let’s start by defining what a giclée even is.

First, What Even Is a Giclée?

A giclée is basically the fancy, high-quality version of an art print. But the word itself sounds more mysterious than it is. It comes from a French word meaning to spray, referring to the ink spraying method used by high-end inkjet printers.

Here’s the simplest explanation:

A giclée print is a fine‑art reproduction produced with:

• Pigment-based inks
• Archival (acid-free and lignin-free) paper or canvas
• Very high digital resolution

These materials and printing methods come together to create a print that:

• Has rich, accurate color
• Is sharp and detailed
• Can last for many decades without significant fading or yellowing (when printed, framed and displayed under favorable conditions)

In other words: a giclée is the closest most people can get to owning something that looks nearly identical to the original artwork.

So Then, What Counts as a Regular Print?

A regular print is any art reproduction that isn’t made to archival quality standards. It’s a very broad category that could include:

• Poster prints
• Digital prints on standard photo paper
• Cheap décor prints
• Lower-cost inkjet prints sold online
• Commercial prints made in bulk

Regular prints are totally fine for decorating spaces where longevity isn’t the main priority. Some may even use pigment inks, but unless the paper and print process are archival-rated, they are still more prone to fading and yellowing over time.

The key differences really come down to:

• Ink quality
• Paper or canvas type
• How long the print will last before fading

Let’s break those down clearly and simply.

The Big Differences (Explained in Plain English)

1. The Ink

This is probably the most important difference.

Giclée Prints: Use pigment-based inks, which are lightfast and archival. That means they resist fading for decades—even a century or more.

Regular Prints: Often use dye-based inks, which generally have lower lightfastness and a higher likelihood of fading when exposed to sunlight or strong indoor lighting.

If you’ve ever seen an old poster that slowly turned lighter or a print that changed color over a few years, that’s dye-based ink doing what dye-based ink does.

2. The Paper or Canvas

Giclée printing uses archival substrates, which is a fancy way of saying the material will not break down, yellow, or go brittle.

Common giclée materials include:

• 100% cotton rag paper
• Museum-grade watercolor paper
• Archival canvas

These materials are acid-free and made to last.

Regular prints, on the other hand, might be printed on:

• Glossy poster paper
• Standard inkjet paper
• Thin commercial cardstock

These can look fine when new, but they are not built with longevity in mind.

3. The Printer and Printing Process

Giclée printers rely on large‑format, professional ink‑jet systems optimised for fine‑art reproduction. Many support eight or more ink cartridges—beyond standard CMYK—which enables finer color gradations and more accurate reproduction of subtle tones.

Regular printers might use a standard 4-color system (cyan, magenta, yellow, black), which captures far fewer color tones.

More ink colors means:

• More depth in shadows
• More accurate skin tones
• More variation in gradients
• Better replication of subtle details

Bottom line? Giclée prints offer a superior resemblance to the original artwork.

4. Longevity and Durability

This is where the difference becomes really noticeable. If you are someone who plans to keep art long-term, or who buys art you love, this matters.

Giclée prints: Under proper care—using archival materials, favourable lighting and climate control—may last many decades (often cited as 50 to 100+ years) without major fading, though actual longevity depends on conditions and materials used.

Regular prints: May start to fade or yellow within a few years if they get sun exposure. Even indoor lighting can be enough to cause changes over time.

So if the artwork has emotional significance, personal value, or investment potential, the giclée is the safer choice.

Feature	Giclée Print
Ink Type	Pigment-based inks that resist fading
Material	Archival paper or canvas designed to last
Printer Quality	Professional fine-art printers with expanded color range
Lifespan	Can last decades when cared for properly

Why Giclée Prints Cost More

At first glance, the price difference may seem dramatic. But here’s what you’re actually paying for when you buy a giclée:

• More expensive ink
• Higher quality materials
• A slower, more precise printing process
• Artist-approved or color-matched reproduction
• Potential limited edition printing

Many artists also review test prints and adjust colors and shades until the reproduction matches the original. That extra attention to detail takes time.

Regular prints are usually mass-produced and optimized for volume, not longevity.

Okay, But Which One Should You Buy?

Here’s the real question: is a giclée worth it?

Buy a Giclée If:

• You want a piece that will last a long time
• You care about accurate color and fine details
• The artwork holds personal or investment value
• You want something that looks close to the original

Choose a Standard Print If:

• You’re decorating on a budget
• You want something for a temporary space
• Longevity is not a priority
• You simply want a visual piece, without archival quality

Neither option is wrong. It just depends on your priorities.

If Your Priority Is…	Best Choice	Why
Long-term value and color accuracy	Giclée	It holds up over time and stays true to the original artwork
Decorating affordably or temporarily	Regular Print	You get the look you want without the investment
Preserving detail and subtle tones	Giclée	The expanded inks and archival materials make a visible difference
Simply filling space with art you enjoy	Regular Print	Works well when longevity isn’t the main concern

How to Tell If a Print Is Truly a Giclée (And Not Just Marketed As One)

Some sellers may slap the word “giclée” on any inkjet print to make it sound fancier. Here’s how to check if the print you’re seeing is the real thing:

1. Ask what kind of ink was used: It must be pigment-based.
2. Ask what the print is made on: Look for terms like archival, acid-free, cotton rag, or museum canvas.
3. Ask about print resolution or printer type: True giclées use wide-format professional printers designed for fine art.
4. Check for edition numbers or certificates: Not required, but common for collectible prints.

If the seller can’t answer these questions clearly, it’s probably not a giclée.

Why Collectors Prefer Giclée Prints

Collectors tend to prefer giclée prints not just because they look better, but because they:

• Hold up over time without losing quality
• Are often sold in limited editions
• Stay truer to the artist’s original vision
• Have more value retention

Giclées don’t magically turn into investment pieces on their own—artist reputation, edition size, rarity, and provenance still matter more. But when a print is meant to represent the original as faithfully as possible, the giclée is the most respected format.

Final Takeaway

Here’s the quick comparison you can keep in your mind:

Feature	Giclée Print	Regular Print
Ink Type	Pigment-based	Dye-based
Paper/Canvas	Archival, acid-free	Standard or commercial grade
Color Accuracy	Very high	Variable
Longevity	Often 50–100+ yrs (proper care)	Can fade within a few years
Cost	Higher	Lower

If you care about preserving art, appreciating fine detail, and owning something that will look just as beautiful decades from now, a giclée print is absolutely worth it.

If you’re decorating a dorm room or just want something visually appealing without committing to long-term preservation, a regular print is perfectly fine.

It all comes down to purpose.