Giclee, which roughly translates to ?to squirt? in French, is a advanced method of photographic and fine art reproduction that creates the highest quality images able to be achieved. Giclee has begun to spread in popularity rapidly with the introduction of digital photography, and the dying state of lithography. In order to qualify as a genuine giclee print, the printmaker that creates the reproduction can be certified by the Giclee Printer's Association (GPA.) In order to qualify for the ?true giclee? moniker, printmakers must demonstrate that they are printing only the highest-quality prints on the market.

In order to be considered for the reputation that comes with this billing, printmakers need to be using archival pigmented inks and archival fine art paper. They need to also be using printers with professional grade nozzles and unique print profiling must be done on each image. Printmakers need to be knowledgable about certain problems that may come up when converting digital images to giclee art. It is highly encouraged that native resolution on images be more than 150 ppi for art papers, and 200 ppi for resin papers. Also, files that are interpolated by more than 200% will yield low quality prints. The image must always be sharp, and should avoid crossover and present balanced color.

Printmakers should also be selective of what kind of printer they are using to produce giclees. Epson, Roland and Colorspan are highly regarded printers and are highly recommended. Professional image editing software like photoshop is also very recommended. Inks that are pigmented and archival after coating are imperative to the vividness and quality of giclee prints. The inks won't mean a thing, however, if acid-free paper isn't utilized and optical brighteners aren't coated. Unless media with optical brighteners are coated, they will yellow and deteriorate in quality over time.