Proteus Workshop Giclee Limited Editioning

Like many areas of the fine-art world, quite a bit of nonsense has been published regarding the Giclee process, much of it designed to confuse and obscure a simple truth: Giclee prints are made using high-resolution digital files and commercial grade inkjet printers.

Done well, Giclee prints are hard to distinguish from original artworks. Giclee prints are well accepted in museums and galleries throughout the world. They are a highly collectible, established medium in the fine-art community and now represent approximately 55% of all fine art prints currently produced worldwide.

Proteus Workshop uses professional grade 6-color inkjet printers, pigmented inksets and archival media to produce fine quality Giclee prints. One should not confuse inexpensive home printers, or even mid-grade "proofing printers" with the high-end equipment required to produce professional caliber Giclee prints.

The six color pigmented inkset and 100% rag paper combination used by Proteus Workshop is projected by Wilhelm Imaging Research to have archival qualities for many decades.


Artists may choose to "edition" their work. Editioning means creating several high quality copies of the original, then offering the copies to collectors in a numbered series. Several factors can drive the decision to edition an otherwise singular original work: Economics: Editioning a popular original multiplies the economic value derived from the artists’ efforts. An original monotype may sell for $1000. An edition of 25 well-executed Giclee prints may sell for $400 apiece, returning an additional $10,000 in gross sales to the artist. Portfolio Expansion: Artists may have difficulty maintaining a portfolio of the best work. The best pieces usually sell first. Making Giclee prints of ones best work prior to sale allows the artist to build a portfolio that is truly representative of their career. Archival Considerations: Executed properly using the latest inksets and media substrates, Giclee prints may have archival characteristics well in excess of the original artwork.

1. A high-resolution reproduction of the original artwork is made using direct digital capture with Sinar view cameras and BetterLight digital scanning backs. Careful attention is paid to balanced lighting, accurate color reproduction, edge-to-edge sharpness and other factors critical to the production of an excellent likeness of the original. (We can also work from your professionally made 4" X 5" negatives or transparencies, as well as high-resolution digital files.

2. A reduced size proof is made for customer review / comment and /or approval. Up to 3 proofing iterations are included in this step at no additional charge.

3. Final output is usually made on media from the Hahnemuhle Collection of Fine Art papers. These are archival quality watercolor papers, specially coated to keep pigmented inksets on the surface, thereby creating an image that is archivally stable, yet vibrant and true to the original.

Turn-Around Time:
Initial proofs require approximately 3 business days once original artwork is received. Turn-around time for final prints once the proofing process is complete is approximately 2 business days. Rush jobs may be possible, subject to production time availability and additional costs.

Delivery:
Artists in the Sonoma / Napa / Marin area may choose to deliver / pick-up the work themselves from Proteus Workshop. Artists outside these areas may use the transportation carrier of their choice. Careful packaging and insurance is always appropriate when moving artwork. We recommend the services of Federal Express and maintain a close working relationship with this carrier. Please contact Proteus Workshop to facilitate street address delivery instructions. Our facility is easily accessible, but remains confidential except to qualified customers.