Reproduction Giclée Prints
Giclée prints can be found in the world’s finest museums, art galleries and private art collections. These fine art reproduction prints are nothing like a photo or poster print. A fine art reproduction giclée print will last well over 150 years without fading with proper care. Missy uses only the finest materials available to create her giclée prints.
Giclée Printing Process & Materials
After Missy finishes a painting, she has it scanned with a high-resolution scanner or photographed in high-resolution for archival reasons and to allow her to create prints. Missy sends these high-resolution artwork files to her trusted fine art printer. The fine art printing process must carefully reproduce both the rich colors and the beautiful textures of each brush stroke from Missy’s original painting and this is why she trusts only a master printer and expert in fine art printing to create her reproductions.
Only the finest fully archival, museum quality pigment inks and substrates are used to create Missy’s Limited Edition Giclée Reproduction Prints. Each print must pass Missy’s color and quality inspection before she will sign and number it. Missy’s Open Edition Giclée Prints are made with the same materials and attention to details as the Limited Editions though they are not hand-signed and numbered.
Printer & Ink- The giclée reproduction prints are created on a large format, high resolution printer using Canon Lucia Pigment Inks which are rated to last well over 150 years without fading when the print is cared for properly.
Fine Art Paper- Missy typically uses the William Turner Paper by Hahnemühle or another fine art paper from the Hahnemühle collection. These fine art paper prints feature a 1-2 inch margin around the artwork and Missy offers several custom frame package add-ons.
Canvas- Missy uses either the Lyve Canvas or Renaissance Canvas by Breathing Colors. These prints are gallery wrapped around 1.5″ deep stretcher bars and finished with framer’s tape and hanging wire for a ready-to-hang professional finish. Missy offers several custom frame package add-ons for those that wish to frame their canvas prints.
Edition Types & Limitation
Open Editions are digitally signed and may be offered on fine art paper or canvas. Because they are Open Editions, an unlimited number of these prints may be created in a particular size and substrate. These will never sell out. Because these prints are digitally signed, they are shipped to you directly from the printer.
Limited Editions are hand-signed and numbered and may be offered on fine art paper or canvas. Because they are Limited Editions, only a certain number of prints will be made available in each of the size and substrate options. The number of prints and proofs Missy creates in each edition can vary but this number is always clearly stated for each title. When a Limited Edition is sold out, the only way to purchase that particular print is through the secondary art market.
Please note, Limited Edition Print numbers may be distributed in ascending, descending, or random order. As opposed to hand-pulled prints, the print number does not infer any level of quality in Reproduction Giclée Prints. All prints, whether print number 1 or print number 1,000, will be identical in color and quality.
Embellished Editions are actully Limited Editions that have been ordered with an Embellishment Package. When purchased, Missy will embellish your print with hand-painted highlights, hand-painted texutured brush strokes, and/or other materials such as mica shimmer, genuine powdered minerals and gemstones, genuine gold or platinum leaf, UV Luminescence, Glow Luminescence, and other special materials. The exact materials used for each edition is listed on the product page and will also appear on the Certificate of Authenticity. Embellished Editions are also Remarqued with a special sketch, affirmation, quote, or even a special message to you from Heaven. This embellishment process turns the Limited Edition Print into a unique work of art, something between a reproduction and an original painting, and this increases its value.
Signing & Numbering
Open Editions are digitally signed while Limited Editions are hand signed and numbered.
For the numbered editions, Missy may choose to distribute them from lowest to highest, highest to lowest, or randomly. In traditional printmaking with hand-pulled prints, the first prints made were typically better than the last prints made due to wear on the printing plates. However, with giclée reproduction prints, every single print is the same in quality because a digital file doesn’t wear out over time. This is why Missy often chooses to distribute her numbers randomly.
Certificate of Authenticity
Missy includes a certificate of authenticity with each limited edition giclée print she sells. Just like the certificates for original artworks, these certificates include a description of the artwork and the edition, they are hand-signed and printed on special security paper with multiple anti-fraud features. Limited edition prints also include a pair of security holograms with matching serial numbers, one is applied to the certificate and one is applied to the verso side of the print.
Framing
Missy uses only fully archival framing materials in the frame packages she offers in order to protect the artwork from damage. For fine art paper prints, Missy uses only museum quality acid-free mats and backing board. These frames also include Conservation Clear or Conservation Reflection Control acrylic glazing by TruVue. These acrylic choices block up to 99% UV rays.
Shipping
We appreciate your patience when waiting for your limited edition print order. Your giclée print is created specifically for you after we receive your order. It typically takes 6 weeks to arrive. Framed and/or Embellished prints may take several weeks longer.
Most unframed prints on fine art paper are shipped rolled in a shipping tube. Framed paper prints and all canvas prints are shipped in a box. For international collectors, we can send canvas prints unstretched and rolled in a shipping tube if preferred. Simply leave a note in the comment box during checkout (we will refund the shipping cost difference).
If you order other items, such as greeting cards or digitally signed open edition prints, we will split your order to process and ship these other items separately so that you will get them sooner.
Caring for Your Giclée Print
Canvas
Giclée prints on canvas are fragile and should be handled with care. These prints are stretched around 1.5″ deep stretcher bars and they receive a top coat to help seal and protect the print. However, the surface can still be marked and so it is best to handle the print very carefully.
Missy’s canvas prints are gallery wrapped, meaning the edges are clean and professional and the canvas print can be hung on the wall without a frame. If you prefer a framed canvas, Missy offers several frame options, both traditional frames and canvas floater frames, as add-ons when purchasing canvas prints.
Both framed and unframed stretched canvas prints will be shipped in a box. However, for international orders, if you would prefer we ship your canvas print unstretched and rolled in a rigid shipping tube just let us know in the comment section of your order. This can reduce shipping costs and we will refund you any difference if this is the case. If you order this way, you will need to have your canvas print stretched by a professional framer near you.
Whether in a box or a shipping tube, the packaging materials are not meant for long term storage. The safest place for a canvas print is hung up securely on the wall away from sources of heat, humidity, and sunlight. If a print must be stored, please store it in a dark, clean, and dry environment such as an acid-free art storage box.
To clean the giclée canvas, a soft brush can be used to gently remove dust from the surface. Holding a vacuum attachment above the brush will make this process easier but be sure not to scrape the canvas surface. Cleaning solvents of any kind should never be used to clean the print. If your canvas print needs more than just dusting, Missy recommends that you bring it to your local framing professional or art handler for evaluation.
Paper
Giclée prints on fine art paper are extremely fragile and should avoid being handled. Please leave the unpacking and handling of the artwork to a trusted professional framer or art handler. If you must handle unframed prints yourself, take care to handle only on the white margin that surrounds the printed area.
Unframed giclée paper prints will be shipped either flat or rolled in a rigid tube for protection. The packaging materials are not meant for long term storage. The safest place for a fine art paper print is framed and hung up securely on a wall away from sources of heat, humidity, and sunlight. If the print must be stored before framing, store the unframed print flat in a dark, clean, and dry environment.
Paper prints must be framed under glass or acrylic to protect the print from dust, scratches, and other types of damage. Missy offers several framing packages that use only conservation grade materials including acid-free matting and Tru Vue’s UV blocking Conservation Clear or Conservation Reflection Control acrylic. If you are having your print framed locally, your framer should also use only conservation grade materials to ensure the longevity and protection of the artwork.
Since your fine art paper print will be framed under glass or acrylic, it should not require cleaning. However, if something were to happen to your print, Missy recommends that you bring it to a professional framer or art handler for evaluation.