FAQ
WHAT IS AN ARCHIVAL PIGMENT PRINT?
Archival pigment prints, also known as fine art digital prints, are produced using high density, archival quality pigments in combination with archival quality, acid-free fine-art papers.
The prints are produced on specialized large-format printers that use digital technology and sophisticated print heads to apply up to 10 different pigments to a substrate in a fine mist. Considered state-of-the-art in fine art digital printing, these complex printers produce prints of unparalleled, extraordinary detail with brilliant and deeply saturated colors previously impossible to achieve by traditional printing methods.
Unlike regular dye-based inks, pigment-based archival inks adhere to the paper surface creating a rich, velvet-like texture and an amazingly tactile quality.
Archival pigment prints have exceptional longevity ratings of 100 to 200 years before any signs of fading or paper yellowing might occur. By comparison, non-archival prints can fade noticeably within just a few years.
WHAT IS A GICLÉE PRINT?
Archival pigment prints are sometimes referred to as giclée prints.
The term 'giclée' was coined in 1991 by master printmaker Jack Duganne, then working at Nash Editions during the pioneering days of digital fine art printmaking. It derives from the French "le gicleur" meaning "nozzle", a reference to the print head nozzles through which ink passed.
While the term 'giclée' has generally been associated with high quality inkjet prints, over time it came to be associated with prints produced on any inkjet machine. Standard inkjet printers cannot use archival pigment inks and are incapable of producing archival quality prints.
The term "archival pigment print" is now preferred by many artists and galleries for the clarification it provides.
WHAT IS A DIGITAL PRINT?
Digital prints refer to images created with the aid of a computer. In the case of archival pigment prints, the artwork resides on a digital file which is sent to a specialized printer and printed on archival paper, using pigment-based archival inks.
WHAT IS MEANT BY AN "ORIGINAL PRINT"?
A digital print is considered an "original print" only if the artwork was created specifically and exclusively for realization as a print, and exists in no other form. This generally means that only artwork created with reliance on digital technology as a medium can be considered an "original print".
Any print of artwork that exists in another medium, such as an existing pastel drawing or oil painting, is considered a reproduction and is therefore not an original print. Most archival pigment prints or giclée prints on the market are reproduction prints of artworks that exist in another medium.
All prints offered on the JONES + LAISH website are original prints.
WHO MAKES YOUR PRINTS?
We consider print-making to be part of our artistic process. We therefore produce our prints in-house, to meticulous standards using our own equipment.
Our largest Special Edition prints ( sized 77 x 40 inches / 196 x 102 cm and larger ) exceed the capacity of our in-house equipment are produced with an outside supplier to the same exacting standards, under our direction.
HOW SHOULD I CARE FOR MY PRINT?
Archival pigment prints are rated for permanence, and can last for 100 to 200 years before any signs of fading appear. Even so, any high-quality print should be protected from direct UV exposure or excessive humidity. Framing with with archival, acid-free materials along with UV protected glass or UV protected plexiglass will help to ensure maximum longevity of your print.
DO YOU OFFER YOUR PRINTS FRAMED?
Currently we do not offer framed prints as a 'standard item' on our gallery website, but we are pleased to deal with individual custom orders.
If you prefer to purchase your print already framed, please contact us to discuss your preferences and to obtain a special order quotation.
Please note that each print ships with suggested framing specifications that can be supplied to your framer. Certain prints, such as the 10 x 8 inch edition of the Butterfly Effects Series, are compatible with standard size frames.
DO YOU ACCEPT CUSTOM COMMISSIONS?
We are happy to consider custom commissions or special orders from individuals, design professionals, galleries or commercial clients. Please contact us at hello@jonesandlaish.com to discuss your project.
If you have any other questions, please feel free to contact us.
