Portfolio: Limited Edition Digital Prints of
Mixed-Media Images

-Also known as a gicle’e prints (See definition and more information below).

-High-quality archival prints available on canvas or heavy rag (cotton fiber) printmaking paper

-Limited edition of only a total of 50 prints (no artist proofs,
only fifty prints total, signed and numbered by the artist, available in custom sizes)

-Available in custom sizes: Determine the width or height needed? I can calculate the price for you by the size.
The minimum size is approximately 11 x 14 inches. The maximum size 59 inches by whatever…

-Digital prints are exclusively available through the artist
and not available through galleries.
See the basic price list near the bottom of this page.

-If a print is not in stock when purchased at the size or surface (paper or canvas) you desire, it usually takes about two to three weeks to get to you.

-Many of my mixed-media art images are available as custom digital prints.
See below for portfolio of existing prints.

What is a gicle’e?

A gicle’e (pronounced zhee-klay) is a high quality fine art digital reproduction print.  It is a French term meaning “to spray or spit ink”.  The contemporary inks or dyes used today are extremely durable and highly resistant to fading from ultraviolet light. The resolution ink spray printers are able to print on various archival materials such as heavy rag printmaking or watercolor papers, heavy archival photography paper and primed archival painting canvas.  This allows superior reproduction quality because of the heavy duty archival materials (paper or canvas) and sometimes textural surfaces are similar to the original surfaces. 
When utilizing offset lithographic printing processes, artists have to print hundreds or thousands of each image, all at once, in order to produce a limited edition reproduction print.  The digital gicle’e process allows artists to print a few images as they want, at a time.  They have even more control over the product with a much smaller upfront investment.  The results are consistent and repeatable high quality reproductions of original works of art.  The artist is very involved with every decision concerning the finished product.
I like to discreetly sign and number the front of print and also on the back of the canvas or paper. I limit my gilcle’e (digital) prints to a total of only 50 impressions. Theoretically, each one could be a different size, but only fifty prints total.

The original image or a high quality large-format photograph is usually scanned through a high resolution scanner.  The image is usually the most faithful of reproductions.  Because the print can be printed on the most appropriate surface, such as a watercolor painting printed on watercolor paper; the results are the most representational and impressive.

The prints are usually done in a limited number and signed and numbered by the artist.  The limited edition creates a more affordable image for collectors who sometimes do not have the option of purchasing the original.

What is archival?

“Archival” refers to a material that will not disintegrate under its own power.  It would have to be contaminated with something that would break down it’s fibers or structural substance.  A newspaper is not archival.  Because of the acidic content of the economic wood pulp paper it is made from, the newspaper yellows and becomes brittle with age.  This harmful affect is intensified with exposure to ultraviolet light.  A newspaper left outside on a lawn one day can look quite old and antique.  Archival material such as rag printmaking paper or watercolor paper can be contaminated but exposure to materials such as cardboard or masking tape which has a high acid-content in them.  The archival material must be protected with archival materials (acid-free backings, mats and mounting materials).

Works on paper also should always be protected with “conservation” glass or acrylic glazing. This helps protect the art or document from fading from ultraviolet light. UV light can not only cause fading but when mixed with none archival materials can cause yellowing and discoloring.

See a professional custom picture framer that specializes in archival framing for guidance.

Used by permission:   Douglas E. Taylor    copyright 2003, 2005, 2006 , 2020