For your credibility and reputation as an artist,
it is important that your prints are produced properly.
So how can you determine if a giclee fine art printing company
will provide acceptable results? There are a number of
questions that should be answered but the most important
two considerations are the printer ink and media.
Pigmented inks (such as Epson Ultrachrome) are recognised
as being synonymous with giclee due to their excellent
fade and water resistance unlike dye based inks.
The most archival media type is unbleached 100% cotton
rag. This is because cotton cellulose molecules are longer
than the more usual wood pulp type and take longer to
degrade. Cotton rag is typically made with high quality
fibrous material obtained from cotton seed bags. The
paper is also produced to be lignin and acid free; and
to include an alkaline calcium carbonate buffer layer.
Check the Wilhelm
Imaging Research web site for independent testing
data on various ink and media combinations. At Ionaca,
we only use Epson Ultrachrome pigmented inks; and media
from Hahnemuehle, St Cuthberts and Epson.
Please don't hesitate to contact
us if you would like further advice.
