Need help with the difference between Photographic C-type and Giclée Fine Art (Pigment) printing, and which finishing services suit each? We’ve got you covered.
Both Photographic C-type and Giclée prints are produced using a digital process. As a rule, Photographic C-type prints have the tactile look and feel of a traditional photographic print, while our Giclée prints can be produced on a diverse range of tactile coated or uncoated papers, so have a “fine art” feel.
Their inherent differences mean that some mounting and finishing services are better suited, and some not so – read more below.
Photographic C-type and Giclée Fine Art Paper Properties: At a Glance
| Paper | Process | Weight | Textured | Max Width | Suitability: Classic Gallery/Spacer Framing | Suitability: Tray/Keyline Framing | Suitability: Perspex/Glass Face Mount | Suitability: MDF Mounting | Suitability: Foamex/Foamboard | Suitability: Dibond/Aluminium Mount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fujicolor Crystal Archive Matte | C-type | 231gsm | No | 50″ | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Fujicolor Crystal Archive Gloss | C-type | 246gsm | No | 50″ | Not reccommended | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Fujicolor Crystal Archive Pearl | C-type | 242gsm | No | 50″ | Not reccommended | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Hahnemühle Museum Etching | Giclée | 350gsm | Yes | 44″ | Yes | Not reccommended | No | Dependent on requirements* | Yes | Dependent on requirements* |
| Hahnemühle Photo Rag Smooth | Giclée | 308gsm | No | 64″ | Yes | Not reccommended | No | Dependent on requirements* | Yes | Dependent on requirements* |
| Hahnemühle German Etching | Giclée | 310gsm | Yes | 44″ | Yes | Not reccommended | No | Dependent on requirements* | Yes | Dependent on requirements* |
| Hahnemühle Baryta | Giclée | 325gsm | No | 60″ | Yes | Yes | No | Dependent on requirements* | Yes | Yes |
| Canson Platine Fibre Rag | Giclée | 310gsm | No | 60″ | Yes | Yes | No | Dependent on requirements* | Yes | Yes |
What is Photographic C-type Printing?
A Photographic C-type print is a digital print produced using Durst’s Lambda printer. Durst’s Lambda uses three lasers (RGB – red, green and blue) merged into one to create digital C-type prints on light-sensitive silver halide materials. The exposed paper is then ‘wet’ processed using photographic chemistry, similar to traditional photographic prints produced using negatives with an enlarger in a darkroom.
Using this process, we can print your images in full colour or black and white in sizes up to 1219 mm (48 inches) in width and up to the length of an entire roll – a massive 1,968 inches.
Our C-type processor includes three wash tanks rather than the standard two, which increases archival stability.
Why Should I Choose Photographic C-type Prints?
Photographic C-type printing is the highest quality digital c-type printing available. The renowned Durst Lambda processor produces digital c-type prints that combine traditional archival processes with the benefits of a digital process.
Digital file information (the image) is passed directly to photographic paper using a system of lasers (rather than LEDs, which some digital C-type printers use). The Durst Lambda c-type printer produces an image with a higher PPI than commonly used LED printers, such as The Durst Theta or ZBE’s Chromira.
We can achieve ultra-sharp photographic digital C-type prints with true continuous tone, crisp edge-to-edge printing, and absolutely no distortion through this process.
We only use the highest-grade archival materials to produce your Photographic C-type print and carry stock of Fujicolor Crystal Archive papers in traditional Matte, Gloss, Super Gloss and Pearl.
Each paper offers the tactility of a traditional photographic print with the benefits of additional control associated with a digital photographic printing process.
What is Giclée Fine Art (Pigment) Printing?
The word ‘Giclée’ was coined in the 1990s and is derived from the French phrase, ‘gicler,’ which translates as ‘to squirt’ or ‘spray’ (inspired by how the printer nozzle applies the ink pigments to the paper). The terms ‘Giclée Prints’ or ‘pigment prints’ refer to a print made using an inkjet printer as an output device.
Our Giclée Fine Art printing is archival grade and offers intense colour and vibrancy. Giclée prints are available on archival papers in sizes up to 60 inches wide and just about any length you desire.
Why Should I Choose Giclée Fine Art (Pigment) Prints?
Giclée Printing offers vivid colours unparalleled by traditional photographic printing and true-tone for black and white images. Our Epson Ultrachrome inks are specially designed for our high-grade archival papers and produce highly pigmented and lightfast Giclée prints. We stock a wide selection of archival Hahnemühle and Canson papers, providing a range of effects through different tactility and textures.
Genesis use Pigment inks rather than dye-based inks for greater longevity and stability. Pigment inks offer far superior resistance to light, humidity and moisture than dye-based inks. You can read more of the benefits of this type of ink here.
Exceptional quality materials twinned with our client-centric approach ensure that we give you the best results every time.
Which Giclée Fine Art Papers Do You Print On?
We stock a wide selection of archival Hahnemühle and Canson papers for Giclée Fine Art (Pigment) printing – each paper provides a different tactility, texture, and effect to the final print. The papers are available in varying degrees widths. Please call to confirm we can print your image using the papers below at the size you require. We can also print on a variety of other papers by request.
Hahnemühle Fine Art Paper – German Etching® Matt Fine Art Textured Paper – max width 44″
Hahnemühle’s German Etching® is a white 100% a-cellulose paper – guaranteeing archival standards. The mould-made, heavyweight 310gsm paper features a premium matt inkjet coating, meeting the highest industry standards for density, colour gamut, colour graduation and image sharpness.
Hahnemühle Fine Art Paper – Museum Etching® – max width 44″
Hahnemühle’s Museum Etching® is a white 100% cotton paper – guaranteeing archival standards. This heavyweight 350gsm etching paper features a premium matt inkjet coating, meeting the highest industry standards for density, colour gamut, colour graduation and image sharpness.
Hahnemühle Fine Art Paper – Photo Rag Smooth® – max width 64″
Hahnemühle’s Photo Rag Smooth® is a white 100% cotton paper – guaranteeing archival standards. This heavyweight 308gsm paper features a premium matt inkjet coating, meeting the highest industry standards for density, colour gamut, colour graduation and image sharpness.
Hahnemühle Fine Art Paper – Fine Art Baryta – max width 60″
Hahnemühle’s Fine Art Baryta paper is a white 325gsm 100% a-cellulose paper with a high-gloss finish. The barium inkjet coating ensures this paper is a genuine replacement for traditional Baryta papers from analogue laboratories. Fine Art Baryta meets the highest industry standards regarding density, colour gamut, colour graduation and image sharpness.
Canson Platine Paper – Fibre Rag – max width 60″
Canson’s Platine Fibre Rag Paper is a white 100% cotton, heavyweight 310gsm smooth satin paper with high water resistance. Platine Fibre Rag provides the aesthetic and feel of the original F-Type Baryta Fibre paper and possesses exceptional grey tones, producing excellent colour and black and white prints. This paper meets the highest industry standards regarding density, colour gamut, colour graduation and image sharpness.
Hahnemühle Natural Line Fine Art Paper – Bamboo – max width 50″
Hahnemühle Bamboo is a 290gsm FineArt inkjet paper made from 90% bamboo fibres, for a natural look and more environmentally friendly paper production. The natural white, warm-toned bamboo paper does not contain optical brighteners, and stands out thanks to its soft, lightly textured felt structure and sensual feel. The matt premium inkjet coating delivers excellent printing results with defined reproduction of colour and detail, particularly for warm hues and monochrome prints. Bamboo is acid- and lignin-free and meets the most precise requirements in terms of age resistance. The unique combination of sustainable bamboo fibres, soft surface texture and impressive print quality gives the artwork outstanding expression and soul.
Hahnemühle Natural Line Fine Art Paper – Agave – max width 50″
Hahnemühle Agave is a 290gsm FineArt inkjet paper that is produced using 70% agave fibres. The base material stands out with its bright white natural tone and does not contain optical brighteners. The rough, yet delicately defined surface texture gives the subject a captivating sense of depth and impresses with a pleasant, soft feel. The matt premium inkjet coating guarantees outstanding print results with excellent reproduction of colour and detail, deep black and optimum contrasts. Hahnemühle Agave is acid- and lignin-free and meets the most exacting requirements in terms of age resistance. The combination of unique raw fibre materials, bright white natural tone, balanced surface texture and the customary high print quality makes it an exclusive, versatile FineArt inkjet paper.
Hahnemühle Natural Line Fine Art Paper – Sugar Cane – max width 50″
Hahnemühle Sugar Cane is a 300gsm FineArt inkjet paper made from 70% sugar cane – a rapidly renewable natural raw material. The natural white, warm-toned sugar cane paper does not contain optical brighteners, and features a unique, clearly defined felt structure and tactile feel. The matt premium inkjet coating delivers excellent print results with defined reproduction of colour and detail, particularly for warm hues and monochrome prints. Hahnemühle Sugar Cane is acid- and lignin-free and meets the most stringent requirements in terms of age resistance. The unique combination of sustainable sugar cane fibres, clearly defined surface texture and impressive print quality gives the artwork outstanding expressiveness and soul.
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