What Makes a Giclee Canvas Transfer different from Other Canvas Prints?

Giclee is a term first used in 1991 by Jack Duganne to denote a technique wherein inkjet printing is employed in the creation of digital prints that are meant to be considered an artwork. A giclee canvas transfer, then, is really just the application of the said method to replicate a particular piece of art onto a canvas. Aside from a glicee canvas transfer, there are other techniques used in art reproduction. In a lithograph canvas transfer, for instance, the image – or more accurately, the ink – can be transferred in two ways: from a flexible plate often made of aluminum to the specified print medium; or from the plate to a rubber sheet then to the medium. It is important to note, though, that an original canvas transfer, in a sense, is not achieved in the first lithographic method since the image that will be shown in the canvas is reversed.

A serigraph canvas transfer is also another option aside from giclee canvas transfer. For those unfamiliar to the term, this technique is more commonly known as screen printing. This method of canvas transfer employs a stencil or a template made out of a mesh to transfer the image to a medium. It is more flexible than lithography.

Admittedly, the two mentioned methods of canvas transfer produce prints that are relatively cheaper compared to giclee transfer canvas prints. However, cheaper alternatives are not necessarily better, especially in cases such as this. For an artist canvas transfer is often a means to extend the influence of his art; hence, accuracy is utmost importance. Lithograph and serigraph canvas transfers may cost less, but compared to a giclee canvas transfer, they trail behind in terms of precision. A giclee transfer is known to turn out prints that remain true to the original whatever the medium is, so if canvas is used, anyone looking at the print is sure to do a double-take – it may have been the original piece, for all they know.

Anyone who appreciates a good piece of art can find in ebay canvas transfer prints that are artworks on their own. In looking for one, however, it is important to consider the transfer method used. A piece done through giclee canvas transfer should be the first, or better yet, the only alternative. This is because through giclee canvas transfer fine art is not only reproduced- it is preserved.