Digital images are created from photographs taken with a digital camera or from scanned images. Fine art prints that are made from digital files generally are created from high resolution files, not small jpg files that most of us use with our point and shoot cameras.

With todays high-end inkjet printers, ultra chrome pigmented inks, and professional grade papers that are fade resistant, photographic images can be created that can last a lifetime. One of the advantages of high-end digital printing is that the images can be optimized for color accuracy better than other methods of print reproduction.

Giclee (pronounced zheeclay) prints are fine art digital prints that use 8 or 12 color inkjet printers. Giclee is a French word meaning spray or a spurt of liquid. Giclee printing can produce beautiful detailed photographic prints at various sizes and on different surfaces like watercolor paper, canvas or other fine art papers. The prints longevity is based on the media (the paper) and inks being used generally 90-100 years. Remember, the stability of the print will vary due to environmental factors, too. Proper matting, framing, and lighting conditions in the room will all affect the longevity of the image.

With the advent of high-end digital printing, once an image is digitally archived, artists can print on demand without any change in the quality of the final print. Also, with digital printing, images can be reproduced onto various media (canvas, watercolor paper, etc) and at most sizes. Today, galleries often display and sell high-end digital prints. They sell at prices similar to other contemporary fine art prints.

Andrea Sperling is the founder of the online fine art photo gallery for the home called Will It Look Good Over The Sofa. To see her site, visit: http://WillItLookGoodOverTheSofa.com

A giclee becomes a one of a kind when the artist uses the high-end digital print out as a stepping off point for further exploration. The artist has control after the print is made as to which avenue he or she wishes to travel. Images may be short runs with a certificate of authentication stating how many images in total are to be created. Images may be printed as a one of which makes it an original. Finally, some artists are doing what I have adopted as my practice for the past three years and go on from the print to alter, highlight, paint out, paint in, apply various medium/texture.

How do you know if a work is an original or not? Knowing the artist is the best insurance. If it is a multi-run, make sure you get a signed certificate which you should keep on the back of the work of art.

How do you know if the artist is not going to reproduce the exact image that you have purchased which is painted in water colors, acrylics or oil? You don’t. We have all seen the wolf portrait painters in malls all over North America. They slavishly reproduce the same image much as a painter in a china factory paints the plates.

An artist takes pride in what he or she does. Betraying trust with a customer is a betrayal of the artist as well as the one who walks away with the work. We both lose.

Get to know the practice of the artist from whom you are buying.