Tips and Advice
The Ultimate Guide to Fine Art and Commercial Printing
The word “print” is used to describe lots of different things. Posters, Leaflets, Photography Prints and Fine Art Prints may all be “printed”, but they are not all produced in the same way for the same purpose.
For example, Flyers being used to promote a business deserve great-quality print, but they don’t need to be produced in the same way as an intricate piece of fine art.
Specialist fine art printing comes into play when colour accuracy, detail and longevity are all high-priority.
In this guide, we’ll explore the differences between commercial and fine art printing, and help decipher which is best for your project!
What is commercial print?
Standard commercial printing is the efficient, repeatable, and budget-friendly option for the majority of print projects. It’s used for Leaflets, Business Cards, Brochures, Signage, and all other commercial and promotional materials.
If you’re looking to print these products, you’re likely looking for clear, high-quality print in large quantities at a reasonable price. These products benefit from the high-quality printing we offer at Printed.com, whereas fine art requires our specialist machinery and papers.
What is fine art printing?
Fine art printing (often referred to as Giclée printing) is the process of producing gallery-quality reproductions of digital files, digital art, or original paintings. Coined by printmaker Jack Duganne in 1991, Giclée is a special type of printing method used to reproduce fine art pieces to a defined archival standard. It comes from a French term that means “to spray”, which is fitting, as Giclée printing uses inkjet printers with a broader array of colours than CMYK, to achieve the accurate colour reproduction and a high-resolution finish.
Another thing that sets Giclée apart from commercial and even regular art printing, is the paper. To make the most of the pigment-based inks, we use archival-quality papers. Choose from three renowned Hahnemühle papers or one Canson Cotton paper, all specially designed for gallery-worthy results.
These papers maintain their appearance over time, and protect against fading and yellowing, making them the ideal choice for any piece that is intended for long-term display.
Giclée Fine Art Print vs Commercial Print: Side-by-Side Comparison
We know it’s a lot to take in, so here’s a quick comparison between Giclée and commercial print.
| Attribute | Giclée Print | Commercial Print |
| Definition | Digital fine art print produced to archival standards | General term for printing to a high standard |
| Ink Type | Archival pigment-based inks (microscopic particles suspended in carrier liquid) | Dye-based inks (dissolved in carrier liquid) |
| Printer Technology | High-resolution inkjet printers | Digital pigment inkjet and dry toner print. |
| Colour Cartridges | 7 colour cartridges for smoother gradients | Standard CMYK |
| Paper/Substrate | Archival acid-free museum-grade papers | Regular paper. High-quality, but not specialist |
| Longevity | 100+ years under proper display conditions | 5-10 years (faster under direct light exposure) |
| Use Cases | Limited editions, photographer portfolios, long-term display, estate reproductions, valuable work preservation, museum or gallery display | Bulk orders, promotional materials, short-term displays, temporary projects |
| Maximum Size | 1000mm x 2000mm | Dependent on product |
Other Art Printing options
At Printed.com, we have a few different ways to print your artwork. Whether you need archival-quality or just great print, we’ve got you covered.
Photography Prints
Our Photography Prints use specialist papers for archival standard reproductions. Sharp detail, rich contrast and enhanced colour accuracy bring your images to life. Whether you’re a professional photographer, gallery owner, or you want to give your favourite memories some extra TLC, Photography Prints are for you.
Art Posters
Art Posters are perfect for printing illustrations, graphic design and other art prints. They’re ideal for artists, graphic designers and home decor enthusiasts. We have an amazing selection of papers, including options with a slight sheen to enhance colour, and uncoated matt options for more muted designs. When you want to print artwork that doesn’t need to be at an archival standard, Art Posters are the best choice.
Foil Art Prints
Choose Foil Art Prints when you want your design to be enhanced with shining digital foil. It can be applied to selected design elements, patterns, or larger portions of your artwork to create contrast, depth, and a luxurious touch. Our digital foiling is available in seven stunning colours: gold, silver, holographic, white pearl, rose gold, copper and red.
Canvas Printing
A classic, timeless option for photographs, wall art and illustrative prints. Our Canvas Prints offer vibrant colours and rich details with artwork flowing across the canvas and around the edges. Lightweight and durable, they make perfect gifts with a high-quality, professional print finish.
Framed Prints
Our Framed Prints are the perfect way to add a polished, gallery-style feel to a space. Printed on our archival-quality papers, with UV-protective, anti-scratch plexiglass, our Framed Prints are designed to remain vibrant and striking for years to come. Whether you’re looking to display your favourite prints, precious memories, or even create a gallery wall, Framed Prints are the perfect choice.
How to choose the right print type for your project
Here’s a quick roundup to help you make your decision based on your project:
Choose standard commercial print if you’re:
- Printing in bulk or making promotional materials
- Working to a tighter budget
- Creating prints for short-term or temporary display
- Not concerned about long-term colour accuracy
Go with a Giclée Fine Art Print if you’re:
- Selling limited edition artwork or prints
- Building a photography portfolio
- Preserving valuable or sentimental work
- Printing pieces intended for long-term display or resale
A few things to keep in mind:
- Resolution matters at scale: Photos from your smartphone tend to be fine for small and medium formats, but begin to lose clarity as you size up. Always check your image resolution before ordering large format prints.
- Custom dimensions are available. Our Giclee fine art prints can be ordered in a range of sizes, including custom dimensions with a minimum size of 200mm x 200mm, and a maximum of 1000mm x 2000mm.
- Try a Sample Pack first. Our Photography and Fine Art Pack gives you a taste of the phenomenal colour and detail that can be achieved with our specialist printers and papers. This sample pack includes:
- Hahnemühle German Etching 310gsm
- Hahnemühle Bamboo 290gsm
- Hahnemühle Photo Rag Pearl 320gsm
- Kodak Gloss 255gsm
- Epson Luster 260gsm
High-quality print for every need at Printed.com
No matter whether you need a simple run of Business Cards or an intricate Art Print, we’re here to help. Our state-of-the-art print facility is stacked full of specialist machinery with a team of experts at the helm, ensuring every print is produced to the highest possible standard. From commercial print to specialist Giclée, trust Printed.com to make it real.
About the author
When Ellie's not busy crafting content, you will find her at a gig, knitting or crocheting!
