FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
The term Giclée was coined in 1991 by Jack Duganne while working at Nash Editions in California. Nash Editions, owned by musician and avid photographer Graham Nash, was at the forefront of digital printing technology, using an Iris printer to produce high-quality prints of Nash’s photographs. At the time, digital printing was still in its infancy and was generally not held in high regard compared to traditional hand-crafted printing processes such as lithography, serigraphy, and etching.
The Iris printer, originally designed as a rapid proofing system for offset or web printing, had a unique advantage: it allowed artists to proof on the same substrate (paper) as the final print. This capability made it possible to achieve a highly accurate representation of what a final print would look like on different materials, including newsprint, coated paper, and artist-grade papers.
However, most artists were unfamiliar with digital printing technology at the time, and Nash did not want to associate his high-quality prints with the prevailing digital methods, which often displayed visible digital artifacts such as pixelation. To distance his work from these negative connotations, a new name was needed—something more sophisticated than “inkjet print.” The term Giclée was born from this need. The Iris printer used four nozzles to spray ink, and the French word for nozzle is “gicleur,” while “gicler” means “to spray.” The feminine form of “gicler” is “giclée,” and this term was chosen as a more refined and artistic label.
Initially, the term Giclée was used exclusively for Iris inkjet prints on matte papers and canvas. However, in the late 1990s, Colorspan introduced the Giclée Printmaker FA, a drum-based bubble jet printer, and borrowed the description Giclée. Although the execution of this printer was less than perfect, it broadened the definition of Giclée to include all inkjet prints.
Today, virtually any inkjet print can be referred to as a Giclée. The choice between the two descriptions depends on how you wish to market your prints. (By the way, it's pronounced gee-KLAY, but the pronunciation isn't crucial.) It's worth mentioning some common misspellings of Giclée, which include gliche, glichee, gleechay, geeclay, giclie, gicle, gleechee, gilee, glacee, gillee, and ciglee, but the correct spelling is Giclée.
This is the formula to calculate the price of a print:
LENGTH (inches) x WIDTH (inches) = TOTAL then divide TOTAL by 144 to get TOTAL SQUARE FEET
Multiply TOTAL SQUARE FEET x $28 if it's a first print and x $22 if it's an additional copy from the same file
Minimum print price charge of 1.5 square feet ($42.00 first print, $33.00 additional print)
File submissions downloads, digital preparation fee: First 15 minutes, no charge!
Here is our handy print price calculator to save you from doing some of the math, and here is a price sheet with more common prices.
You can see what we offer and always have in stock on this page and request samples mailed to you. We can print on special papers on request but you must supply us with the paper. You will still be charged full print pricing. Please contact us first to discuss.
We do not offer canvas stretching services. Your canvas prints will be supplied to you with needed extra white or imaged border for stretching if that is what your plans are. We will supply you 1-2” extra canvas at no extra charge. We can recommend some local frame shops who can stretch the canvas on stretchers if needed. Or if we are shipping to you any local framer can perform this process.
We do not, but it is not that hard for you to do. You will just need to order your print with some extra border width. Here is an online video that shows how to do it. You will need a sturdy ruler, a cotton swab, some water, and a flat surface to work on.
We either start with a digital file from you, or by making a high resolution scan/digital capture of your flat artwork or film. You can send us digital files online, bring in media in person, or send us materials in the mail. If you are preparing your digital files for us, please see the information on specs below. We use color management workflows throughout the process.
The next step involves our own extensive in-house proofing to make sure your image looks its best. Many adjustments are made between the digitization stage and the printing stage, and we do side-by-side comparisons under controlled lighting. If you are getting a 16"x20" print or larger, you may look at an 8 1/2"x 11" proof first to approve tone and color (after it remains with us as a match print for future orders). After you have approved the proof, we make your final print with extreme attention to detail. Digital preparation fee: First 15 minutes, no charge, extensive digital adjustments are $75 per hour.
Resolution of 360 ppi would be best, 8 or 16 bit, at the final size your image will be printed. If not possible, at least 100 ppi at final size is required for a good looking print.
RGB color mode for color prints - ProPhoto RGB Photoshop/Lightroom working color space.
Grayscale gamma 2.2 - Photoshop/Lightroom working color space for black and white prints.
If borders are required, please add to your image size, or let us know and we can do it for you.
Flatten any layers, no alpha channels.
Any file format Photoshop can read, we prefer .TIFF files.
If you can't prepare your own files, we can help you, just give us a call or include detailed instructions on the order form.
Our printers output 2880 dots per inch (DPI). DPI is not what images are, images are in pixels per inch (PPI). So if you have an image at 360 PPI the printer software/hardware will interpolate the printing to 2880 DPI. Images with higher than 360 PPI do not make a better print. Excess resolution will just get ignored by the printer process; it's all about the math.
That really depends on our workload/schedule. The number of pieces also determine turnaround time. We do offer drop-off and wait scan services for an additional fee of 100%, which must be scheduled in advance. For us to do the highest quality scans/digital capture, it takes time. Please plan accordingly.
Still River Editions can scan/digital capture flat artwork up to 60"x72" including but not limited to watercolor, pastel, mixed-media, pen, pencil, paint, charcoal, quilt and fiber art, collage, monoprint, etching, woodcut, linocut, letterpress, silkscreen, encaustic, and pretty much anything that is two-dimensional and has a limited reflectivity. Best to have work scanned/digital captured before any final heavy varnish is applied. We recommend artwork be removed from framing and matting before bringing to us. Artwork must be dry. We can scan through some glass and framed artwork, but it must be approved by us first.
Yes, and no. We do not use a conventional single camera setup, but we do create high-resolution digital images (scans/digital capture) from your flat artwork up to 60”x72”. We use our Cruse Scanner. Some slight dimensionality is ok, but we can't scan/digital capture sculptures or 3 dimensional art.
We accept data CDs, data DVDs, Compact Flash Cards, USB Sticks, Portable Hard Drives, and Smart Media Cards.
You can, if the file is not too big. Most mail servers, especially AOL, have limits on size of files that can be sent attached to an e-mail. A more reliable way is to use our easy upload webpage. Please contact us first for a code word to use. If you're having trouble, please call or email us and we'll walk you through it.
First we have a brief consultation with you to go over what you'd like us to retouch, and we'll give you an estimate on our services ($75 per hour with a 1/2 hour minimum plus scanning and printing costs). We scan/digital capture your original, and then work on it in Photoshop to repair the damage. Prints are priced at our normal prices. Store your originals in dry, dark places, in acid-free materials in order to minimize the progression of damage.
Yes we do touch ups on blemishes, wrinkles, power lines, bad lawns—you name it, we'll retouch it. Senior and other portraits, weddings, family photos, and your client's photos.
Yes, our facilities are fire/burglar protected and insured. All artwork is protected while stored here in a safe, dry location.
In order to make the best possible reproduction of your art, it is recommended to have us scan/digital capture your original. If you already have a professional-quality photograph (digital or film) of your artwork, we can work from it. If you still have your original it is best to bring it in along with the film in order to match colors.
Still River Editions offers mounting for prints on 3/16" Gatorfoam® up to 40"x60". We currently only offer mounting for prints made by Still River Editions (we can mount others, but if damages occur, Still River Editions will not be responsible). Our Gatorfoam® is black on the back and inside core. The back is coated with a coating to prevent moisture infiltration.
The ratio of the length to width of your image determines what size it can be enlarged or reduced to. If you want it a different size than what it works out to be, your image may have to be cropped. For some images, this is not a problem. For others, a compromise must be reached. To get a better idea of what size your image can be printed, go here to our print proportion calculator.
Turnaround time depends on the number of prints or scans requested and the degree of complication of a job. We are generally able to turn prints around in 3-4 days. If a proof is needed first, we generally have that ready in two days. If you need retouching, special image correction, or have a volume of work, it will add time to our turnaround.
Still River Editions will do our best to accommodate your deadlines. If you need especially quick turnaround times, a rush order fee of up to 100% might be applied, to be determined at the start of your job.
Yes we can. We ship via UPS, FEDEX, or US MAIL. Our current preferred shipping method is UPS Ground, which allows for easy tracking and insured for any damages. Please inspect the contents immediately, if any damage is caused by shipping we need to make a claim with the carrier within 10 working days. Shipping charges will be added to your job invoice unless you provide us with your valid shipper account number to be billed to. We can also ship direct to your client or any other address.
Yes we can. We ship via UPS, FEDEX, or US MAIL. Our current preferred shipping method is UPS Ground, which allows for easy tracking and insured for any damages. No invoice will be included in the packaging and we will send you the tracking number so you can follow your print(s) route and proof of delivery.
We accept all major credit cards, checks, cash, PayPal, Apple Pay, Google Pay, or pre-approved NET30 accounts.
We have an after hours drop slot located on our side shipping door to drop off negs, small artwork or prints, data CDs or data DVDs, thumb drives, etc. All items are safely inside our building after being deposited. The opening of the slot is 11”x1.5”. If you are picking something up, you have the option of us shipping to you. Not recommended if your order includes original artwork or photographs.
Yes, we have a dog friendly lobby area (we also have treats!).