Fine Art Paper & Archival Giclée Printing, Explained
If you've looked into getting your art or photography printed, you've met the jargon: giclée, archival, museum quality, fine art paper. Here's what each one actually means.
What is giclée printing?
Giclée (pronounced zhee-clay) is high-resolution inkjet printing using pigment inks rather than dye. Pigment sits on the paper as fine, light-stable particles, so colours stay accurate and resist fading far longer than a standard photo-lab or office print.
What does ‘archival’ mean?
Archival refers to longevity. An archival print pairs pigment inks with acid-free, lignin-free fine art paper so it won't yellow, fade or degrade for decades — the standard galleries and collectors expect. You'll often see this quoted as a lightfastness rating (many quality papers are rated to last 80+ years under normal display).
What is ‘museum quality’?
It's an informal term for prints made to archival standards: pigment inks, acid-free fine art media, accurate colour management. There's no single certifying body, so it's the materials and process that matter — not the label.
Why fine art paper makes the difference
Fine art papers are heavier and more textured than standard photo paper, with a surface that holds ink crisply and gives prints depth and a tactile, gallery feel. Acid-free construction is what makes them archival.
What we use
Every Print Frame Co print is produced on premium archival fine-art paper with pigment giclée inks — fade-resistant, colour-accurate, made to last. Upload any photo, painting or digital file and we print it to order at the size you choose.