Resources & Support

Have you ever had a question and either didn't know where to find the answer or were too afraid to ask? If so, you've come to the right place.

As the name would suggest, this section is a compilation of answers to the questions our clients commonly ask. Just start by following one of the links below.

1. What is Giclee, And Why Is It The Next Best Thing to Owning the Original?
2. How does a Giclee differ from a traditional print (a lithograph)?
3. I have heard that reproductions fade over time, what about Giclee?
4. How long does it take for you to complete my order?
5. What is a "proof"?
6. Why do I need to look at a proof if I've already given you everything I need to have done?
7. Do I still need to approve a proof if I bring my work in on disk?
8. How do I go about getting an estimate from you?

1. What is Giclee, And Why Is It The Next Best Thing to Owning the Original?
   Giclée (zhee-clay) is an advanced printmaking process for creating high quality fine art reproductions. The attainable quality that Giclée printmaking affords makes the reproduction virtually indistinguishable from the original artwork. The result is wide acceptance of high quality Giclées by galleries, museums, and private collectors.
   
   
2. How does a Giclee differ from a traditional print (a lithograph)?
   Giclée printmaking derives its quality from its seemingly “dotless” imaging technology which contrasts with traditional fine art prints which typically rely on printing screen pattern dots to reproduce full-range color. Because traditional offset printing dot patterns are detectable to the unaided eye, it is less desirable than Giclée fine art prints for fine art reproduction. Traditional offset prints are typically restricted to papers that widely vary from what the original artwork was created on — especially when reproducing oil on canvas. The Giclée process enables reproduction on virtually the same media as the original artwork whether it is on canvas, textured watercolor paper, or specialty fine art papers. The result is a reproduction that is virtually indistinguishable from the original artwork.
   
   
3. I have heard that reproductions fade over time, what about Giclee?
   Museum-quality Giclée reproductions are recognized as "the next best thing” to owning the original and can be found in the world's finest museums and art galleries. Based on independent research and testing, there are various image permanence ratings for each combination of ink and media used in Giclée printmaking. Wilhelm Imaging Research's image permanence ratings have been provided to the public about expected display-life for various ink and media combinations used in Giclée printmaking today. Our Giclée reproductions offer an image stability rating of greater than 80 years* due to the archival-grade pigment inks and acid-free media we exclusively use at Skylark Images.
   
   
4. How long does it take for you to complete my order?
   We do our best to accommodate our clients needs, especially when it comes to quick turnarounds, but for jobs that don't require rush, please conservatively allow 10-14 days for the full scan & proof process. During this time we will call you to come to our studio or mail a proof to you. After the proof is approved, the print order will be ready for shipment in approximately 3-5 days. Turnaround time for any given order is based on the volume of prints required. Most often reprint orders also take 3-5 days, granted there are no adjustments or variations to be applied to your images.
   
   
5. What is a "proof"?
   A proof is a way of ensuring that we have adjusted your color accurately and that everything is cropped and positioned according to your requirements. Typically, we will produce a proof on the paper or canvas that will be used on your final print. This proof will be sent to you online or printed on your chosen substrate, which can be viewed in our studio or delivered to you by mail.
   
   
   
6. Why do I need to look at a proof if I've already given you everything I need to have done?
   Your approval on the final proof is assurance that you have looked over every aspect of our work and approve it as accurate. It benefits everyone if errors are caught in the proofing process rather than after the job is completed and delivered.
   
   
7. Do I still need to approve a proof if I bring my work in on disk?
   As we've already mentioned, proofing your jobs will take a lot of guesswork out of the process of printing your images. For those who prefer to do their own image adjustments, we have provided our ICC printer profiles for downloading. These profiles will provide you with the means to "prefight " your images for printing at Skylark. They can be used for soft proofing and accurate file conversion.
   
   
8. How do I go about getting an estimate from you?
   Well, since you are here, we would suggest you use our online estimate request form. Otherwise, the best way to ensure that we get all the information necessary to do an accurate quote, give us a call.