Frequently Asked Questions

PAYMENT

Methods for paying for prints
Prints are sent with an invoice enclosed detailing methods for paying by cheque or bank transfer. ALL CHEQUES SHOULD BE MADE PAYABLE TO THE ARTWORK SERVICE LTD. Please contact The Giclee Service if you would like to arrange payment through Google Checkout or an alternative method.

POSTAGE AND PACKAGING

How long does it take for me to receive my prints?
The Giclee Service aims to have your prints in the post within 2-4 working days. Large print runs and jobs that require retouching may take longer.

How much does postage and packaging cost?
Depending on the size of the order, most prints are sent via Royal Mail First Class Recorded Delivery and costs £6 inc VAT. Large orders are priced on a per job basis and sent via insured special courier.

How are my prints packed?
Prints are carefully rolled and shipped in srtong postal tubes. Prints up to and including A3 can be sent flat packed upon request

FILE PREPARATION

How can I supply my files to The Giclee Service?
Dependent on the size of your files they can be emailed (up to 10MB) via details found on the contact page, uploaded via an FTP link (up to 2GB) or sent by post on CD/ DVD.

How should I prepare my files for printing?
The Giclee Service can work with most file formats, but for optimal quality your images should be saved at 300 dpi resolution in PSD or TIFF file format. If you have software which supports it, images should be edited and saved in the Adobe RGB colour space. Please avoid working and saving images in CMYK.

Can The Giclee Service prepare files for me?
Yes! The Giclee Service will do this for FREE if you require. Colour correction and file optimization within a colour managed workflow for the paper you choose is also done FREE of charge. The Giclee Service can work with most file formats, but the best format to provide if you have it is RAW data from your camera (this can be a variety of different file name extensions). Image manipulation beyond file preparation, optimization and colour correction is considered as retouching and chargeable at an hourly rate.

Hey I know what I’m doing!
If you have a good quality calibrated monitor and understand colour management workflows you may only require The Giclee Service to print your beautiful files. If so you can provide images in the ProPhoto RGB colour space at 16-bit to get the most from the colours the Epson 9900 can print. Please request the latest print profiles for each of the paper stocks so you can soft proof your files.

How big can you print my files?
This is a tricky one to answer! As a rule of thumb an image should be between 150 dpi and 300 dpi at actual size to be of good quality. However some images fair better than others, and viewing distance should also be factored into the equation. Simply scaling an image up in your photo editing software will not make it contain any more information, an image taken on your camera phone will never look good at A1. The Giclee Service will flag up any issues with image size and quality, but ultimately it is up to you if you want to print an A4 sized quality image at A2 or A1 – test strips may have to be agreed upon before printing goes ahead.

COLOUR CORRECTION AND OPTIMIZATION

Hey that banana was meant to be yellow and you have printed it orange!
This is a very basic way to understand colour management. If you are using an uncalibrated monitor and unmanaged workflow, chances are you have adjusted your image until the banana looks as you would expect – yellow. However when you send the image to a company that uses a calibrated monitor and colour managed workflow the banana may appear orange on screen and will then be printed orange. The Giclee Service will look at the file and determine if this is an error that should be fixed. See next paragraph!

Hey that banana was meant to be orange and you have printed it yellow!
The Giclee Service will not interfere with your creativity! Common sense and experience is used when looking at your files. If under calibrated conditions the image has a red/magenta over cast, then it is likely that the banana should be yellow, not orange. If there are any doubts then you will be contacted.

PAPER STOCK

What is the most suitable paper for my prints?
All of the papers are chosen for their versatility at reproducing both colour and black & white images. Ultimately it is a personal choice as to budget and the tactility you are after in your prints.

Can you print on other papers?
Yes. The Giclee Service can use different papers and canvases upon special request as long as they are compatible with Epson printers. Due to extra set up costs additional fees may be applicable.

Why do you recommend I use Canson papers?
Because they are a premium paper that provide excellent archivability and colour reproduction. Canson takes great care in providing the purest whites whilst favouring the use of natural pigments to whiten the paper, instead of OBA’s, so that the colour you actually see on the first day will still be the same in 50 years time. Other paper manufacturers make use of OBA’s to achieve their wide gamuts.

ARCHIVABILITY AND PRINT PERMANENCE

What are Optical Brightener Agents (OBA’s)?
OBA’s are chemical additives that are very often used to enhance the colours of paper, causing a whitening effect. The paper looks less yellow as the overall amount of light reflected to the eye is increased. Although the ISO 9706 does not take OBA’s into account, these additives are known to deteriorate in time. After being exposed to light for a certain period of time, OBA’s will lose their fluorescent properties, leaving the natural colour of the paper.

What is meant by archivability and print permanence?
Essentially this means how long your print will last under certain conditions. For optimum archivability prints should be stored in special albums in darkened rooms, obviously they are not going to receive much viewing pleasure there! For displaying your prints so that they can be enjoyed you should position them out of direct sunlight if possible, even the most lightfast prints and paintings will eventually fade in direct sunlight. Framing your prints under glass will also add to the longevity of your prints, especially if you use special UV protected glass.

How long will my archival prints last for?
Because digital imaging and printing is relatively new the Wilhelm Imaging Research, Inc. conducts accelerated light exposure and dark aging tests to determine the comparative life expectancy of inkjet and other digitally printed photographs. As the Epson 9900 is a new printer with a cutting edge ink system they have only conducted a preliminary print permanence test which can be found here.

How should I handle and store my prints?
When handling printed material the use of cotton gloves is highly recommended, you should not touch the printed surface with unprotected fingers. Do not rub sheets against each other as the surface is very susceptible to abrasion. Always place an acid free tissue paper between each print to avoid abrasion. To maximize the longevity of your prints, do not expose the paper to extreme temperatures or humidity as this could deteriorate the image quality. Avoid storing your prints in a room where paints, varnishes or liquids containing solvents are used. Last but not least, you must only use acid free, archive grade tape and glues when you need to mount or frame the paper. Other tapes will quickly leave yellow marks and the acidity will deteriorate the media.