A lithograph is printed from a plate with ink, giving sharp detail and rich color on paper. A giclee is a high-resolution print made with archival pigment inks on paper or canvas, capturing the color and texture of the original painting. Choose a lithograph for classic paper editions, and a giclee, especially on canvas, when you want a piece that reads like a painting.
Both formats fill our gallery walls, and side by side the difference is easy to see. Below is how each is made and how to choose. For canvas pieces, browse our collection of African American art on canvas.
Key takeaways
- Lithographs are plate printed, usually on paper, often in large editions.
- Giclees are archival pigment prints on paper or canvas, often in smaller editions.
- Giclees on canvas can be stretched and hung without glass.
- Both can be signed and numbered limited editions.
- Value depends on the edition, the artist and condition, not the process alone.
How a lithograph is made
Commercial art lithographs, usually called offset lithographs, are printed by transferring ink from a plate to paper, one color layer at a time. The process is ideal for larger editions because it is consistent and economical. Many well-loved Black art prints, from open editions to signed limited runs, are offset lithographs on quality paper.
How a giclee is made
Giclee (pronounced zhee-clay) prints are made by high-resolution inkjet printers using archival pigment inks. The printer lays down fine droplets, which allows smooth color transitions and close matching to the original painting. Because giclees can be printed on demand, editions are often small. Printed on canvas, a giclee can be stretched over bars like an original painting.
How they look on the wall
- Lithograph on paper: crisp detail, flat surface, framed behind glass with a mat.
- Giclee on paper: soft, accurate color, also framed behind glass.
- Giclee on canvas: visible canvas texture, no glass needed, often a floater frame.
Hand-embellished giclees
Some canvas giclees are hand embellished, meaning paint is added on top of each print so highlights and texture differ from piece to piece. Many of the Kevin "WAK" Williams canvases in our catalog are hand embellished in editions of 25. We explain this format in detail in our guide to hand-embellished giclees.
Which lasts longer?
Both last for decades when framed and hung properly. Archival pigment inks used in giclees are rated for long life under normal indoor light, and quality lithographs on acid-free paper hold up well too. The bigger factor is how you care for the piece: UV-filtering glass for paper, no direct sun for either.
Which should you buy?
- Choose a lithograph if you love the image, want a paper print for a matted frame and want the best value per image.
- Choose a giclee on paper if you want accurate color in a small edition.
- Choose a giclee on canvas if you want the look of a painting with no glass and a statement size.
Prefer paper? See our Black art prints collection, which lists the format on every piece.
Edition sizes: lithograph vs giclee
Offset lithographs are economical to print in larger runs, so editions of several hundred or more are common. Giclees can be printed in small batches as orders come in, which is why small editions such as 25 or 50 are common on canvas. Neither approach is better; the edition size simply tells you how scarce your piece is.
Framing each format
Paper prints, whether lithograph or giclee, are framed behind glass with a mat to keep the surface off the glazing. UV-filtering glass protects inks and paper. Canvas giclees are stretched over bars and either hung as is, with gallery-wrapped sides, or set in a floater frame that leaves a narrow gap around the edge.
Questions to ask before you buy
Ask what the substrate is (paper or canvas), whether the piece is signed by hand, the edition size, whether it is hand embellished and how it ships. Our listings state these details, and our team can show both formats side by side in the gallery.
Frequently asked questions
Is a giclee a real print or a copy?
A giclee is a print of an original painting, made with archival inks. Signed and numbered giclees are legitimate limited editions, just as lithographs are.
Are lithographs more valuable than giclees?
Neither process is automatically more valuable. The artist, edition size, signature, condition and demand set value.
Do giclees fade?
Archival pigment giclees resist fading under normal indoor light. Keep any print out of direct sun.
Compare them in person
See lithographs and canvas giclees side by side at our gallery on Level 2 of The Mall at Stonecrest, or shop African American art on canvas online.
