The Posters Photography Print vs Posters – Differences Explained

The Posters Photography Print v/s Mass Printed Posters – The Differences Explained

What is the difference between a poster sold in poster shops, Flipkart or Amazon and a fine art Giclee print offered by Posters Photography?

This is a commonly asked question and for those not actively involved in creating, collecting or studying art it may be confusing. However, it is important to understand the differences as they affect the quality, printing materials, colour reproduction and longevity,

This article will discuss the differences between the two and help you understand that the Giclee prints offered at Posters Photography are the better one and right for you.

Eco Friendly Prints

The archival paper / non archival art paper / canvas used at Posters Photography are all eco-friendly as against the synthetic (polyester) quick fix sticker and other non-tear cheap priced prints at Amazon and Flipkart.

Fine Art Archival Giclee Prints

Archival Paper (as the name suggests is long lasting) and lasts about 100 years or longer as against Art Paper which lasts about 10 years.

All prints (archival/non-archival/canvas) at Posters Photography are Fine Art Giclees. Fine art Giclee prints are quality reproductions of images and paintings that are produced using a rag and hemp based archival museum quality paper, art paper or canvas each.  All prints at Posters Photography are printed individually by the Giclee Process. Posters, on the other hand, are mass printed by offset printing in commercial printing presses, low-cost methods and low-quality materials, and are intended to be disposable with a short lifespan. As against this, Giclee prints have a lifespan of almost 100 years.

Production Methods

Fine art prints are produced using pigment based photographic machines such giclee printers that use a high-resolution print head, producing images with extremely high resolution in which colors and tones seamlessly transition. This is the current pinnacle of physical print production. Posters use ink-based printers meant for mass production. As such, the printing is completed much faster than fine art prints and is of a lower, less detailed resolution.

Intended Lifetime

Fine art giclee prints on archival paper/canvas often have a 100 year lifespan or longer. Colours and contrast should last a lifetime, providing they are not displayed in direct sunlight. Posters often fade after only a few years, even when not in direct sunlight. This is due to the low quality inks used that are susceptible to UV radiation and air contaminants. Additionally, the thin paper used for posters often curls and ripples with humidity exposure, even when framed.

 

 

Superior Display of the Giclees

Perhaps the most significant difference between posters and fine art giclee prints is how they appear to  the human eye or are are displayed. Fine art prints either require framing or must be face mounted to clear acrylic. High-end framing consists of a wood, vinyl or metal frame, a precision-cut mat and clear glass or acrylic to protect the print. The prints are framed and matted for a beautiful luxury fine art presentation.

Mass printed posters offered at Amazon or Flipkart are generally considered to be disposable and temporary. With that in mind many people will pin, or stick them to a wall or use a slide hanger.  Even if they are framed, they tend to curl and ripple with humidity exposure.

Price

Fine art giclee prints as they are individually printed with high quality pigment inks or archival museum quality paper are considerably more expensive than mass printed posters due to the fine quality materials and individual production methods used. Preparation of files for giclee printing takes significant mastering, including sharpening, luminosity adjustments, contrast adjustments and creating test prints. The papers used are chemically reactive or inkjet printable, both of which are costly.  Posters are relatively very low in price and are made with low-cost materials.

Should You Purchase a Poster at Amazon or a Fine Art Print at Posters Photography?

It is entirely up to you, but we recommend giclees at Posters Photography as they are long lasting, have a wow factor, and have deep true colour reproduction of the original image/art with seamless reproduction of all in between hues and shades

Fine art prints at Posters Photography are all individually printed giclee prints, intended to be displayed with quality frames. They are long lasting, offer significant “wow-factor” and are the ultimate in physical image reproduction.

300gms Fine Art Prints at Posters Photography are also individually printed from the same carefully prepared final images, individually buy are not giclees.  However they are far superior in true image reproduction than posters printed on offset machines at printing presses

Posters offered at Amazon or Flipkart  are usually intended as a temporary display to suit certain needs. Collectors of memorabilia from feature films, sports enthusiasts and those interested in other non-fine art subjects frequently purchase posters. Subjects such as landscapes, city scenes, abstract art and painting reproductions are sometimes found in poster format, but again these do not offer the wow factor, true colours or the scene reproduction as in fine art giclees.

What is Art – Posters or Giclees?

Art is subjective and is not reliant on the print medium to be categorized as art. However, a fine art Giclee is truly art as it reproduces the exact colours and mood of the original scene and definitely has a “wow” factor. They are better than posters in every way and worth the extra money!

Giclees at Posters Photography

At Posters Photography all our prints are individually printed Giclees which will last a 100 years. We have a wide range of subjects from flowers, birds, animals, scenic landscapes, Hindu Gods & Cosmos, sunrises and sunsets, black and whites and creative monotones, an exhaustive section on India,  Europe, North and South America, Central Asia, and Australia New Zealand   So get your fine art Giclee here. Tap/click the bold words to open the relevant pages in our website and shop! Get 30% off with code “JAN23”(valid all of January 2023) at checkout, and 20% cashback credited to your wallet for your next purchase!

 Conclusion

Although fine art giclee prints and posters have many differences, there is no right or wrong answer regarding which is best for you. That being said, the high quality giclee fine art prints offered at Posters Photography are extremely impressive and a statement piece for any room at home or in the workplace. So given a choice, you should buy a fine art Giclee.