Unique Prints and Giclée Prints: What's the Difference?

Unique Prints: Original Art Created by Hand

An original print isn't a reproduction of a painting. The print itself is the original artwork, created through a traditional printmaking process that begins with a hand-carved block.

At Turner Fine Art, we're proud to represent artists working in two different printmaking traditions. Monique Wales creates linocut relief prints by carving her designs into linoleum, then inking and hand-printing each piece.

Millie Whipplesmith Plank creates woodcuts, carving directly into wood to produce prints rich with texture and character. While each artist uses a different material, both rely on the same careful, hands-on process of carving, inking, and pulling every print by hand.

Because each print is made directly from the artist's carved block, every edition is an original work of art—not a digital copy. The slight variations from one impression to the next are part of what make hand-pulled prints so special. They reflect the artist's hand and the printmaking process itself, giving each piece its own unique presence.

Giclée Prints: Reproducing an Original Painting

While original prints are created through the printmaking process itself, a giclée is a high-quality reproduction of an original painting. Using archival pigment inks on fine art paper or canvas, giclées are made to capture the color, detail, and character of the original work with remarkable accuracy.

At Turner Fine Art, our giclées allow collectors to enjoy favorite paintings by artists such as Kathryn Mapes Turner and Gunnar Tryggmo in a more accessible format. Many are offered as limited editions and are signed by the artist, making them a wonderful way to bring a beloved image into your home. Though they are reproductions, they are produced to museum-quality standards and honor the beauty and spirit of the original painting.

Whether you're drawn to an original hand-pulled print or a museum-quality giclée, each offers a different way to collect art. Original prints celebrate the printmaking process itself, while giclées make it possible to enjoy a favorite painting in a beautifully reproduced form. Both are created with care, craftsmanship, and the hope that they will be enjoyed for years to come.