FAQs

What is a Giclée Print?

Giclée Printing is a print method that takes a digital image of original artwork and recreates it using a 12 colour inkjet printer. The term "giclée" is derived from the French for "spray" and was first coined by Jack Duganne. Giclée printing provides a superior quality print, due to the pigment inks used, which can be lightfast for up to 100+ years. Digital prints are prone to fading in sunlight, but giclée prints offer a superior quality and longevity!

 

What paper do you use?

All my Giclée prints are printed on 255gsm weight cotton velvet paper. It is a fine art paper made with natural cotton in Somerset, England at a truly special mill that has been traditionally milling paper since the 1700s! Thats over 300 years old! 300!! They have have one of the few remaining cylinder mould machines used to make this kind of paper, left in the world!

Paper making requires water, the mill is situated next to the River Axe, which is naturally filtered and used by the mill for the paper making process.

Surrounded by wildlife, the mill sits alongside heron, deer, badgers, kingfishers, trout, and many more! Great care is taken to ensure the production process doesn’t impact negatively on the environment.

The pulp for the paper comes from sustainable sources and the cotton linters are a by-product of the textile industry. It is the fibre left on the cotton seed after the cotton fluff has been harvested. Adding cotton to the paper, gives a softer more absorbent finish that’s perfect for the giclée inks!

And finally, the mill recruits locally and ensures that these traditional paper making skills are kept alive! All the paper is checked by hand to ensure the quality is excellent. Britain has a rich history of manufacturing and craft, and I’m really passionate about supporting and working with British manufactures, to keep these businesses alive!

 

Sustainability

This is a term frequently used these days, but can vary a lot from brand to brand in what it really means for the product you are purchasing. Here's what it means for me and my products-I've made every effort to source materials and work with suppliers that are UK based, this supports local industry and cuts down on unnecessary shipping (lower carbon footprint).

I print on a made-to-order basis, which means there's no waste as I only print whant people want! Occasionally I will offer sample prices on sample artwork, to ensure that nothing goes to waste!

Due to the quality and nature of Giclée as a long-lasting print method, I hope that my prints will be on display in people's homes for years to come! I use paper packaging where possible, and when it's not an option I choose recyclable or biodegradable alternatives. See the section above for environmental info on the beautiful cotton velvet paper I use.

 

How do I frame my print?

Most of my prints are designed to be framed without a mount, though of course, this is your preference!

I recommend the Nielsen Alpha range of frames, which are top quality wooden-covered steel. They have a slim, deep, unobtrusive frame, designed to let the artwork stand out! In a range of wood shades as well as white and black, they are the perfect finish. A great British supplier of these quality German frames is Unique Arts Ltd, where you can order online from their website, in all the print sizes that I offer on my website.

 

How will my print arrive?

All pieces are carefully wrapped in recyclable tissue paper, I treat every package as a gift!

All prints sized A4 or smaller will be shipped flat in a rigid envelope. Larger prints (30x30cm and larger) will be shipped rolled in a postal tube to ensure safe arrival. All packaging is paper-based, with the exception of the plastic end caps on the postal tubes, which are essential to your print arriving safely. 

 

What does made-to-order mean?

As a small business, I've worked hard to find the most cost-efficient and environmentally friendly way to sell my prints. To avoid wastage and to be able to offer the custom colour options you will find on some prints, I print many artworks on demand. This means there is no unnecessary paper being used and you will have a beautiful freshly printed print! No disastrous waste that is terrible for our precious planet!

 

I have a gift emergency-can you help?

I occasionally have stock of a select few designs. I know that sometimes there are last-minute gift emergencies, if you desperately need your order asap, please do get in touch on info@sarahgoodwindesign.com and I will do my very best to help where I can!

 

Do you ship internationally?

Yes, all orders shipped outside of the UK are subject to customs and tax charges. These are the responsibility of the receiver, to avoid any surprises please do check your local regulations before ordering. See the Shipping and Returns section for more information.

 

Can I send my order as a gift straight to the receiver?

Yes, I wrap every order beautifully, so that it's gift-ready. I can include a hand-written note if requested. If you are sending a gift, please enter a note at the checkout and I will handwrite your gift message and add it to the package!

 

Returns