What Is Baryta Paper?
Baryta Giclée papers were developed to replicate the traditional manufacture of analogue darkroom papers, including a barium sulphate layer incorporated into the coating – this coating provides excellent black density (dmax), contrast and quality and was first used to primarily print B&W digital images to mimic darkroom prints. It’s funny how times change as barium sulphate is no longer used in many analogue darkroom papers!
You may want to use the Baryta range of papers for your Giclée printing as they are the perfect choice to enhance the detail and definition of images. You get the added benefit of extended tonal range and excellent archival properties and it is particularly suited to images that require high contrast and wide colour gamut. The heavy weight (325gsm) also reinforces the high quality character of this product, providing the look and feel of an analogue darkroom print.
As with all Giclée papers we recommend care when handling and to print with a border if possible as the emulsion is quite sensitive. At Metro Imaging we offer Baryta Giclée prints up to 84×60” (2133x1524mm).
At Vogue and National Portrait Gallery we can say, without any question, how much we appreciate the quality of the work and service provided by Metro.
— Robin Muir, Vogue 100
Our range of Giclee Papers
Hahnemühle German Etching 310gsm
This velvety heavyweight etching paper has a fine surface texture. German Etching is one of the most popular media for artwork and photography. The paper has a textured surface that still allows high quality printing. Find out more
Hahnemühle Photo Rag 308gsm
This is one of Hahnemühle’s genuine artist papers, mould made, 100% acid free paper with an exceptionally smooth surface. Photo Rag is the most popular paper chosen by photographers to create high quality fine art prints. Find out more
Hahnemühle Fine Art Baryta 325gsm
Fine Art Baryta is a bright white paper with exceptionally high colour depth. Using barium sulphate in the coating makes this paper a close match to traditional photographic Fibre Based papers. Find out more
Somerset Photo Satin 300gsm
This paper made from 100% cotton linters, has a high whiteness value that contains a high percentage of alpha cellulose. The paper is made on a mould machine using woollen felts which impart a delicate texture to the surface. Find out more
Somerset Enhanced 255gsm
This is a beautiful paper and is ideal for fine art reproduction and photography. Made from 100% cotton fibre using a traditional mould machine this paper has an invisible coating on one side allowing the creation of superb prints with a wide colour gamut. Find out more
Canson Photo High Gloss Premium 315gsm
This ultra-white photo paper consists of an ultra-smooth, alpha-cellulose, acid-free paper coated with polyethylene and multiple micro porous colour receiver layers. Find out more
Canson Infinity Photosatin Premium 270gsm
PhotoSatin Premium Resin Coated consists of an alpha cellulose acid-free art paper coated with a structured polyethylene and a micro porous receiver layer. Find out more
Canvas
We print directly onto high quality heavy weight real artist cotton canvas, achieving high quality vibrant canvas prints from your images. Find out moreWhat is a Giclée print?
The word Giclée (“g-clay”), is derived from the French verb gicler meaning “to squirt or spray”, Giclée, is used to describe a fine art digital printing process combining pigment based inks with high-quality archival quality paper to achieve an inkjet print of superior archival quality, light fastness and stability. Our prints are created using an Epson 9880 with Epson Ultrachrome K3 inks, which with the 8 channel print head is capable of producing an extremely wide tonal range and colour gamut.
Metro’s Giclée printing offers both a softness and richness of colour and our operators will ensure the print represents the artist’s original work in the closest possible way by working with the client and producing a test print as part of the service.
The process involves squirting or spraying microscopic dots of pigment-based ink onto high-quality art paper or canvas. The image is colour corrected to attain the closest possible match to the original work if required. The digital information is fine-tuned to the type of paper or surface on which the image is to be printed, further ensuring fidelity to the original.
Giclées are printed on a variety of substrates or mediums, the most common being watercolour paper or canvas. Image permanence is a concern to artists and collectors. Estimates are based on laboratory simulations of ageing to give a fade &colour shift resistance of up to 200 years in ideal conditions, tests developed and conducted by Epson.
Reproducing prints this way can be of an advantage to artists who find it unfeasible to mass-produce their work, but need to reproduce their work on demand. Once we make the master print and archive the digital master file, we can produce identical edition prints at any point in the future.
C Type vs Giclée prints
C Type prints and Giclée prints are two very different printing processes, one is a digital photographic print and the other is an inkjet print. A digital C Type is a traditional photographic print, made from a digital file rather than a negative. Many customers think that a ‘digital print’ has to be a Giclée print but this is not so. A Giclée print is quite different, using no chemistry or light sensitivity.
PLEASE NOTE we do not trim Giclée prints above 44” along the longest length to keep the print as untouched as possible unless specifically requested.
Bespoke or Self-Service
Bespoke is our classic service, you sit back and we do the work. Either send us your files online via Dropbox or email, or pop in and see us in the lab and we'll work on a one to one basis with you.
Self-Service is our great value online DIY printing, mounting and framing solution. If you feel confident in preparing your own files for print, then simply upload your images and follow the simple steps to make your top quality prints.
Turnaround times
Giclee prints to paper or canvas, Bespoke and Self-Service: Three working days. Giclee prints to Stretched canvas: Ten working days.
PLEASE NOTE we do not trim Giclée prints above 44” along the longest length to keep the print as untouched as possible unless specifically requested.
