Our Purpose
Fine Ink Print™ exists to define, document, and advocate for what makes an inkjet print truly fine. We publish plain-English standards, promote ethical edition practices, and help collectors, artists, and printmakers navigate materials and methods that stand the test of time.
What Is a Fine Ink Print?
Short answer: A Fine Ink Print is a pigment-based print made on archival-grade media under color-managed conditions, with transparent disclosure of materials and methods, created for long-term display or collection.
Core Criteria (At-a-Glance)
- Pigment inks (not dye); cite lightfastness / gas-fade test data where available.
- Archival media (cotton rag or high-grade alpha-cellulose); disclose OBA usage.
- Color management via ICC profiles in a calibrated workflow; note rendering intent and soft-proofing.
- Edition ethics: declared edition size, reprint/variant policy, certificate/marking details.
- Stewardship guidance: framing, UV exposure, humidity, handling—so the print lasts.
Why It Matters
Terms like “giclée” became popular but imprecise. Materials, process, and disclosure—not marketing—make a print worthy of collection. Our goal is to replace fuzzy labels with verifiable facts you can trust.
How We Work
- Documentation first: we publish definitions, glossaries, and stewardship guides anyone can use.
- Evidence over hype: we prefer third-party permanence testing and reproducible workflows.
- Artist- and collector-friendly: clear edition policies, transparent reprint rules, honest COAs.
- Education: we share practical checklists to evaluate prints before you buy—or edition before you sell.
The Marketplace Connection
When you’re ready to buy or sell, visit our sister site, FineInk Prints™ Gallery & Marketplace—The Place to Buy & Sell Museum Quality Fine Ink Prints. There, listings are encouraged to disclose inks, media, ICC workflow notes, and edition details—so the standards you read here carry through to purchasing decisions.
Timeline Highlights
- Early 1990s: Fine-art use of large-format inkjet proofers grows; “giclée” gains popularity.
- 2000s: Pigment inks go mainstream; third-party permanence testing and ICC workflows mature.
- 2010s–2020s: Archival substrates proliferate; collectors expect disclosure and edition ethics.
- Now: Verifiable materials/methods define what we call a Fine Ink Print.
What You’ll Find Here
Definition & Standards
Our evolving reference on inks, papers, OBAs, ICC workflows, and edition ethics.
Guides & Checklists
Printer-agnostic checklists for vetting materials, methods, and handling for longevity.
History & Context
From proofers to pigment era—how standards emerged and why words like “giclée” need context.
Edition Ethics (Our Position)
- Declare edition size and reprint/variant policy up front.
- Mark every print consistently (signature, date, numbering convention).
- Issue a COA that restates materials, methods, and stewardship guidance.
Get Involved
Are you an artist, printmaker, conservator, or collector with testing data, lab results, or process notes to share? We welcome contributions that improve clarity for the whole community.
Next step: Explore the Fine Ink Print definition, scan the collector & edition checklists, then visit FineInk Prints™ Gallery & Marketplace to see standards in action.