Frequently Asked Questions

What Is An Archival Print?

The archival qualities of a print depend on many factors. Primarily it is the combination of media and medium (ink and paper) that lays the foundation of the permanence of the print. Finally other factors must be taken into account, such as the matting, framing, and environment the print is displayed in. While the museum standard to qualify a print as "archival" is 75 years, state-of-the-art printing processes have raised the bar. Through research and testing of these new processes we are now able to quantify archival ratings of over 200 years. The Archives state-of-the-art "Giclee" fine art prints are printed on only the highest quality mediums. All of our in house prints are scientifically rated to last at least 200 years. See Wilhelm Imaging Research to learn more about The Archives print permanence ratings. The Archives uses the highest quality state-of-the-art digital fine art papers from Innova Arts.

What is Giclee?

The term Gicl�e essentially refers to the process of high quality inkjet printing. Gicl�e (pronounced Gee-Clay) is a French phrase originally coined in the 17th Century meaning "to squirt or spurt." It refers to a printing technique brought about by a machine called the Iris. In many circles the two words are used synonymously to refer to this printing process. The process requires that the substrate, such as paper or canvas, is carefully attached to a spinning drum while infinitely small droplets of archival inks are sprayed at a very high speed. This renders an amazingly smooth and consistent image - a Museum Quality Fine Art Reproduction. The Gicl�e process allows the artist to have substantial control over the range of color and the quality of the print.

Does The Archives Use Other Printing Processes?

Yes, before we created our in house printing department, we worked in concert with outside printing companies to bring prints of our image collections to the public, however all of our newly released print collections are now printed in house. Here is a breakdown of the other printing processes we used in the past: 'A.C.T.' (Advanced Continuous Tone) Printing Process
The Archives worked in conjunction with Black Box Collotype of Chicago in the 1990's to release limited and numbered editions of our fine art and historical photography collection. Black Box was highly respected throughout the industry as a fine arts printer with the highest standards. These prints are printed on 100% archival rag paper ranging between 100-180lb. A.C.T. (Advanced Continuous Tone) allows the image to go directly from a digital source to an advanced flatbed printer, which applies permanent dyes and inks to paper without a screen, thus creating an actual continuous tone ink-on-paper archival print. With A.C.T., the fine grain pattern is applied to the film as it is scanned and separated, creating a resolution of 650 line "grain". Using principles of extended range and extended gamut the prints are printed with more than the usual 'four color process' hues. This variety of process colour allows the printing of up to 25,000 colors. Five (5) times more than the number of reproducible colors using the conventional four color process. This method also gives more control over the highlights without effecting the shadows, and a greater shadow range without effecting the highlight detail. The Archives Store still has a small inventory of these A.C.T. prints available here.
Nash Editions
The Archives worked in concert with Nash Edition in the 1990's to release limited editions of our fine art and historical photography collection. We no longer sell any prints created by Nash Editions although we do maintain a close relationship with the company. Mac Holbert, the printing master at Nash Editions, was Joshua Greene's, The Archives Founder and President, teacher and mentor in digital fine art printing.

What type of Paper does The Archives use?

The Archives currently uses Innova Arts 315 GSM Smooth Cotton High White Paper for in-house Limited Edition publishing, gallery and museum exhibitions, and custom prints. Innova Arts Innova Arts' rich combination of experience and excellent craftsmanship has allowed them to develop an exceptional line of first class Fine Art, and Graphic Art papers. Innova Arts' has further developed a wide range of special Digital Fine Art papers - aimed primarily at the (Giclee) and Limited Edition print reproduction markets. Innova Arts' newest Digital Fine Art media gives images the unquestionable look and feel of the original, completely unachievable with non-coated paper, or standard matt coated papers for inkjet printing. The Archives Limited Edition collections are printed on Innova Arts 315 GSM Smooth Cotton High White Paper. Innova Arts Fine Art Paper Innova Arts' history of innovation helped them to create digital fine art papers and canvas that capture the look and feel of original photographs and hand-painted art. The Archives Art Print collections are printed on Innova Arts 285 GSM FibaPrint Ultra Smooth Gloss Paper.

What is the Certificate of Authenticity?

Each Limited Edition print from The Archives includes a Certificate of Authenticity. Your certificate is an official record that verifies the authenticity of the print. Each Certificate of Authenticity contains the name of the image, the edition number and size, a brief description of the printing process, a brief history of the image, and background information about The Archives. Some of our Art Print and Numbered Edition collections also include a Certificate of Authenticity. While not as in depth as the Limited Edition Certificate it does verify the authenticity of the image and the publisher.

What is the advantage of buying a print from The Archives?

The Archives Store is the exclusive provider of Rare Retro Celebrity & Fashion Collectibles from our archives of over 1,000,000 vintage images. The Archives digitally re-mastered prints are created using an exclusive archival printing process. Imagine owning a print that has been scientifically proven to last for 200 years! The Archives clients include Bradford Exchange, Cartal, Franklin Mint, Graphique De France, Inter Stat, Karactermania, Pyramid International, Santex, Station Bay, Trend Setters Ltd, Trevco, Wizard and Genius, Zed (formerly "9 Squared") and much, much more ... The Archives' unique image collections and printing process provide the foundation for us to offer desirable and everlasting work created by renowned artists and photographers, focusing primarily on the subjects of celebrity, fashion & home decor. The Archives commitment to steadfast quality imaging gives you the opportunity to purchase eternal images that will last you a lifetime and beyond.

info@thearchivesstore.com

Join The List...