Fine Art Giclee Printing & Custom Framing — Cape Town’s Complete Service Since 1965

Most print studios print. Most framers frame. At The Frame & Art Factory, we do both — under one roof, in our Woodstock factory, with the same quality standards we have maintained since 1965. Whether you are an artist needing museum-quality giclee prints, a photographer wanting your work professionally framed, or a designer sourcing archival prints for a hospitality project — this is where it starts and ends.

What is Giclee Printing?

Giclee printing (pronounced zhee-CLAY) is a museum-quality inkjet printing process that uses archival pigment inks on fine art paper or canvas. The term comes from the French word for ‘to spray,’ referring to the precision ink-jet nozzles used in the process. Unlike standard digital printing, giclee uses a minimum of eight separate ink colours — including light cyan, light magenta, and multiple black densities — to reproduce colour gradations invisible to standard printers.

At The Frame & Art Factory, we produce giclee prints using the Epson SC-P9500, a professional large-format printer delivering colour accuracy within 1 Delta-E — the international standard for gallery and exhibition reproductions. All prints are produced on archival-grade fine art papers with a fade resistance rating of 100+ years under indoor conditions. The result is a print indistinguishable from the original artwork, trusted by galleries, artists, and collectors across South Africa.

Fine Art Papers & Materials

Every print begins with the right substrate. We offer a carefully selected range of archival papers and canvas, each suited to different artistic styles, reproduction requirements, and display environments.

Cotton Rag Fine Art Paper

Our most popular choice for fine art reproductions. Made from 100% cotton fibre with no acid or optical brighteners, cotton rag paper delivers exceptional colour depth, sharp detail, and a natural matte surface that closely resembles traditional watercolour paper. Ideal for paintings, illustrations, and photographic reproductions where longevity is paramount. Fade resistance: 200+ years.

Hahnemühle Photo Rag

A premium cotton rag paper with a smooth, ultra-fine surface texture. Widely regarded as the standard choice for fine art photography. Photo Rag produces rich blacks, smooth tonal gradations, and vivid colour reproduction — making it the preferred substrate for portrait photographers and documentary photographers alike.

Hahnemühle German Etching

A textured, matte fine art paper with the distinctive feel of traditional etching paper. The slight surface texture adds depth to artworks and is particularly suited to oil painting reproductions, watercolours, and printmaking-style artwork. Its warm undertone enhances earthen and natural colour palettes.

Fine Art Canvas

A 100% cotton canvas substrate for artists and interior designers who prefer the traditional look of a canvas print. Available as a flat print or professionally stretched and gallery-wrapped in our in-house workshop. Acid-free with archival pigment inks, suitable for display without glass.

Baryta Paper (Fibre-Based Photographic)

Modelled on traditional darkroom silver halide paper, Baryta delivers a semi-gloss finish with exceptional contrast and colour fidelity. The preferred choice for black-and-white photography, limited edition photographic prints, and collectors who want the aesthetic of a traditional darkroom print with the longevity of archival inkjet technology.

Print & Frame Under One Roof — Why It Matters

Most fine art printers and picture framers are separate businesses. Your print travels from a print studio to a framing shop, handled by multiple people, exposed to risk at every transfer point. Colour decisions made during printing are not communicated to the framer. The result is often a beautifully printed artwork let down by a frame choice that does not complement it.

At The Frame & Art Factory, printing and framing happen in the same building, managed by the same team. Our framers work alongside our print technicians. When your giclee print comes off the Epson SC-P9500, the framer can assess it immediately — matching the frame profile, mat board colour, and glass type to the specific tonal qualities of that print. No transfer risk. No communication gap. One result, precisely executed.

This integrated service is particularly valued by artists, photographers, and interior designers who require consistent, repeatable results across multiple pieces — for exhibitions, hospitality installations, or limited edition print runs.

Who We Print & Frame For

Artists & Photographers	Galleries & Collectors	Interior Designers & Hotels
We produce limited edition giclee prints, open editions, and exhibition-ready framed works for South African and international artists and photographers. We handle everything from colour profiling to final frame — one contact, one standard.	Museum-quality reproductions for gallery exhibitions, private collections, and art fairs. Archival materials, certificate of authenticity documentation, and consistent colour accuracy across entire editions.	Large-format giclee prints and custom-framed artwork for hospitality, residential, and commercial spaces. We supply, frame, and can coordinate installation for projects of any scale across South Africa.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the difference between giclee printing and regular digital printing?

A: Giclee printing uses professional-grade pigment inks — typically 8–12 separate colours — on archival fine art paper or canvas, producing colour accuracy, tonal depth, and a lifespan of 100–200 years. Standard digital printing uses 4-colour dye-based inks on commercial paper, with a typical fade resistance of 5–25 years. Giclee is the choice for artwork meant to last.

Q: What file format and resolution do I need to supply for giclee printing?

A: We recommend supplying files as high-resolution TIFF or JPEG in Adobe RGB or sRGB colour space, at a minimum of 150 DPI at the intended print size. For large-format prints above A0, we recommend 100 DPI minimum. We can advise on file preparation for your specific project — contact us before placing your order.

Q: Can you print and frame in one order?

A: Yes — and it is one of our most requested services. We print your artwork on the appropriate fine art substrate, then frame it in our in-house workshop using your chosen frame profile, mat board, and glass type. Everything happens in our Woodstock facility. You receive one finished, ready-to-hang piece. No separate suppliers, no handling risk.

Q: What print sizes do you offer?

A: We print from A4 to large-format sizes up to 1600mm wide using the Epson SC-P9500. For custom sizes outside standard dimensions, contact us with your requirements. Canvas stretching is available for prints intended for gallery wrapping. Framing is available in standard and custom sizes to suit any print dimension.

Q: How long does giclee printing take?

A: Standard turnaround for giclee printing is 3–5 working days. Combined print and frame orders typically require 5–7 working days depending on frame availability. Rush turnaround is available for select orders — contact us to discuss your deadline. We ship nationwide via courier with tracking, or you can collect from our Woodstock workshop.

Q: How long do giclee prints last?

A: When produced on archival cotton rag paper or canvas with genuine pigment inks and displayed away from direct sunlight, giclee prints have a rated fade resistance of 100–200 years under indoor conditions. This makes giclee the only printing technology considered suitable for gallery exhibitions, museum collections, and limited edition art prints.

Q: Can you reproduce original oil paintings, watercolours, or drawings?

A: Yes. We regularly produce high-fidelity reproductions of original paintings, drawings, and mixed media works for artists and collectors. For the best results, we recommend supplying a high-resolution scan or photograph of the original. We can advise on colour profiling to ensure the reproduction matches the original as closely as possible.

Q: Do you ship giclee prints and framed artwork nationwide?

A: Yes. We ship throughout South Africa using specialist art courier services with secure packaging designed for framed artwork and fine art prints. We also export internationally for select orders. All shipments are tracked. Framed artwork is packaged in custom-cut foam and double-boxed to ensure safe delivery.