The Abbot Art Standard: Canon Lucia Pro 12-Color Pigment Dispersion System.
In This Technical Guide
- Dye vs. Pigment: Why "bright" dye inks fade in 5 years, while pigments last 100+.
- The 12-Color Advantage: How we hit colors standard 4-color printers can't reach.
- The "Bronzing" Fix: The role of Chroma Optimizer in our process.
- Actionable: How to test your current prints for archival quality.
Brightness is Easy. Longevity is Science.
Many print shops sell "Giclee" prints that are simply high-quality inkjet prints using dye-based inks. While dye inks look vibrant initially, they are chemically unstable. UV light breaks down the dye molecules rapidly, leading to color shifts within a few years.
At Abbot Art, we adhere to the strict Museum-Quality Giclee standard. This mandates the use of Pigment Inks—microscopic solid particles suspended in liquid. Unlike dye, pigment does not dissolve; it bonds to the paper fiber, creating a print rated for 100-200 years of stability.
The Abbot Standard vs. Commercial Printing
| Feature | Standard Dye Inkjet | Abbot Art Pigment Giclee |
|---|---|---|
| Ink Technology | Liquid Dye (Fades) | Canon Lucia Pro Pigment (Archival) |
| Color Channels | 4 (CMYK) | 12 (Wide Gamut + Grays) |
| Black Density (D-Max) | Weak / Dark Grey | Deep Rich Black (Optimized) |
The 12-Color "Lucia Pro" Difference
Standard printers struggle with nuance. They cannot easily differentiate between "dark gray" and "black," or capture the subtle skin tones in a portrait. We utilize the Canon Lucia Pro 12-Color chipset. By adding dedicated Red, Blue, Photo Gray, and Matte Black channels, we expand the "Gamut" (the total range of printable colors) significantly.
Insider Note on "Bronzing": Have you ever looked at a black-and-white print from an angle and seen a weird, metallic bronze glare? That is "bronzing," caused by ink sitting on top of the paper. Our system applies a clear Chroma Optimizer coat between ink droplets, smoothing the surface reflection for a true, deep black from any angle.
What is the difference between Dye and Pigment ink?
Can you print Giclees on canvas?
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Stop settling for 4-color prints. Experience the depth of 12-color pigment dispersion.
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