Giclée vs Canvas vs Metal Prints Explained

Michael Godard's limited editions are offered on three materials: canvas, paper and metal. Each material gives the same image a different look, feel and price point, and the materials available differ from artwork to artwork. Here's how to tell them apart and where to find what is offered for a specific piece.

What Is a Giclée?

Giclée (pronounced "zhee-clay") is a fine-art inkjet printing process used to reproduce color and fine detail with high accuracy, and it is the term Michael Godard Gallery uses for its limited edition prints. The material a print is produced on, canvas, paper or metal, is listed on each product page.

Canvas

Canvas editions are printed on canvas, giving the piece the texture of a painted work. Most of the catalog is offered on canvas, including the Artist Proof, Gallery Proof, Signed and Numbered, and G editions on many titles. Canvas is also the material for the larger Mural and Mosaic Mural editions and other special canvas editions on select titles, such as the 48" x 72" Mural edition of Calvary. Canvas suits collectors who want a classic gallery look that pairs naturally with traditional framing.

Paper

Some titles are offered as paper editions. For example, $100 Bill with Dice is listed as a 30" x 60" Paper Edition of 495, Marlin Martini and The Key to Wine are listed as 30" x 38" Paper Editions of 495, and some paper listings are offered with or without a sketch. Paper editions have a flatter, print-like surface than canvas. Check the product page for the sizes, options and pricing of each paper edition.

Metal

Metal editions present the image on a metal surface, with a glossy, contemporary look that many collectors describe as vivid. Metal is a material, not a single edition: the catalog lists metal versions of G, Signed and Numbered, Artist Proof, Gallery Proof and Mural editions on some titles, each with its own price. Edition quantities are shown where confirmed. If a quantity is not listed for a particular metal edition, contact the gallery for confirmation. Edition quantities for metal vary by title and edition, so do not assume a metal edition is larger or smaller than the canvas edition of the same image.

Canvas vs. Paper vs. Metal: Which Should You Choose?

If you want a traditional fine-art look with texture, or a large Mural statement piece, canvas is the usual choice and the format most editions are listed in. If a title you love is offered on paper, compare the paper edition's size and price on its product page. If you prefer a glossy, modern look, choose a title that is offered on metal and compare the specific metal edition's size, price and, where listed, quantity with the canvas options for the same artwork.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does a Metal edition need to be framed?

Check the product page and the options listed for the specific edition; if you have a framing or hanging question about a metal piece, contact the gallery before you order.

Which lasts longer, canvas or metal?

We do not publish a durability ranking between the materials. For care questions about a specific piece, contact the gallery and we will help.

Is a Metal edition worth the higher price?

Metal editions are priced individually, and a given metal edition may cost more or less than a canvas edition of the same image depending on the title and size. Compare the specific edition on the product page, including its size and price. Edition quantities are shown where confirmed. If a quantity is not listed for a particular metal edition, contact the gallery for confirmation.

Can I see all materials before buying?

Each product page lists the editions that are offered for that piece, with material, size and pricing, so you can compare canvas, paper and metal options side by side where more than one is available. Edition quantities are shown where confirmed. If a quantity is not listed for a particular metal edition, contact the gallery for confirmation.

See our edition types guide for a breakdown of Artist Proof, Gallery Proof, Signed and Numbered, G, Mural and other edition types, or browse the catalog to compare materials across Michael Godard's work.

Last reviewed: October 6, 2026