9 Things You Should Know About

A Buying Guide to Art Print

From lithography to giclee print, an introduction to prints, the importance of different types of paper and more.

Content

1 - What is an Art Print?

An art print is a print of an original work of art published in several prints, created through a transfer process. There are many different types of printing and the process is constantly evolving, but the five best known techniques are etching, lithography, giclee, screen printing and woodcut.

Etching

Using an engraving needle, the artist scratches an image on a metal plate covered with wax. This plate is then immersed in acid, which "etches" in the metal exposed to the scratched lines. The longer the plate is down in the acid, the deeper and darker the line becomes. The plate is cleaned, covered with ink and cleaned again. This leaves only the scratched lines filled with ink. Steamed paper and a protective cloth are placed on top of the plate, and then pressed through a press - the pressure forces the paper down into the etched lines and absorbs the ink. The image is now printed on paper in a flipped version.

Etching is most often used to produce deep black and white images, dating back to the old master period to the more modern era. Rembrandt used this technique technologically to achieve atmospheric effects, and Wayne Thiebaud continues the tradition to this day.

Stone print

The artist draws on stone using a grease-based medium - which is usually special lithographic crayons or greasy ink also known as a felt-tip pen. The stone is then treated with a chemical solution that ensures that the image will attract the ink and that the glossy areas will repel the ink but attract the water. A solvent 'fixes' the image and the surface is steamed with water. Oil-based ink is then applied to the stone with a roller that only adheres to the image. Finally, the stone is placed in a lithographic print and covered with paper. The press seeks to keep the print even throughout the image. The image is also printed in reverse here.

Lithograph was first famous by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec in the 19th century, but has been used by many of the great post-war artists, including Pablo Picasso, Joan Miró, David Hockney and Jasper Johns.

Screen Print

An image is cut into a sheet of paper or plastic to create a stencil. This stencil is then placed in a frame, which has a fine net across it so that it forms a 'screen'. A sheet of paper is placed under the screen and ink is pushed through the stencil from above using a rubber plate. The pressure only comes through the cut part of the stencil. In addition to stencils, a photographic image can be reproduced on the screen using light-sensitive gelatins. This was a hugely important innovation for Andy Warhol and other members of the Pop generation who wanted to publish commercial photographs and popular images.

Woodcut

An image is sketched on a block of wood before cutting into the surface with the various gouging tools. The remaining highlighted parts of the block are applied with ink using a roller. A sheet of paper is placed on top and the print is applied, this gives a print of the raised areas of the block as a mirror image. Woodcutting is the oldest printing process, and this printing method is still used to this day, among others. by the Danish artist Britta Ortiz. Artists like Robert Mangold, Frank Stella, Helen Frankenthaler have all used it.

Giclee

A giclée [zhee-klay] print is a stunning high-quality print or lithograph of a work of art or a photo made using a high-end 12-color inkjet printer. The technique uses very high quality paper as well as pigment-based inks. The ink is long-lasting with bright colors and can therefore reproduce the fine shades optimally. This maintains the stability of the image and the color fastness is far better than any other known printing ink. It is not a cheap printing technique, which is why giclée printing is primarily used in the production of exclusive art prints.

Gicglée is produced from a digital source, typically a digital photo in the highest achievable resolution. Then a special inkjet printer is used to spray the colors on the paper, often in a fairly thick layer. Pigment printing is the same as Giclée printing, as the word refers to the use of pigments in the printing process to achieve brilliant colors and great durability. You should use the word pigmentprint instead of the word Giclée print ... It is easier to pronounce and is a more honest and transparent way of identifying the process.

The history of printmaking is also a timeline for technological change - from the basic engraving techniques of the 15th century to the digital printing of the 21st century.

2 - Is a print more than just a copy of the original?

Although art prints involve the reproduction of an image, a print is more than just a copy of the original. Fine Art art print - Gicleé Print - is something completely different, which is partly due to the close collaboration between the artist and the printmaster. The printmaster who works with the artist to produce the art prints - are highly trained technicians, and are often artists in their own right.

Art prints are not made in large editions intended exclusively for commercial sale. A limited edition (known as a limited edition) is produced according to FineArtTradeGuild's Standards, to ensure the quality and durability of the finished giclee print. The art prints are sold either through the artist himself, a commercial gallery or a publisher. The result of the art prints is in itself a work of art created between the artist and the print master. And the importance of art prints is as important to the artist as the original works of art.

3 - Why would artists have produced art prints?

Artists get art prints produced for many different reasons. Art print can offer a completely different creative result than the artist's own primary working methods. Therefore, they may be attracted to the digital printing process for the potential that this medium offers, or they may want to collaborate with the printmaster on duplicating their best originals or perhaps to document their creative process.

Some artists consistently produce art prints throughout their careers - here Pablo Picasso is a famous example, while others get art prints produced in step with their activities. These periods are typically customized in collaboration with the printmaster and print center.

4 - Original / Art Print - What Do I Know?

An art print is defined as an 'original' print if it is published in a limited edition and signed and numbered by the artist himself. An original print is technically a unique piece of work, as it is produced as a limited edition, and each art print is numbered by the artist, typically written as a fraction - for example 12/25. The number to the right of the slash indicates the size of the circulation (in this case 25), while the number to the left is the number of the individual art print.

An artist can also have a limited number produced, as proof, for artists themselves, often labeled A / P - Artists Proofs, which are identical to the rest of the edition. Here again, numbering can be used to indicate the total number of proofs (eg A / P 1/4). Other proofs can be made at an earlier time while the artist and printmaster develop the art print. These are known as proofs of proof or color proofs. These can be unique with differences in color combinations, paper types or sizes. Andy Warhol began selling his proofs as unique color combinations separate from the edition, and they are now some of the most sought-after works in his print market.

When the print is perfect, it is made as a proof and signed B.A.T. (an abbreviation of the French ‘bon à tirer’ - ‘ready to print’). The rest of the edition is matched after this print, which is why it is also kept as proof for the print master and the print center.

If you are in doubt as to whether it is a genuine original print, a certificate of authenticity or certificate will typically be included on the print. Typically, it will appear from the proof which materials have been used, as well as where and who has been responsible for the production of the prints. If you are interested, you can contact the print center and ask them for advice. A certificate will also contain specifications about the artwork, material consumption as well as a date and signing from the artist and the printmaster himself.

5 - How important are the different types of paper used for art prints?

A sign of a true print specialist is not only their interest in technology, but also their obsession with paper. Our records describe the type of paper an art print is printed on.

Choosing paper is an important part of the printing process because it can directly affect the nature of how the printed image looks. Jasper Johns is famous for pushing for higher quality, thicker paper for his prints, while Andy Warhol loved cheaper, thinner paper for his 1960s Soup Can print to emphasize that they were meant to be enjoyed by the masses.

6 - Are all art prints signed?

The majority of the art prints produced by 2choose and sold through the Art Collection are numbered and signed by the artist himself. However, there may be exceptions where the artist has chosen to only sign the art prints and not number them. Andy Warhol and Pablo Picasso have published editions, and larger portfolio releases where only the title page was signed. But with a numbered edition, you are guaranteed that there will be no more reprints at a later date.

7 - Why Art Print?

Art print can be a great way to get started buying art. A way to learn about styles, follow artists and find your way forward in the art world, just at a completely different price level. The art prints present the opportunity to own and build a more comprehensive collection. It can be a collection that tells a more complete story about a topic, theme or composition. The art prints can also help to tell about an artist through time - and reveal the artist's phases, development and style change.

8 - How do I take care of my prints?

If you need to frame your art print because it has to hang up on the wall, there are several things that play a role in the durability of the art print. The most important thing is that the materials you use for the framing must be in order. It's everything from the frame and the glass to the mat and the tape. If you have the slightest doubt, get the art print framed by a professional. It is worth paying a little extra to get the art print properly fitted using the right materials, and many are not as expensive as you might think. You are of course also welcome to ask 2Choose for advice - as we are used to framing art prints and are often asked questions about it.

If your prints are to be included in a collection, make sure they are protected in chartex and archived in a dark folder where light cannot enter.

3 tips for your art print

1 - Giclée print is printed with colorfast pigment ink, however it is still a good idea not to hang it in direct sunlight; this way you extend the colors in the art print.

2 - Make sure to keep the art print far away from any moisture source. Paper is a living material and will absorb moisture and thus be corrugated.

3 - Finally, do not crop the art print in an attempt to fit it in a smaller frame. The artist has put thoughts behind the design and layout of the print. The possibility of degrading the value of the art print when it is cropped must be taken into account.