What is an Artist’s Proof and what does A/P mean? Frequently, an edition will include a number of prints called Artist Proofs, or AP's. These proofs are normally printed at the time of the initial printing of the edition and are outside of the numbered series. AP's frequently sell for more that prints from an edition.

What is a lithograph? Lithography is based on the principle that oil and water do not mix. Using oil-based ink or a grease crayon, an image is drawn on a flat stone or metal plate. Next, water is applied to the surface and is repelled by the areas where oil-based images have been drawn. The entire surface is then coated with an oil-based ink that adheres only to the areas drawn in oil, ink, or crayon. The image is then printed on paper. The popularity of this process grew because thousands of exact replicas could be made that were like drawings on paper, without degradation of the image.

What is a color lithograph? Color lithography is essentially the same process as basic lithography. In this process, however, the application of each color is printed separately through careful alignment or registration. This process is typically done by a computer analysis, and is most frequently used in the production of posters and open edition prints.

What is an offset lithograph? Offset lithography uses the same basic principles as direct lithography. However, offset presses transfer ink from the plate to a smooth rubber cylinder before an image reaches the paper. Offset lithography is the method of choice for many commercial printers because of its accurate registration and color control at high speeds.
Back to FAQ

What is a Serigraph or Silkscreen? Silkscreening, or serigraphy was introduced around 1907. The serigraphy process involves pressing ink through a fine screen onto paper. The process begins with a stencil cut from an artist’s image using transparent Mylar. A Mylar stencil is cut separately for each color by a highly skilled color separator. The separator will hand mix each color to match the many sections of color on the original art. This process may be repeated up to 100 times depending on the number of colors identified in the original art. Each stencil is placed on a taut screen with paper underneath. Ink is then spread on top and forced through the screen onto the paper with a squeegee. Unlike offset lithography, silkscreen allows the artist to vary colors and patterns while printing.

What is a Giclee? Giclée (pronounced "zhee-clay") is a French word meaning "a spraying of ink." With the advent of giclée, the art of reproducing fine art has become even more precise. Giclée's have the highest apparent resolution available today -- as high as 1,800 dpi. In addition, since no screens are used, the prints have a higher apparent resolution than lithographs and a color range that exceeds that of serigraphy. Displaying a full color spectrum, giclée prints capture every nuance of an original and have gained wide acceptance from artists and galleries throughout the world.

Serigraphy has the highest color density and qualities of the original piece in terms of color saturation. The process also adds some texture to the final product.

A Lithograph is the least manually intensive reproduction technique, and in turn, is not as expensive as a serigraph or giclée. Although images can have a high resolution, and excellent appearance, they will not have the same degree of resolution or color density as a serigraph or giclée.

What does 'S/N' mean? S/N is a symbol used to indicate that a limited edition has been signed and numbered by the artist himself/herself.

Will the value of a limited edition increase like other collector's items? By their nature of being limited in number, demand for certain limited edition prints can be greater than the number of reproductions produced for the edition. Once an edition is sold out from the publisher, which means that the print is no longer available from the publisher but may still be available from an authorized dealer, the prints are considered to be on the Secondary Market. This means that the print can be bought and sold by any dealer or individual, often above issue price, depending on supply and demand.

What is meant by the term 'Archival' and 'acid-free'? Archival or acid-free paper or canvas has been treated to neutralize its natural acidity in order to protect fine art and photographic prints from discoloration and deterioration.