Art prints, an explanation
The term “ artist's print” has taken on a lot of different meanings over the last 20 years or so. Driven by the availability of vastly improved printing technologies, artists have a variety of options for producing multiple images from their art.
For hundreds of years, artists prints were made by hand—with etching, block printing ,engraving (intaglio), Lithography, and silkscreen(serigraphy) being the main methods. In these instances, the work is created with the express aim of producing multiple impressions or copies. From these types of prints, editions are created. Artists began to sign and number these prints in (supposedly) the order they were “pulled” (printed). Although the inspiration for producing prints such as these could possibly be an oil painting, watercolor, drawing or sketch, these type of prints stand by themselves as a genre of art. Prints that are inspired from prior art were often modified to adapt to the chosen printing method. By contrast, an oil painter rarely stands in front of 200 canvases and attempts to produce a series of identical paintings.
In recent years however, accurate color printing methods have advanced to such a degree that an artist who creates a beautiful, powerful painting, is now able to produce editions from one original. These methods open a whole new set of terms, like giclé, dye-sublimation and others. With care, original colors can be faithfully reproduced, sizes can be larger or smaller than the original and a variety of substrates ( paper, canvas, metal) can be used.
Although actual texture is often sacrificed, especially with oil paintings, the illusion of texture is often maintained.
These types of copies can purchased at a fraction of the price of the original, and in some instances, are often difficult to distinguish from the source. Originals created on paper like watercolors, pastels or drawings are extremely well suited to this type of reproduction. Often displayed with a mat and framed under glass, I have been astounded at the illusion of originality.
Oils on the other hand are often reproduced on canvas and are a little easier to detect as copies.
Nevertheless, they can be very acceptable when properly framed and displayed.
The up-shot of all this is a win-win situation for both artists and art lovers. Artists are now able to generate an income by offering multiple reproductions to the public at greatly reduced prices, and art lovers can obtain a pleasing piece of art for a lot less than before.
So, when referring to the “print market” it's important to make these distinctions. Hand-pulled, limited edition, signed and numbered prints refers to the traditional types of prints described above. The modern, digital, photographically generated , commercially printed images available today are more accurately described as “reproduction-prints” This latter group, if produced in limited quantities, that are well documented and signed by the artist may increase in value over time. This could eventually elevate these types of prints to “collectable” status.
Finally, buying art, in whatever form you choose, is available to nearly anyone regardless of budget.
