Prints

When buying prints try to buy from a reputable source, do some basic research, find out how long the business has been trading. Whether the owner is a member of a local business group and ask a friend if they can recommend a gallery or shop.

Art prints may be “artists’ prints i.e. handmade by artists, print markers or digital (giclée) or photomechanical reproductions (offset lithographs). Be aware which it is you are buying.

Artists’ prints are handmade and are not reproductions of paintings: the print is a unique work of art. The covers printing techniques such as etching, woodcut, engraving, screenprint and linocut. Editions tend to be less then 200 copies, partly because the materials used to make the prints wear out. This type of print is sometimes called an ‘Original Print’.

The generally accepted meaning of artist's proof is an extra print taken on top of the numbered edition for the artist to keep. There should be no more than 10% of the edition extra except with very small editions where 5 is fairly standard. Some artists tend to number prints A/P if there is some slight difference between that print and the numbered edition, e.g. if a bit of ink smudges or something, so sometimes they are unique. When for example an artist finishes printing an edition of 50 and have not yet printed 5 artist's proofs they print them at the end. Some artists prefer to keep proofs, some collectors like them better, some prefer a numbered print. They differ from trial proofs (T/P) which are generally taken when the print is first being made and the artist subsequently changes the image in some way before printing the edition. The idea of artists' proofs really comes into play when the artist does not print or publish their own images, so with Picasso or Matisse for example, the publisher paid the artist to produce a plate, took an edition to sell, and gave a certain number of extra prints to the artist.

Limited edition reproductions are produced in strictly limited numbers, which makes the image more exclusive. The market price can rise over time if demand outstrips supply. Editions sizes vary but are limited by market forces, not by the physical constraints of the printing method. Most limited editions are signed and numbered in pencil by the artist with a commitment that no other reproduction of the image will be made.

An open edition reproduction print can be produced in any quantity and the image may also be used in other ways, such as tableware. Open editions tend to cost less than limited editions and are much less likely to increase in value.

Whichever type of print you buy, expect it to last. Quality prints should be printed on paper to be at least 250gsm thick with an acidity level of between pH7 and pH10 to help minimise discolouring. Colours should be lightfast scoring 6 or more on the Blue Wool Scale, the industry standard measurement in the UK , or it’s equivalent. The print you buy should be a close facsimile of the original work. The printing should be clear with good depth of colour. The artist’s signature will endorses the visible print quality.

Art prints can range from inexpensive posters to valuable handmade prints. The British Standards Institute standard BS7876:1996 classifies prints according to the level of artistic involvement.

The art market is as fickle and hard to predict as any other market. The main factors the affect value are the artist’s reputation, so research the artist’s past achievements and recent prices. Rarity is also an important factor along with condition. Buying second hand or antique prints condition becomes an important issue. If prints have been stuck down with glue, have edges trimmed or been exposed to adverse conditions such as damp or strong sun light the value might be affected. Visible ripples or foxing (brown spots) can put collectors off. If the colours are faded, the value may be considerably diminished.

You can help preserve a print in mint condition by investing in good quality framing. Conversation framing is recommended for limited edition prints of moderate to high value. ( Picture Framing )

Prints and Books