Lithograph Prints

Lithograph prints are a reproduction of the original work of art, usually done in full color. Each color or color variation in a print requires a separate pass on the lithographer’s press, with a minimum of four colors required to obtain the full color spectrum. Lithograph prints enable an artist to reach a large number of collectors that could never be reached by the small number of original paintings that are available. Lithograph prints also are more affordable, compared to the price of an original painting, thus allowing the collector to enjoy fine art which otherwise might be beyond his or her price range.

Limited Edition Print

Fine art prints are often made from an artist's original painting. To keep the value of each print high, they are sometimes limited in the number of reproductions made.   A limited edition print is an original image limited to a predetermined print quantity. The numbers on the print denote the individual piece number in the edition over the total edition size. For example, 3/125 is the 3rd print in a series of 125.

Limited edition lithograph prints are individually signed and numbered by the artist, with the quantity determined before the prints are produced. When the print run is complete, the artist inspects each print, numbers and signs it, with his signature as the artist’s personal statement that the lithograph print is an authentic reproduction of the original painting. Once the final print in the edition is sold, the print is designated as “sold out” and will never be reproduced again in lithograph print form, no matter how great the demand. The lithograph printing plates are destroyed, thus assuring the collector’s investment. Limited edition lithographs are printed on acid free, archival paper, as well as paper that is Elemental Chlorine Free (ECF) paper. This museum quality paper is prepared ECF and acid free at the mill in order to preserve the art from damage that would occur if acids were present in the paper.

Artist Proof A/P

When an artist or art publishing house decides a painting would sell to art collectors and dealers, they produce a signed and numbered limited edition print release. This means the print number will be limited to a certain volume, say 500 prints and the artist will sign and number each print.  Most art collectors believe that these prints and proofs are the next best thing to owning one of the artist's original paintings.

Artist’s Proofs are additional prints not included in, but of the same quality as, the regular limited edition. With today’s modern printing technology, the lithograph prints in the production run are nearly identical. When the limited edition lithograph prints have sold out and are available only through a secondary market, the Artist’s Proofs should go up in value at a higher percentage rate than the limited edition prints. Normally, Artist’s Proofs sell out well before the limited edition, and can increase in value before the limited edition is sold out.

According to Alan Bean, artist's proofs are a special subset of the regular limited edition. They usually sell for more than the regular edition. Artist's proofs began back when limited editions were all hand-pulled from a one-man litho press. The artist's proofs were the first prints pulled off a fresh "stone" (the plate which was drawn or etched by the artist to create the prints). The stone wore down as the number of prints was increased, so that the APs were the sharpest and most colorful of the lot. Thus, they sold for more, being a better product.

These days, in the world of modern offset lithography, all the prints in an edition are nearly identical. Artist's proofs maintain their collectability and value because A) They are a small subset of the edition, and B) they usually come directly from the artist. In these days of mass marketing, getting something directly or even indirectly from the artist is rare. Publishers usually turn over the artists proofs to the artist for his or her own use, and retain all the other prints in the edition.

Artist's proofs are signed "A/P" or "Artist's Proof" and may or may not be numbered with the serial number of that portion of the edition.

Artist's proofs are generally considered a status symbol in the world of art collecting. And their resale value is proportionally higher than the numbered editions.

Gallery Proof (GP)

The gallery proof is limited in availability of the print although in most cases there are more gallery proofs published than artist proofs. The gallery proof edition size was the same as the artist proof edition - generally at 20% of the S/N edition size. Gallery Proofs are physically identical to the S/N edition with the exception that each print carries an annual remarque plate and is designated with the letters "G/P" during the numbering process.

Giclée

The French word Giclée, which means to squirt or spray is quickly becoming the benchmark of limited edition prints leading into the new millennium.

An original painting is digitally scanned, color corrected and manipulated to match the tones of the original painting.  A duplicator is then engaged to spray approximately 4 million droplets of ink per second onto the actual art canvas.  Unlike tradition offset printing, the only thing that contacts the canvas is the ink.  This produces more of an even tone rather than a dot structure.

These canvas prints are produced individually and take up to 30 minutes per reproduction.  The end result is a near perfect forgery of the original painting.  The bottom line is Giclée is a superior product and is capable of fooling the most discriminating collector. Giclee prints are created typically using professional 8-Color to 12-Color ink-jet printers.

The quality of the giclee print rivals traditional silver-halide and gelatin printing processes and is commonly found in museums, art galleries, and photographic galleries.

Original Art

A painting such as a watercolor on paper, oil or acrylic on canvas is an original work of art. Because it is a unique work of the artist, it is said to be "the original." Because there is but one copy, and is not mass-produced, it has more value.

2nd Market

After a designated number of limited edition pieces are sold out, it is then classified as a 2nd market piece.  A consumer can purchase a 2nd market piece through several sources. These include galleries, art dealers, private individuals, corporations, etc.   An Artist Proof has the possibility of becoming 2nd market before the Printer's Proof and/or Signed & Numbered prints or vice versa.  A piece can be sold several times over, after the allotted number of limited edition pieces have completely sold out, and is still considered a 2nd market piece.  Prices are generally set by the 2nd market owner and may vary substantially.

Laminate Series

A lithograph paper print is laminated with a new high tech, non glare, protective covering that eliminates the need for glass in the frame.  There is no glare or reflections to distract from the artwork, just a crisp beautiful image.  This new laminate also protects against damaging and fading UV rays.  It is durable enough to be wiped with a damp cloth if needed.