Terminology can get tricky. But once you start, you’ll realise that it’s an ally when navigating the art market!
When discussing fine art prints, many might immediately think of a poster that you’d commonly see in a teenager's room. However, this only represents a small aspect of the world of printmaking. Fine art prints offer a much broader and more intricate landscape, where prints can be classified as originals, especially if the artist uses printmaking as their sole medium for creating their work.
Below are the answers to the most commonly asked questions in the printmaking world. We hope you'll learn something new that will empower you when buying fine art prints online and in galleries.
What is a Limited Edition Print?
A limited edition print, is exactly that, limited to a certain number. There will be no more produced over the number stated. You can normally find the quantity and specific limited edition number in the bottom corner of an artwork.
What is an Open Edition Print?
This relates to prints which have no limitation on the number that can be printed. For example most prints that are found in gift shops, posters or mass printed material will be open edition.
What does Hand Embellished mean?
A hand embellished print maybe tinted or added to in some way in post production by hand. Certain effects can be produced by adding diamond dust, gold leaf, varnishes or pigments.
What is a Woodcut Print?
Woodcutting is a relief process by which the artist carves into wood to create text and imagery; due to the labour needed to create these woodcuts they were not common until the 15th century.
What is a Linocut Print?
Linocuts are also a relief process where linoleum is the material that is carved into to create an image.
What is a Screen print?
Screen-printing is a printing process whereby you transfer ink onto an under layer through mesh. An image can be created on the mesh by making parts of it non-permiable to the ink that is used. This is now the blocking stencil that you can now create multiples of.
What is a Lithograph?
Lithography is a printing process by which a prepared stone is the flat surface for an implement with oil substance to draw upon. A water based liquid is then used over the top of the oil marks on the stone, repelling this is the oil which creates a stencil when printing.
What is Engraving in Printmaking?
Engraving is the oldest intaglio printing process and to create an image from engraving one must make marks and incisions into a plate. You must then cover the surface of the stone with ink before wiping away the excess. The plate that has been worked on is then put into a printing press making the marks from the plate visible on the paper.
What is a Monoprint?
Monoprinting is a planographic type of printmaking where you can create singular unique prints each time. This can be created by a multitude of materials such as: oil paint or printing ink on glass or metal.
What is a Collagraph?
A collagraph is a combination of relief and intaglio print. It is created using a plate that you would collage to create texture (no printing presses here!) by using pva to marry the textures to the plate before inking and printing.
What is an Etching?
Etching is an intaglio type of printmaking whereby the maker coats a metal plate (usually copper) with an acid resistant substance- creating the etching ground, before using a sharp implement with acid to create a design on the metal plate- which is the process of biting.
What is a Drypoint Etching?
A similar technique to etching but without use of chemicals. A dry point implement is used to etch into a softer metal, usually copper, to create an image. Ink is then applied to the copper plate, then wiped away leaving ink in the etched recessed drawing only.
What is Aquatint?
Aquatint is similar to that of etching, both are Intaglio printmaking style. However, aquatint is focussed more on shape than the linear and mimics the style of watercolour which informs the term aquatint.
Printmaking itself is a rich and diverse field, with a vast range of techniques and processes that allow for endless creative expression. From lithography and etching to screen printing and woodcuts, there is an immense variety to appreciate within the medium. Each print offers a distinct texture, depth and personality, influenced by the artist's technical mastery and creative vision. The beauty of printmaking lies in its ability to combine the precision of craftsmanship with the artist's personal expression, creating works that are not only visually striking but also conceptually rich.
Test your new found knowledge and explore our Editions collection.
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