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Artist Proof or A/P
Common practice is that 10 to 15 percent of an edition is reserved
for the artist. In addition to the regular numbered edition,
the artist usually selects a specified number of inventory for
either his or her own uses, for a museum, or as the artist chooses.
These proofs may be designated as artist's proofs (AP, or EP
in French and PA in Spanish) Print marking example; AP 1/50 is
the first print of an edition of 50 Artist Proof impressions.
By art market standards Artist Proofs usually rank higher in
value to S/N's of an edition.
Limited Edition Print or L/E
A pre-determined number of identical prints of an image are
produced from a master plate, stone, or other method, after which
no more impressions are allowed. The edition size is the sum
of all numbered pieces and proofs. The prints are then signed
by the artist, sometimes titled, and sequentially numbered showing
both the print's number and the total edition size. Each print
is referred to as a "limited edition print". The original
print plates are typically destroyed after the production of
the reproduction is completed.
Signed & Numbered or S/N
Prints that are authenticated with the artists
signature, the total number of impressions in the edition, and
the order in which impression is signed. The artist pencils in
his signature and a number on the bottom of the print. Pencil
is usually used on reproductions because it does not effect paper
over time. The number appears as a fraction. Numbering example;
L/E 5/500, indicates the fifth print of a limited edition of
500 impressions.
Open Edition Print
Identical prints of an image that are produced from a master
plate, stone, or other method, which has no pre-determined number
of prints.
Giclee Print
A fine art print that has become more precise
with the advent of the revolutionary printing process Giclee
(ghee-clay) a French term meaning "spray of ink." In
the Giclee process, a fine stream of ink (more than four millions
droplets per second) is sprayed onto archival art paper or
canvas. Each piece of paper or canvas is carefully hand mounted
onto a drum that rotates during printing. Exact calculation
of hue, value and density direct the ink from four nozzles.
This produces a combination of 512 chromatic changes (with
over three million colors possible) of highly saturated, non-toxic
water-based ink. Since no screens are used in Giclee printing,
the prints have a higher resolution than lithographs and the
dynamic color range is greater than serigraphs.
Lithograph
A mechanical process used to photographicly reproduce an image.
The newest printing method in the industry is computerized or
electronic printing. This process uses a computer, typesetting
and page-design software and optical scanners to aid in reproduction.
The majority of reproductions are created using this process.
Certificate
of Authenticity
A document issued with limited edition prints, with the print
publisher information, title of the image, size of the image,
reproduction media or method, and number of the prints in the
edition. Certificate may contain a statement about the work from
the artist.
ABBREVIATIONS:
A/P – Artist Proofs
L/E – Limited Edition
S/N – Signed & Numbered
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