Education

SOME COMMON TERMS FOR PURCHASERS OF PRINTS TO UNDERSTAND: Artist Proof prints...A/P Common practice is that 10 to 15 percent of an edition is reserved for the artist. These proofs are most often identical to impressions in the edition. Print Marking example; A/P "1/35" is the first print of an edition of 35 Artist Proof Hors de Commerce...H/C Hors de Commerce (Not for trade) traditionally were the graphics pulled with the regular edition but marked by the artist for business use only. These graphics were used for entering shows, exhibits, samples, etc. Today, however, since people began to acquire and collect them, these graphics now generally find their way to the market place through regular channels and are sold. Example H/C 1/10 Limited Edition Prints...L/E A fixed number of identical prints of an image, signed by the artist, sequentially numbered, and showing both the print's number and the total edition size. Each print is referred to as a "limited edition print." Lithograph A print produced by a printing process in which the image to be printed is rendered on a flat sheet or metal plate or stone, and treated to retain ink while the non-image areas are treated to repel ink. Open Edition The quantity of prints reproduced is not limited. As long as the image is in demand, it will be reprinted. Printers Proof...P/P Common practice by many printers is that a small number of impressions are made for their review. These proofs can marketed and are identical impressions to the edition in most instances. Print Marking example; P/P "1/20" is the first print of an edition of 20 Printers Proof impressions. Remarque A current practice by some artist is the addition of a small personalized drawing near the penciled signature in the margin of the graphic. The simple sketch or drawing is usually rendered in pencil, but can be rendered in color. A print containing one of these hand embellishments or drawings is called a Remarque. Print marking example; RE "1/25" is the first print of an edition of 25 Remarques. By art market standards Remarques usually rank higher in value to S/N's. Serigraph A print made by the silk-screen process involving the use of stencils. Paint is applied to a fabric screen, penetrating areas not blocked by a stencil. Several stencils are used to produce a multicolored print. Signed and Numbered Prints that are authenticated with the artist’s signature, the total number of impressions in the edition, and the order in which impression is signed. Numbering example; L/E "5/350", indicates the fifth print of a limited edition of 350 impressions. Sold Out When a limited edition is no longer available it is termed Sold Out. When an image sells out it usually will begin to appreciate in value depending upon resale or trade in the secondary market.