Streetwise Art

Artist Proof or A/P - 10 to 15 percent of an edition is usually reserved for the artist. Above the regular numbered edition, the artist usually selects a specified number of inventory for either his or her own uses, for a museum, etc. These proofs may be designated as artist�s proofs (AP, or EP in French and PA in Spanish) Print marking example; A/P 1/100 is the first print of an edition of 100 Artist Proof impressions. Proofs usually rank higher in value to S/N's of an edition.

Giclee - A fine art print that has become more precise. 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 which rotates. 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. No screens are used, prints have a higher resolution than lithographs and greater color range than serigraphs.

Hors de Commerce or 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. Print marking example; H/C 1/10

Limited Edition Prints 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 is referred to as a "limited edition print". Original print plates are typically destroyed after ward.

Lithograph - A print produced by a printing process in which the artist draws, usually with a waxy crayon, directly on a flat stone or specially prepared metal plate (sheet zinc or aluminum). The stone or plate are treated to retain ink while the non-image areas are treated to repel ink.

Medium - the material or technical means of the way a piece of art is produced. Kinds of mediums include oils, watercolors, acrylics, ink, pencil and charcoal, to name a few. Reproduction medium types which involve reproduction methods are lithography, offset lithography, silk-screen, serigraphy and giclees. Mixed media is the use of two or more materials during the artistic process.

Printers Proof or P/P - Common practice by many printers print a small number of impressions or prints which are made for reviewing by the artist his or her publishers, or even galleries for approval at printing time. Proofing time may vary depending on reproduction methods. Offset lithographs are produced fairly rapidly with an offset press. Proofs are sometimes marketed and are actually identical impressions to the final print that is ultimately done in larger numbers. Print markings for example will show "P/P 1/100". This refers to the first print of an edition of 100 Printers Proofs. Most Printers Proofs are pricier and worth more in value to S/N's or A/P's of an edition.

Rag Paper - One hundred percent rag paper are constructed of cotton fibers. Often considered museum or what one might has as "archival quality". Watercolor paper and most final print paper further help to describe examples of archival rag type paper.

Signed and Numbered or S/N - Prints that are signed or 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. Most artists choose to use a pencil on reproduction images because it does not degrade or grossly effect paper in years to come. The number appears as a fraction. "L/E 5/1500, means one is viewing the fifth print of a limited edition of 1500 prints.