Glossary

Approximate Sizes Signature Plus	Signature	Large	Medium	Small
$1,200	$950	$595	$295	$120
48×60	30×40	24×32	18×24	9×12

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; A/P 1/100 is the first print of an edition of 100 Artist Proof impressions. By art market standards Artist Proofs usually rank higher in value to S/N’s of an edition.

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.

Giclee or Digital 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 which 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.

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 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 and 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 5/1500, indicates the fifth print of a limited edition of 1500 impressions.

Sold Out or Sold

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. When an original is Sold it is listed in the collection of its owner. Our site will designate a flashing red dot to denote Sold Out or Sold. In the art market a red dot on a piece symbolizes that it has been sold.