Confused about the print terminology? Read the Benjamin Art Gallery FAQ

Artist Proof

A signed and numbered print bearing the pencil-written initials A/P. Artist proofs are identical to their S/N counterparts, with the exception that there are fewer A/Ps, thus making them more desireable to collectors.

Sometimes the artist may retain the artist proofs. As a general rule, there are 10% more A/Ps than S/Ns when a painting is reproduced as a numbered edition.

Canvases

Lithographs (as well as iris prints) can be transferred to canvas, a special fabric material, which gives the appearance of texture to the image. Irises can also be printed directly on to the canvas.

Giclée (Iris)

Giclée (pronounced ZHEE-clay) is the French term for "fine spray." A giclée print is created with digital printers using four tiny ink jets that spray more than 4 million microscopic water-based colored ink droplets per second onto a sheet of fine art paper or canvas, spinning on a drum at the rate of 250 inches per second.

Precise computer calculations control these ink jets to produce over 500 shades of dense, water-based ink. A computer scans the artist's original work to control the jets -- no printing film or plates are involved. The final product is a lush, vibrant, and velvety-looking art print; one that has the feel of a watercolor, and the clarity of an original painting.

Limited Edition

A limited edition print is a reproduction of an original painting which is numbered and signed by the artist. The limited number of pieces in the edition as well as the artist's signature yields a collectible piece of art.

The materials used in producing a limited edition print are archival-quality. This is done to preserve the life of the print and to prevent discoloration. The paper on which the image is printed is treated so it is pH neutral (acid-free) and is a heavier paper stock than the open edition prints. Limited edition prints are often referred to as lithographs.

If the print is framed by the publisher, the hinge tape, backing paper, and the fiber matting are all acid-free.

Lithographs

The majority of prints are lithographs. They are printed from a flat surface, and therefore lack texture. A limited edition lithograph is printed with museum-quality inks and paper, whereas open edition prints and posters may not be.

Offset lithography is the process of taking an original piece of art and separating the colors using a scanner or digital camera which feeds the image directly into a computer. Combining this information with the photo offset printing process, the press recreates all the colors in the original artwork. Additional tints or touch plates may be added to produce a print that is an exact match to the original painting.

Open Edition

An open edition print is printed on a lighter weight paper stock. It is usually smaller in size than the limited edition, and is also not signed, numbered, or personally inspected by the artist. For these reasons, the open edition is less expensive than a limited edition print.

Open edition prints are ideal for those who are interested in the ministry power of the image rather than the collectibility of the piece. Open edition prints are reprinted according to public demand and are ideal for home, office, and church use.

Publisher

A company which holds the legal rights to print and distribute an artist's images is known as a publisher. This company, also known as a Publishing House, sells the artist's reproductions to art dealers.

Remarque

A remarque is a unique and highly detailed colored or pencil sketch by the artist which has been drawn directly onto the margin area of print or is sometimes included separately. A remarque adds value to a print, since it is unique and original.

Rigiclée

A revolutionary new art form that combines the giclée printing technology with a rigid archival surface. Rigiclées are framed without glass and have all the brilliance of an artist's original painting.

Secondary Market

The secondary market is a source for obtaining prints or canvases after the edition is sold out from the publisher. The value and availability of a piece are based upon supply and demand. The secondary market can be extremely

unpredictable as price is determined by the value of the print to the individual consumer and may differ from one geographic area to another.

Serigraph

A serigraph (pronounced sear-E-graph) is produced by the silk-screen or screen-print  printing process. For each desired color, a photographically-prepared or hand-cut stencil is created indicating where the color will be applied. Then the stencil is adhered to a silk or nylon mesh screen, and paint of that color is forced through the screen ontothe paper. The resulting process creates a luxurious, vibrant image.

Signed Only

An open edition print which is signed by the artist but not numbered is "signed only."

Signed and Numbered (S/N)

An abbreviation meaning signed and numbered, or standard numbered. An S/N print is also referred to as a limited edition.

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