Fine Art Terminology

The Art of Print Making

A limited edition print is an original image limited to a predetermined print quantity. The edition is often signed and numbered by the artist. The making of limited edition prints is a time-consuming, exacting and collaborative effort the artist and the printer. The choice of paper, printing technique, the size of the edition, the consistent quality of each print in the sports art edition are just as critical as the artist’s choice of subject matter and style.

Limited Edition Print: (Signed and Numbered)

An edition of identical prints, numbered sequentially and individually signed by the artist, having a stated limit to the quantity in the edition. Following publication the printing plates are destroyed. All Limited Editions are authenticated with a Certificate of Authenticity and original signature of the artist.

Giclee
Giclee printing made its debut in 1985 and incorporates the technology of digital printing, whereby microscopic ink droplets are precisely positioned onto a surface. Giclee prints offer incredible saturation, depth of color, and a beautifully finished print that captures the essence of the artist’s intent. Many contemporary and influential artists have adopted this new, high-quality printing technique.

Offset Lithography
A special photo-mechanical technique in which the image to be printed is transferred to the negative plates and printed onto paper. Offset lithography is very well adapted to color printing.

Serigraphy (Silk-screen)
A printing technique that makes use of a squeegee to force ink directly onto a piece of paper or canvas through a stencil creating an image on a screen of silk or other fine fabric with an impermeable substance. Serigraphy differs from most other printing in that its color areas are paint films rather than printing ink stains.

Artists Proof
An old tradition of reserving a quantity of prints for the artist's use. Proofs are signed by the artist and numbered showing the quantity of Artist's Proofs issued in the edition. Because of their highly restricted number, Artist's Proofs are sold at a higher value than the regular prints in the edition.

Remarqued
Additional enhancements by the artist on some or all of the final prints within an edition. Each remarque by the artist is slightly different, thus making each print totally unique. An artist remarqued print is the ultimate collector item in terms of reproduced work.

Open Edition
An edition issued without limit, individual number, or artists signature. Some, however, have been signed by one or more athletes depicted in the painting.

Acid-free Paper or Canvas
Paper or canvas treated to neutralize it's natural acidity in order to protect fine art and photographic prints from discoloration and deterioration.