Within the visual arts, the term print describes a mark transferred from a matrix onto a receiving surface, typically paper. Unlike a single, unique artwork, a print exists in multiples, known as an edition, where each instance carries the authority of the artist’s hand through a shared image. This process allows a single design to reach a wider audience without sacrificing the integrity of the creative vision, bridging the gap between exclusive gallery walls and dedicated collectors.
Defining the Artistic Print
A print in art is not a reproduction or a copy of an original painting; it is an original work of art in its own right. The artist creates a design on a surface called a matrix, which can be a metal plate, a wooden block, or a stone. Ink is applied to this matrix and then transferred under pressure onto paper, creating a single impression. Because the artist determines the total number of acceptable impressions, the print becomes a curated series, authenticated by a signature and title.
Traditional Techniques and Their Legacy
Art history is defined by major printmaking traditions, each leaving a distinct aesthetic and technical legacy. These methods require a specific skill set, where the artist must think in reverse and carve or draw in reverse to achieve the desired final image.
Intaglio: The Art of Incision
Intaglio refers to techniques where the image is incised into a surface. The most familiar example is etching, where a metal plate is coated with a protective ground and the artist draws through it with a needle. The exposed lines are then bitten by acid, creating grooves that hold ink. When printed, these grooves create a rich, velvety line that defines much of Old Master drawing. Engraving, another intaglio method, involves cutting lines directly into a metal plate with a burin, resulting in a precise, sharp mark that showcases the artist’s control.
Relief: The Carved Image
Relief printing is perhaps the most intuitive method, acting like a sophisticated stamp. The artist carves away the negative space of the image from a block of wood or a sheet of linoleum, leaving the raised surface to receive the ink. Woodcuts, with their bold contrasts and grainy texture, have been used for centuries to illustrate books and create vibrant posters. The simplicity of the process allows for a graphic clarity that is both striking and immediate.
The Digital Turn in Contemporary Practice
Technological advancements have expanded the definition of a print beyond manual processes. While traditional artists still rely on presses and stones, the digital revolution has introduced new vocabulary to the field. Digital prints are produced using inkjet printers, where droplets of ink are precisely placed onto paper, often resulting in a photographically accurate image. Giclée prints, a specific subset of digital printing, use archival inks and substrates to ensure longevity, making fine art reproduction accessible to a broader audience without compromising quality.
Understanding the Edition
One of the most critical aspects of collecting and understanding prints is the concept of the edition. An edition is the total number of impressions taken from a single matrix. In a limited edition, the artist numbers the prints, such as 15/100, indicating the specific print number 15 out of a total of 100. This practice ensures scarcity and value. However, the definition has evolved; an artist proof (AP) is a small number of prints retained by the artist for their own collection, often outside the main numbered edition, adding another layer of exclusivity to the print run.
