Glossary

Following are some terms that are used on the site and explanations to help you understand the world of art reproduction.

Artist Proof:    Artist proofs are the artist's personal prints that are given to him as part of the printing - usually 10% of the edition. There is no physical difference between the artist proofs and the limited edition. They are considered more collectable and are valued higher both initially and later on. The artist proof is signed and numbered as part of the smaller 10% edition.
 
Canvas Print:    A canvas print is different from a canvas transfer.  To make a canvas print the ink is printed directly onto the canvas instead of transferring the image from a paper print through the process explained below.  The colors are even more vivid when printed directly onto the canvas. Canvassing eliminates the need for matting and glass. It is the perfect way to show art in a room with a lot of windows and sunlight as they are UV coated and will not fade.
 
Canvas Transfer:    Canvas transfers are made by putting the existing paper print into a special solution that soaks away the paper. Then the film of ink is applied a specially prepared, stretched canvas.  Because of the texture of the canvas, the canvas transfer prints look very much like an original painting. They do not require matting or glass, and they are about the same size as the print that they are made from. They are great looking and very durable!
 
Gallery Wrapped Canvas:    A canvas transfer or canvas print that has painted edges to provide a finishing touch that allows the canvas to be hung on the wall without any matting, glass or framing.
 
Giclee Print:    An affordable high quality, fine art reproduction of an original piece of art with brilliant colors, and extreme detail. It is truly hard to distinguish a Giclee from an original. High quality digital ink jet printers with separate nozzles for the base colors (cyan, magenta, yellow, and black) spray each color on one at a time, which achieves the amazing quality of these prints. Giclee prints are showing up in museums and galleries everywhere, and can have a value of anywhere from $80 up to thousands of dollars.
 
Limited Edition:    A limited edition print has a preset number of signed and numbered prints that will be made available from the publisher.  Once the publisher has sold out there will be no more prints made of that piece.  At this time the print would only be available on the secondary market, and the value usually begins to appreciate.

Open Edition:    There is no limit on the number of open edition prints that can be made; because of this they are usually less expensive than a limited edition or artist proof.

Secondary Market Print:    A limited edition print that has been sold out at the publisher. Once it is sold out it is only available from galleries or people who purchased one of the prints when they were first available from the publisher. The retail price generally doubles once a print goes on the secondary market and can increase in value from there.