About Prints and Reproductions

A print is an original work of art (including photographs).

A reproduction is a printed representation, a facsimile,
or a copy of an original work of art.

Original fine art prints are multiple impressions of the same image, created in limited editions, with the direct involvement of the artist. The Print Council of America drew up a list of elements necessary for a print to qualify as a fine art print. All of them stress the importance of the artist's involvement:

• The master image on the stone or plate must be created by the artist;
• The prints, if not printed by the artist, should be hand-printed by someone under the artist's supervision;
• Each impression should be approved and signed by the artist.

Commercial, high-volume, mass production printing produces reproductions of a painting, a drawing or a photograph in quantity. The printed results are not legitimately signed or numbered as fine art prints.