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.

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