Glossary
EditionsArtist's Proof (AP)impressions printed especially for the artist and excluded from the numbering from an edition, but exactly like the editioned prints in every other respect. Edition
the total number of impressions pulled of a single image or set of images from the same matrix. to this number the artist usually authorises the additions of a small number of artist's, printer's, publisher's and other proofs.Hors-Commerce (HC)
these proofs not originally intended for sale are excluded from the number of an edition but are otherwise exactly the like the editioned prints in every other respect.
Monoprint
one of a series in which each print has slight variations such that each print is effectively unique.
Printer's Proof (PP)
impressions printed especially for the printer and excluded from the numbering from an edition, but exactly like the editioned prints in every other respect.
Trial Proof (TP)
an impression pulled before the edition to see what the print looks like at that stage of the process. trial proofs are not generally signed.
Aquatint
a form of etching with acid on a plate partially covered with varnish that produces a print somewhat resembling a watercolour.
a form of etching with acid on a plate partially covered with varnish that produces a print somewhat resembling a watercolour.
Chromogenic print (C-print)
an enlargement from a colour negative.
Drypoint
drawing on a metal plate with a sharp instrument and the burr left by the furrowed metal catches the ink and yields a rich printed line.
drawing on a metal plate with a sharp instrument and the burr left by the furrowed metal catches the ink and yields a rich printed line.
Etching
an intaglio process in which a plate is treated with acid-resistant ground. the artist then draws through the ground with various tools to expose the metal. the plate is then immersed in an acid bath where the acid bites or chemically dissolves the exposed lines. the metal plate is therefore carved or etched by the acid rather than by a tool directly in the metal.
Gelatin silver print
a print produced with continous tone ink-jet technology on a variety of media. is very high quality, longevity and clarity.
a print produced with continous tone ink-jet technology on a variety of media. is very high quality, longevity and clarity.
Giclee
a positive image composed of silver particles held in a binder layer of gelatin on paper common in early black and white photographs.
Inkjet printing
a broad term for four colour printing in which liquid inks are sprayed onto the receiving material in very fine droplets not visible to the naked eye.
Intaglio printing
a printing method whose image carriers are surfaces with two levels, having inked areas lower than non-inked areas. gravure and engraving are examples.
a printing method whose image carriers are surfaces with two levels, having inked areas lower than non-inked areas. gravure and engraving are examples.
Linocut
a print from an engraved block of linoleum.
a print from an engraved block of linoleum.
Lithograph
a printing method using plates whose images attract ink and who non-image areas repel ink.
a printing method using plates whose images attract ink and who non-image areas repel ink.
Mezzotint
a form of etching in which a metal plate is roughened evenly and then smoothed to bring out an image.
a form of etching in which a metal plate is roughened evenly and then smoothed to bring out an image.
Offset lithograph
a photo-mechanical reproduction created by the separation of colours in the original and then the recombining of those colours on a printing press.
a photo-mechanical reproduction created by the separation of colours in the original and then the recombining of those colours on a printing press.
Platinum print
a photographic print made by a monochrome printing process that provides the greatest tonal range of any printing method using chemical development. also know as platinotypes.
a photographic print made by a monochrome printing process that provides the greatest tonal range of any printing method using chemical development. also know as platinotypes.
Screenprint
a general term for a print made by forcing ink through a mesh material that is stretched over a frame. the image is created by blocking out areas of the screen using a variety of methods transmit colour to the print.
a general term for a print made by forcing ink through a mesh material that is stretched over a frame. the image is created by blocking out areas of the screen using a variety of methods transmit colour to the print.
Silkscreen
a print made using a stencil process in which an image is superimposed on a very fine mesh screnn and ink is squeegeed on the printing surface through the area of the screen that is not covered by the stencil.
a print made using a stencil process in which an image is superimposed on a very fine mesh screnn and ink is squeegeed on the printing surface through the area of the screen that is not covered by the stencil.
Woodcut
a print from an engraved block of wood.
a print from an engraved block of wood.
