What is printmaking?
There are many different printmaking mediums and processes, but what they have in common is that instead of creating the image directly on a sheet of paper, an artist creates the image on a matrix, from which the prints are then “pulled”. The matrix can be a variety of substrates, depending on the printmaking medium.
For example, in relief printmaking the matrix can be a block of wood, sheet of lino or a photopolymer plate (sometimes referred to as a “solar” plate), taken through a process that produces the image as a raised surface that can be inked with a roller and pulled using a press.
In intaglio printmaking such as etching, the matrix is usually a zinc, copper or photopolymer plate into which the image is incised, either through the action of acid on metal, or water on photopolymer. The plate is inked by hand and the prints are pulled using a press.
What is an archival inkjet print?
In archival inkjet printmaking an artist creates the image on a virtual matrix (i.e. a digital document) rather than on a material substrate like a metal or photopolymer plate.
The prints are pulled on a specialised inkjet printer that uses non-fading archival pigments (rather than the unstable dyes of conventional inkjet printers) and museum-grade archival paper.
What is a limited-edition?
An artist creates a limited edition by deciding how many prints they will pull from the matrix, number them accordingly (e.g. 1/20 to 20/20) and then print no more from that matrix. Each print in the limited edition should be printed the same way and be as identical as possible, and each is of equal value.
What is the difference between an original limited-edition print and a reproduction (copy)?
An original print is a print pulled directly from the matrix (whether virtual or material) that the artist has created.
A print produced any other way (for example, by photographing the work or downloading an image of it) is a reproduction, not an original print.
Reproduction prints (photographic reproductions of paintings or other analogue works, for example) may be produced as limited editions, but original artists’ editions are usually printed in smaller runs, while reproductions are more likely to be produced in higher volume.