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How are prints of paintings made?

  • 05-10-2011 9:31am
    #1
    Stovepipe
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,984 ✭✭✭


    Hi all,
    When I see a print of a painting, it's usually got a sequential number on it, you know, 5 of 300 or something like that.How is it actually done? Is it a photographic process?

    regards
    Stovepipe


Comments

  • #2
    mooliki
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 62 ✭✭mooliki


    Hi Stovepipe,

    If a print has those sort of numbers on it then it means its a limited edition. Traditionally prints would be printed with a plate or press (a woodblock, copper plate, lino block, screen) that the image would be carved, etched or stencilled onto. The plates would have a limited lifespan as the quality of the prints would decrease with repeated use. For example, (a very brief description) Etchings involve etching or burning an image onto a metal plate, inking it up and then using a print press to transfer the image onto a page. The image will then be numbered as part of an edition of the printers choice, say 1 of 100. Once the 100th print is printed that edition is finished. As well as ensuring the quality of the print, this also makes the edition more valuable by limiting it to a set number.

    There are still plenty of artists who do original prints in the traditional style. There's a few print studios in Dublin, Black Church, Graphic Studio, National Print Museum, that teach and exhibit traditional/fine art styles. They'd be good places to talk to if you wanted to know more.

    Sometimes people use limited editions when doing digital or photographic printing as a means of maintaining value.

    If its reproduction prints of pre-existing paintings it would likely be digital prints on some form of high end laser/ink-jet printer. There's also other forms of printing, screen printing (which is traditionally used in poster and t-shirt printing), mono-printing or Giclee.

    It's a pretty broad subject, so it really depends on the print in question. hope that helps in some way though. And anyone is welcome to correct me on this!

    regards
    b


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