What is an original artist's print?

Here at St. Jude’s, we’re inspired by printmaking – in all its forms.

So what is an original artist’s print?

At its simplest, we define an original print as an artwork that has been manually printed by the artist (or with some processes, printed under the artist’s direct supervision). It is not a reproduction.

The artist will have created an image on block, stone, plate or screen from which the final print is produced. They will choose the paper that the image is printed on and will determine the edition size of the print (the number of copies printed).

Once printed, the artist will then number and sign each of the prints.

We’re in the process of putting together some information on the printing processes explored here, but in the meantime you can view the prints by medium:

Linocut | Wood engraving | Lithograph | Screenprint | Woodcut | Vinyl print

And what is an Artist’s Proof?

Artists may produce a number of additional prints for their archives – though there would never generally be any more than 10% of the total edition number. Sometimes an artist will choose to sell these – but all will be signed by the artist and marked ‘A/P’ or ’Artist’s Proof’.

What is a giclée print?

Giclée prints are blurring the definition of ‘limited edition’ and for the time being, we’ll be choosing not to sell them.

A giclée print is a rather grand term for an ‘inkjet’ print. It derives its name from the French verb for ‘squirt, spurt or spray’, as generally giclée prints are produced with an inkjet printer (where the ink ‘spurts’ through a nozzle).

You will often come across “limited edition giclée” copies of paintings and prints – but it’s always worth remembering that these are reproductions – not originals.

However, we’re not against the use of digital techniques in printmaking – there are a number of artists producing work for which the digital print IS the finished result – and many combine digital and traditional techniques.