REPRODUCTION TECHNIQUES

Gallery Wrap Canvas versus Museum Wrap Canvas 
Gallery wrapped canvas means that the image continues around the edge of the stretcher bar. Generally if you order a gallery wrap canvas you do not intend to frame the work, as the depth of the stretcher bar is generally between 1 ½” and 2” deep. This is considered ready to hang. 

A museum wrap canvas means that there will be white showing around the sides of the work. This form of stretched canvas is intended to be framed and the depth of the stretcher bar is usually ¾” to 1” deep.

What Is A Giclee (zhee-clay) Print?
This is a new and sophisticated, computer aided technique, printed with special ink. Much has been said about this process in recent years, particularly in regard to the longevity of the inks used. However, newly developed inks have been tested to show a “life” of 70 to 100 years eliminating much of the concern over this issue. The colors of these reproductions are especially bright and pure, and the accuracy to the original is unlike any other reproduction process. The papers used are quite heavy watercolor types and edition sizes are usually kept under 300.

What Are Lithographic/Offset Reproductions?
An "Offset Reproduction" is the most common type of fine art print. Also known as "offset lithographs", the process begins with the original painting being photographed and separated into 4 negatives; red, blue, yellow, and black. From the negatives, special light sensitive plates are created or “burned” for each color. The plates are fastened to drums on a printing press and partially submerged in the corresponding ink color. The inks are rolled onto the sheets of paper as they’re fed through the press. The majority of printing is done this way and is what most people refer to as "prints". An offset lithograph is an entirely mechanical process.

What Is An Open Edition Print?
Often, an artist or publisher will decide to make an image available to the public in unlimited quantities. There is no predetermined edition size. Occasionally, it is a smaller sized version of one that was previously published as a limited edition print. Sometimes it may be a vignette, or just a section of the original. Most often, the art will not have been previously published. The paper and inks used are usually of lesser quality than those used for limited editions, and the artist neither signs nor numbers the prints. As a result open edition prints are far less expensive.

Art for Investment
One cannot say that this does not sometimes prove exciting and fruitful. However, it is not unusual to find that a print does not appreciate in value. Buying art for investment is not usually recommended. The person who buys a work of art because he/she really likes it will never be disappointed. If it is a reproduction or original that does indeed go up in value over the years, it is an added benefit. Some believe that collecting an “emerging”, living artist’s work,has much greater potential for investment appreciation, than past artists’ works.

How to Care For Artwork
As with any piece of art careful attention to handling and placement are important for best preservation. In a few words, keep out of direct sunlight and away from extreme heat and moisture. If a print is purchased with the idea of reselling it at some point, it needs to be kept in perfect condition. Handling in such away as to avoid any creasing is necessary.