Glossary of Terms

Mounted

Most publishers mounts are fairly standard. A mount is an off - white card surround that protects the print which is carefully laid out inside. It is usually approximately 3 inches wide, and sits as a border to the print when it is framed. Some mounts may have threads of colour in them to pick out certain colours in the print.

Unmounted / Print Only

This print is not mounted (see above), and will be sent out flat packed carefully wrapped in tissue to protect it. You may choose the mount yourself when getting the print framed.

Slipped

This is generally simply referred to as a ‘slip’. This is a wooden surround that is usually cream or black depending on the image and is about 2 inches wide. It is used on prints and originals that are on board or canvas instead of paper, in order to protect them.


Framed

Once in a while we will sell a print framed. Generally this means that we have bought the piece pre-framed, and so need to sell it as such. A frame is, of course, the metal/wood/plastic surround with a glass cover, in which you may hang the print. The frame itself is not usually open for negotiation in these instances.

Numbered

The handwritten number, which appears on each print in the bottom left hand corner, is vital as it guarantees not only the size but also the authenticity of the edition. Numbers are inscribed to indicate the number of the print within the total number (e.g. 4/295 means the fourth print in a set of 295 identical prints) The plates, films and materials involved in the reproduction are all destroyed, following printing, which further ensures their authenticity.

Guild Stamped

The Fine Art Trade Guild's stamp is a unique embossed stamp of limitation. First it gives you absolute confidence that the stated limit of the edition is ensured. Secondly, it confirms that the print has been produced in accordance with the Guild's strict regulations, using high quality acid-free paper and fade resistant inks. Thirdly it testifies to the fact that your print is a faithful reproduction of the original painting, approved by the artist.

No Markings / Not Stamped

This could mean that the print is an open edition, or indeed a calendar print which is of smaller value than a limited edition. Please call us for further details on the print you are interested in.

Sculpture

This piece is a sculpture, and will be sent out encased in polystyrene within a box. For further descriptions of sculptures, please call us directly.

Stretched

When a piece is on canvas, it is often stretched. This means that the canvas is pulled and stretched over 4 wooden bars which lie behind the print. This usually gives the print a depth of approximately 2 inches.

Unstretched

This means that the piece is a canvas piece, but will be sent out as print only.

Giclées

Giclée (zhee-clay) is a French term meaning "spray of ink". This process utilises a revolutionary new technique whereby a continuous inkjet printer sprays a staggering four million droplets of ink per second onto the paper or canvas. Requiring highly sophisticated printers and specially tested colourfast inks, this blend of fine art and state-of-the-art technology produces exceptionally good reproductions.

Giclée prints render deep, saturated colours and retain minute detail, subtle tints and blends. The prints may be hand embellished by the artist using paint, ink and gold foil stamping for a mixed media effect.

Lithography

This printing technique uses a planographic process in which prints are pulled on a special press from a flat stone or metal surface. The surface has been chemically sensitised so that ink sticks only to the design areas, and is repelled by the non-image areas. Lithography was invented in Germany in 1798. The early history of lithography is dominated by great French artists such as Daumier and Delacroix, and later by Degas, Toulouse-Lautrec, Picasso, Braque and Miro.

Offset Lithography

A special photo-mechanical technique in which the image to be printed is transferred to the negative plates and printed onto papers. Offset lithography is very well adapted to colour printing. In the process of producing limited editions the finest reprographic techniques are used to split the original painting into the four printing colours. High quality mechanical printing then enables the translation of this image onto paper.

Serigraphs / Silkscreen's

This method is a modern development of stencil printing. Paint is brushed through a number of fine silk screens, held taut in a wooden frame, onto the paper. One screen is used for each shade.

The screen traditionally used comprises a fine weave silk, or similar, pulled over and secured to the frame. The silk is then masked excepting those areas where the paint is required to pass through. As each individual colour and shade requires a separate screen the whole process is lengthy and requires considerable skill. Slowly then, screen by screen, with precise alignment the final image is worked towards. The artist is involved during the creation of each edition, approving various stages and often making changes and additions, adding to the originality of the final item.

Original Mixed-Media Prints

These prints are hand-crafted by the artist using a variety of materials and techniques making each piece unique.

Original Etchings

Created individually using a traditional etching plate and needle, then hand-coloured by the artist. This method ensures an unusual degree of clarity and strength of colour.

Hand-Embellishment

Throughout our website you will see images described as 'hand-embelished'. When the fine art print has been produced, it is placed alongside the original; under the direction of the artist certain elements of the image are then highlighted with hand-applied paints, inks, or gold and silver leaf. This is done to bring the piece closer to the essence of the original, and the effect is phenomenal.