Many people choose to purchase prints of their favorite art pieces because they are more affordable, and can often be printed in a size that suits their needs. Here is some information to help you understand the differences in prints and originals so you can make an informed decision when purchasing art.

Original Art

An original art work is the original piece that was made by the artist. It could be a painting, a drawing, or even a collage. There will never be another piece like it. Purchasing original art is an excellent investment, but you should remember that you own only the original work, while the artist always retains the right to make reproductions of the original image unless you agree in writing with the artist at the time of purchase to a different arrangement.

When an artist makes reproductions of the original, they can actually enhance the value of the original, not devalue it. Owning the original of a popular art piece makes the original that much more desirable.

Original Prints

An original print is a piece of art that has been created by one of a variety of printmaking techniques such as etching, linocut, mezzotint, drypoint, engraving, etc. In the making of an original print, the artist individually inks and prints the image from a plate or similar means. It is important to know that an original print is an original artwork, and not a photographic reproduction. Original prints can take a number of forms.

Original Prints - Limited Edition

Most artists who work in printmaking make limited editions of an image. In this case, the artist creates a certain number of prints in whatever hand printed technique they choose, with the goal being that they are all very nearly identical within the parameters of a hand printed technique. These prints will usually include a hand written title, a hand written signature, and a number from the series followed by the total number in the series. For example:

McKees Rocks Factory 3/50 Schorr

With a limited edition of original prints, only the specified total number of prints are produced, and the plate is then destroyed.

Original Prints - Variable Edition

A variable edition is a group of prints that are essentially identical in form, but may vary in another way such as color. In this case, an artist may hand print a series from a plate that has a limited number of total prints, but they may have been printed on different types of papers or in different colors. In this case, you should see a signature that looks like this:

McKees Rocks Factory 3/50 VE Schorr

In this case, the VE stands for Variable Edition. In a variable edition you may have the only piece printed in pink on lavender paper, for example. Many people feel variable editions are a little more special.

Original Prints - Open Edition

An open edition of an original print means that the artist may hand print some pieces from a plate, sell those, and then go back and print some more from that same plate. In this case, the edition is usually not numbered. There are, however, artists who will print and number a set of original prints from a plate, and then if it proves popular, go back and do additional sets instead of destroying the plate. It is, therefore, a good idea to ask about a limited edition to make sure you understand what you are buying. Knowing you are buying an open edition piece shouldn’t make you shy away from the purchase, but it also means you should probably not be expected to pay as much. An open edition may have only a title and signature, or even just a signature, but it can be signed like this:

McKees Rocks Factory #3 Schorr

or

McKees Rocks Factory #3 OE Schorr

Print Reproductions

You may also find the option of purchasing a print from a store such as a framer or a poster store. These are photographic prints where a photo or scan has been made of an original art piece that is then printed by a mechanical means such as a fine art printer, Xerox, or even an inkjet print. There are several advantages to purchasing a reproduction.

A reproduction can be made in a variety of sizes, depending on the quality of the photo or scan. Therefore, you can purchase a print in a size that suits your space, which is usually not the same size as the original piece of art.

A reproduction can also be printed on a wide array of substrates, such as a print on canvas [giclée], a print on wood, a print on aluminum, or even on a variety of papers from glossy poster paper to an archival fine art paper. These methods offer great options for enjoying an art piece in a size and form that suits your personal taste, from very modern to very traditional.

Sometimes print reproductions are offered as signed and numbered limited editions as well, where the artist has hand signed the print reproduction. These are considered more valuable than an unsigned print reproduction, and are usually printed with archival inks on canvas or heavy archival papers. You should expect to pay more for a hand signed piece.

Print reproductions are also sometimes found on other things such as mugs, note cards, and t-shirts.

Final Thoughts

Purchasing an original as opposed to a reproduction is a matter of personal preference. You should feel free to enjoy art in whatever form you choose, understanding what you are purchasing.