A collector's guide: tips for choosing a graphic work
What is a graphic work?
A graphic work is a true work of art from which a very limited and controlled number of prints are produced. It encompasses a range of techniques, from traditional ones like woodcutting to more modern ones such as offset printing. Although the process is constantly evolving, they all originate in the same way: the artist transfers an image they created onto a support such as a metal plate, wood, stone, or a roller, to a surface, usually paper or fabric. The most well-known techniques are engraving, etching, lithography, and silkscreen printing. All of them have the similarities and particularities specified below.
Engraving
With an engraving needle, the artist sculpts an image onto a metal plate covered in wax. This plate is submerged in an acid that eats away at the metal exposed by the scratched lines. The longer the plate remains in the acid, the deeper and darker the line will be. The plate is removed, cleaned, and inked. Then, dampened paper and a protective cloth are placed over the plate, which is compressed through an engraving press: the pressure forces the paper into the engraved lines to pick up the ink. The image is thus printed in reverse, and the edges of the plate leave a mark, known as a 'plate mark'.
Etching
It consists of applying varnish or wax onto a plate or sheet of metal alloy (iron and zinc, or copper or brass). An image is drawn on this varnish with a sharp instrument, and the plate is then submerged in an acid and water solution (etching solution) which corrodes the metal in the drawn areas. As with engraving, the deeper the immersion, the deeper the grooves created, which will later allow for a greater amount of ink to be held in these grooves when the varnish is removed and printing takes place. Printing is done by saturating the surface of the plate with ink, placing a sheet of paper over it, and passing it through a press.Lithography
The artist draws on a stone using special lithographic crayons or greasy ink. The stone is treated with a chemical solution that ensures the image attracts ink while the blank areas repel it. A solvent "fixes" the image, and the surface is dampened with water. Oil-based or greasy ink is applied to the stone with a roller, adhering only to the image. The stone is then placed in a lithographic press, covered with damp paper and cardboard, and a pressure bar ensures that force is applied evenly across the image, which will be printed in reverse. Separate stones can also be used for complex multi-color images. (See the history of lithography)
Screen printing
The image is carved onto a sheet of paper or plastic film, creating a stencil. This stencil is placed in a frame, which has a layer of fine mesh stretched across it, forming a "screen". A sheet of paper is placed under the screen, and ink is pushed through the stencil from above, using a squeegee. Only the cut-out parts of the stencil will be printed. In addition to stencils, a photographic image can be reproduced on the screen using light-sensitive emulsions.
Is a print just a copy of the original?
As already mentioned, an 'original' print is technically a unique work, since a small, limited and controlled number of prints, called an edition, are produced from it. This edition is usually written in fraction form, for example, 29/100, by hand by the artist, who also signs each work. The number on the right indicates the size of the edition, in this case 100, while the number on the left indicates the individual work number. An artist may also produce a limited number of artist's proofs, often marked as AP, which are identical in nature to the standard edition. Prints of lithographs, woodcuts, etchings, or screenprints are therefore true works of art as important as drawings or other works on paper. Most great artists have dedicated themselves to printmaking because it has the advantage of being more affordable and, at the same time, maintaining the characteristics of paintings: quality, value, investment category, and appreciation.
Paper used and margins, why are they important?
The choice of paper is an important part of the printing process, as it can directly influence the appearance of the printed image. Furthermore, when observing a print, it is advisable to note whether the work has been printed on the entire sheet or if the drawing has margins, which means the paper has not been subsequently trimmed. Trimming is a problem that affects value (less so in the case of screen prints, as these are often full-sheet prints).
What is the role of graphic art in a collection?
Prints, whether engravings, lithographs, or screenprints, can be an excellent way to start building one's own collection. Their lower prices compared to paintings allow buyers to acquire an original artwork without having to spend large sums. Furthermore, prints allow for experimenting with or becoming familiar with different styles and artists in the same way as other mediums, at a more attractive price.
How should I care for my graphic artwork?
After acquiring a work, it is important to consider its care for long-term preservation, as both its main material, paper fiber, and the various inks used during printing are highly sensitive to environmental changes. Therefore, it is recommended to frame it correctly and find a place to display it away from direct light, especially if it is a work with bright colors. It is also advisable to keep the work well away from any sources of humidity and, above all, never trim the sheet to try to fit it into a smaller frame.
