There are many different types of art prints. Art prints are a wonderful and affordable way to bring colour, magic and joy into your home.
But what are the different types of art prints you can choose from?
Today, we will dig deep into the wonderful world of art prints so you can become more of a print connoisseur. Here are 3 types of art prints and their special features.
Type of Art Prints Number 1 - Traditional Printmaking
Many artists since 1st Century AD have used traditional printmaking techniques such as woodcuts, etching and lino-cuts.
This is an art form in itself, not just merely to reproduce a picture.
The image is carved into the surface of wood, metal or lino using special equipment.
(In the case of metal, wax is used to cover the plate first. After the image is etched, it’s then washed with acid. Acid and wax are then washed off.)
After the image has been carved, printing ink is coated on to the etched surface and used as a printing block to recreate the image. Both block and paper are run through a press or weighted rollers
The beauty with this type of print is that each one will have its own special uniqueness.
Brief History of Print Making Art:
Famous wood cut artists include Hokusai and Durer.
For etchers, take a look at Hogarth and Rembrandt-van-Rijn.
For famous lino cutters, check out Henri Gaudier-Brzeska and Picasso.
Other forms of traditional art printing include silk screen printing and lithography.
Art Prints Number 2: Giclee Art Prints
Oh Giclee art prints! Pronounced Gee-clay, this is one of the most popular forms of modern print.
The majority of the art prints I have in my art print shop are giclee.
That’s becasue when I received my first giclee art print sample, I just fell in love.
Why?
Well the colours are outstandingly beautiful and so true to the original painting. And they have this beautiful texture. They actually feel like an original painting. Oh and the detail!
I remember when I opened the envelope, I actually gasped.
It was like holding a piece of magic in my hand.
Giclee is a printing process in which microscopic dots of ink are printed on specially treated paper to build colour and the final printed image.
This is what gives them value. That and +100 year longevity!
Art Prints Number 3: Inkjet Prints and C-Type Prints
Unlike Giclee which uses at least 12 inks, inkjet printing is based on the four-colour method Cyan, magenta, yellow and black.
This is perfect for greeting cards, postcards and art prints on luxury card.
A quality printers using high resolution images will produce excellent results.
I was astounded by the prints I recently had created for my FREE art offer.
And that is why I have included a selection of card based prints in my art print shop.
Finally, C -type printing is a process using lasers and LEDs to project and print the image on special photographic paper.
In fact it was popularised and trade marked by Kodak for many years. It is a beautiful way to reproduce photography
