Collector’s Guide – Prints and Multiples

Not just simple prints, but true works of art! Lithographs, screenprints, limited editions created by the greatest artists of all time. How should you navigate this world? What should you choose?

From Pablo Picasso to Andy Warhol, graphic artworks have gained increasing interest, and more and more collectors are competing to acquire the most beautiful multiples and the rarest, most prestigious editions. 

However, many are still skeptical, wondering why prints can reach very high prices; why collectors are so attracted to this type of artwork, and why they should buy them. 

Let’s start by clarifying that we are not talking about “simple prints”; this is not a regular print of a file from a computer. These are, in fact, true works of art, conceived by the artists with a precise logic and a specific creative process. In fact, there is not much difference between a unique piece and a limited edition. The real difference lies in the quantity: if an Andy Warhol canvas, a one-of-a-kind piece, exists in a single copy in the world, a limited edition (for example, a screenprint) by Andy Warhol exists in a specific number of copies worldwide, with certain characteristics and usually signed and numbered by the artist himself. 

Different Types of Graphic Works There are many different types of graphic works, all with specific and distinct characteristics, but the three most well-known techniques are engraving, lithography, and screenprinting. 

Engraving The technique of engraving consists of creating marks on a hard matrix (usually metal) by the artist. This matrix, once inked, is pressed onto a sheet of paper using a press, creating a copy of the engraving. There are multiple engraving techniques, generally divided into two main groups: relief techniques and intaglio techniques. In the first case, the artist sculpts the matrix, and it is the raised areas of the plate that will be inked and pressed, creating the whites in the work. In the second case, using an engraving needle, the artist scratches an image onto a metal plate covered with wax. The plate is then immersed in acid, which corrodes the exposed metal from the scratched lines. The longer the plate remains in the acid, the deeper and darker the lines will be. The plate is then cleaned, inked, and wiped, leaving only the engraved lines filled with ink. The image is printed in reverse, and a recess along the edges of the plate is left, known as the “plate mark.” 

Lithography 

Using the lithographic technique, the artist draws directly onto a stone plate (usually limestone) with pencils, pens, and brushes that deposit a greasy substance along the drawn lines. Thanks to the ability to create the composition directly on the stone, much like on paper, this technique is characterized by an immense freedom and variety of possible works. The stone matrix is then dampened with water, which adheres only to the areas where no grease is present. The ink, which is also enriched with greasy substances, is then applied to the entire surface, adhering only to the lines drawn, as it is repelled by the water. 

Finally, the stone is placed on a lithographic press and covered with wet paper and cardboard. A pressure bar ensures that the force is evenly applied to the image. The image is printed in reverse, with multiple stone matrices used to create more complex images with multiple colors. 

Screen Printing 

Screen printing is a printing process using one or more colors, where the form consists of a silk screen stretched over a frame. The silk is degreased and cleaned before different methods are used to distinguish areas that should be permeable to ink from those that should be impermeable. During printing, the frame, mounted on hinges, is lowered (but not completely) onto the surface that will receive the impression. The artist performing the screen print pours the ink along the upper edge of the matrix, spreading it across the entire surface. They then proceed with printing, lowering the screen completely so that the ink passes through the open mesh of the silk and is transferred onto the underlying surface. 

Simple prints or true works of art? 

Although all the types and techniques of printing mentioned above involve the reproduction of an image in a series, it is clear that these printing processes are much more than a mere “copy.” As we have seen, these multiples are genuine works of art, conceived by the artist as a unique piece, and, with the help of the techniques described and highly specialized technicians, they are produced in very limited editions. 

Often, these works are also extremely important for the artistic path of an artist, created during particular moments in their life, or chosen as a true working method by artists like Andy Warhol, whose screen prints are no less valuable than a true one-of-a-kind piece. 

Main aspects of a limited edition 

Artwork created in limited editions has a set of parameters to pay attention to: 

Numbering: Prints and multiples made in limited editions are typically distinguished by an edition number, usually written as a fraction, for example, 22/99. The number on the right of the slash indicates the size of the edition (in this case, 99), while the number on the left is the number of the individual print. The numbering is usually indicated in pencil. 

An artist may also produce a limited number of artist’s proofs, often marked as A/P, which are nearly identical to the standard edition. Again, fractions may be used to indicate the total number of proofs and the specific number (e.g., A/P 2/3). Other proofs may be made at an earlier stage when the artist and printer are developing the image or testing different compositions. These are known as state proofs, trial proofs, or color proofs, and they may be unique, with differences in color combinations, paper types, or sizes. This type of edition is often highly sought after by collectors, as each print will have slight variations in colors or details. For example, Andy Warhol’s screen prints, with their trial proofs and color proofs, are among the most coveted works in his print market (they are generally labeled with the term “TP” – Trial Proof). 

Signature: In most cases, after producing a limited edition, the artist personally signs each print at the bottom. 

Catalogue Raisonné: For the most renowned and sought-after artists in the global collecting market, such as Andy Warhol, Pablo Picasso, Marc Chagall, James Rosenquist, Robert Rauschenberg, Roy Lichtenstein, and others, the graphic works created during their lifetimes are summarized and cataloged in so-called “Catalogue Raisonnés,” in which the details of each edition are listed, including the technique, dimensions, title, year, signature, and any stamps, etc. It is crucial that a print matches all of its characteristics in the catalogue raisonné to verify its authenticity. 

Different Types of Paper 

Every artist adapts the medium to their printing style, also depending on the final effect they want to achieve. In general catalogues of famous artists, the type of paper used by the artist is always indicated, often along with the presence (or absence) of a watermark. 

On one hand, there are artists who prefer to use thick, high-quality paper; on the other hand, there are artists like Andy Warhol, whose screenprints were made on thin, inexpensive paper, as they were intended to be appreciated by a mass audience. 

Print Studios 

The quality of a limited edition artwork often depends heavily on the technical skills and materials used by the print studio working with the artist. Among the most famous print studios in the world are ULAE in West Islip, Long Island, Tyler Graphics in Mount Kisco, Gemini G.E.L. in Los Angeles, and Paragon Press in London. But there are many other studios around the world producing works of exceptional quality! 

Some printers and publishers use a dry, inked, or stamped embossing on the paper to indicate that an edition was printed in their studio. 

Why Buy Multiples and Limited Editions? 

Limited edition and multiple artworks can serve different roles within a collection. 

Collectors often buy limited edition works and multiples to enrich and complete an artist’s career, frequently with themes and compositions that are not present in paintings and sculptures. For instance, Picasso and Jasper Johns’ prints showcase the evolution of different subjects and also reveal their growth as printmakers throughout their careers. 

Multiples and limited editions also offer the opportunity to acquire an authentic, original work by a renowned artist at a lower price compared to a one-of-a-kind piece. 

Often, these types of artworks represent an excellent way to begin a collection, providing an exciting introduction to different styles and artists at more accessible prices. 

We can confidently assert that some limited editions are extremely fascinating, sometimes even more than a unique piece, with the ability to captivate our attention and interest. Many multiples are of sublime quality and, even though limited, always represent a “piece” of art history and, at the same time, a “piece” of the artist!