Poster Art Prints Vs. Original Prints

By Author: Bob Danner
Total Articles: 3
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Our fascination with art is something that we express in a lot of ways, mainly because art is in itself a form of expression for us. From the road signs you see when you travel to the artwork that you hang on your walls at home or your workplace, art is unmistakably present, sending out any message you want to convey. Find out more about the everyday things and images that make for our own definition of what art is.

As such, it is no wonder that it has evolved into many forms, from originally being painted on canvass it can now be photographically transferred to paper or transferred from a single metal plate. However, there is a bit of a confusion as to whether you are getting a poster art print, an original print or an original masterpiece and unless you understand the nuances that differentiate one from the other. If you want to get an idea of just how close the resemblance can be, go online and visit lemontreeart.com.au and discover how you can easily end up having a poster art print when you want an original masterpiece.

First it may be ...
... important to note what printmaking is and the types that are popular with both art collectors and normal artsy folk these days. Fine art printmaking is the concept of creating a master plate known as the matrix which is used to transfer the image to paper. Among the many types of popular printmaking these days include the giclee (pronounced “jeeclay”), relief, intaglio, lithography and serigraphy.

The giclee is a digital method of fine art printmaking. It is the French word for “to spray on” or “to spray ink.” With giclee reproductions, highly sophisticated photographs of the original painting are scanned and digitally stored in a computer and sent directly to a super high resolution inkjet printer. Miniscule ink jets that are finer than human hair are sprayed onto the paper, one line at a time until the image is completed.

Relief on the other hand, is the oldest form of printmaking. The basic principle behind this type is to create images from the raised surface of the matrix onto which the artist draws the image, cutting out the parts that have nothing to do with the image. This block is then inked and a piece of paper is laid over it, which the artist rubs down hard on using their hands or a smooth hard object before running it through a printing press.

Intaglio is the exact opposite of relief. In this process the artist carves rather than draws the image onto the matrix then rubs ink into the carved lines. With intaglio the paper will be previously soaked in water and when it is laid over the matrix, it gets squeezed through the printing press and pushed into the grooves of the inked lines, transferring the image onto the paper.

As for lithography and serigraphy, both processes involve large prints that can be made from any single matrix without affecting the quality of the image, making use of the concept of stenciling as a way of transferring an image onto paper or even on T-shirts, printed fabrics and more popularly on posters and can even be used for wallpaper designs. Poster art prints are the most popular types of lithography and serigraphy and are mass produced.

Poster art prints are also generally purchased with certificates of authenticity signed by the artist, art dealer or gallery owner where it was purchased. Check out poster art prints at the Lemon Tree Art website and get an idea just why they are popular with both art collectors and non-collectors alike. Poster prints are usually identified by their dot matrix pattern that is similar to the images you would see in books and magazines. They will also have sharp, clean and even edges and have an identifying number and copyright logo printed in small letters.

Quality-wise both poster art prints and original prints are very similar which is why people tend to confuse one with the other. Original prints are done with a matrix, which can be a single metal plate, stone block, wooden block or screen that is hand-made by the artist. Original prints are traditionally signed by the artists, numbered in pencil and labeled as limited edition prints. Unlike poster art prints, original prints are good investments and bring with them a level of status quite above mass reproductions.

People from all walks of life have different preferences when it comes to poster art prints but nothing comes close to their love of animal art. There’s just something powerfully appealing about images of animals both meek and mild that captivate art lovers so much that it is no wonder animal art sold both online and off enjoy brisk business. Business owners like to display animal artwork in their offices as a symbol of power and authority. View animal art on lemontreeart.com.au and see for yourself just what is it about them that makes people want to buy every one that’s on sale.

So now that you know the differences between poster art prints and original prints, you will be able to buy exactly what you want from any online or offline art dealer. However, it may be important to note that some giclee prints have textured brush marks and signed by the artist, making it possible to be mistaken for an original. Make sure you consult with the gallery owner or do your own research on the artist before going ahead and making the purchase.

Whether you prefer to check out animal paintings at lemontreeart.com.au or just any other prints that captures your fancy, remember that what matters is how much you like it and how much you are willing to spend for it. Even more important is how the images speak to you and the beauty and harmony you know it will bring to wherever you decide to display it.