1. The exact colors of the original are scanned by a digital laser, with an advanced optical system that takes its image direct from the original. Each color is printed one at a time using oil based inks in overlapping layers onto a unique oil based sheet.
2. Next, a mold is made from the original painting to recreate the surface texture and brushstrokes in bas-relief. A patented silicon gel substance is then poured onto the bas-relief and 72 hours later the mold is removed to create the negative mold.
3. In the last stage the negative mold, the printed oil based substrate, and a unique laminated canvas material are all placed into an oven press and heated to 600-700 degrees Fahrenheit under 35-65 tons of pressure, causing the oil substrate to liquefy with laminated canvas, filling into the cracks and crevices on the mold. Immediately the artagraph is shock frozen with liquid nitrogen leaving a permanent surface texture.

Artist Proof

An Artist Proof is a print set-aside for the artist's use. Usually a select smaller part of an edition, which may or may not be uniqued by the artist.


Cibachrome

Cibachrome images are exposed directly from transparencies. Conventional "chromogenic" or dye-forming systems used to produce other color photographic materials; image-forming dyes are produced chemically during processing, through a reaction of colorless dye couplers with developing agents. Residual dye couplers and silver often result in discoloration of these materials over time.

For Cibachromes the unique color process is just the opposite: pure Azo dyes, found exclusively in Cibachrome materials, are present from the beginingg, and are successfully bleached away during processing. Properly processed Cibachrome materials are free of substances that cause fading. Because Azo Dyes are inherently processes, the brilliance and permanence of Cibachrome color prints are superior to chromogenic "Type C' or Type R" prints.

Cibachrome prints are the highest quality longest lasting photographic material available. They are generally glossy in finish but can also be matte, depending on the artists preference.


Gallery Proof

A Gallery Proof is a print set aside for a Gallery's use; usually for Display Purposes.


Giclee

A Giclee is taken from the French word meaning "to squirt" or "to spray," a Giclee is a print produced by the use of computer technology and a high-quality, large-scale, commercial ink-jet printer which uses organic, water-based inks. These inks are rapidly "squirted" through the micro-jets of the printer onto a surface. The substrate used for a giclee print is much like the one used for the original artwork--usually canvas or high-quality paper--thus creating a piece of artwork amazingly similar to the original. (Also know as "Iris Print")


Hand-Enhance

See Unique.


Hand-Highlight

See Unique


Iris Print

See Giclee


Ilfochrome

See Cibachrome


Limited Edition

A Limited Edition is a set of identical prints, with numerical designation and limitation, and signed by the artist.


Metal Dye

See Cibachrome


Mixed Media

A Mixed Media is a print produced by utilizing two or more printing processes, such as Lithography and Serigraphy.


Offset Lithograph (Lithograph)

Offset Lithography is a modern version of the old stone lithograph technique. Today, the image is rendered photographically onto metal plates and treated so that only specific areas will retain the color. Next, the paper is run through the press picking up a different color at each plate. Printed on the finest 100% acid free paper.

The history of lithography begins in 1798 invented by A. Senefelder, but pioneered as an art form by Toulouse-Lautrec. The design was drawn with a greasy chalk, called "Tusche," on stone, usually limestone, which was wetted. The water would run off the chalked areas and the greasy ink would take on the areas but not on the damp stone. With offset Lithography, virtually, there is not a variance from the first print or the last. Yet, with the stone lithography method there is not a variance from the first print or the last. Yet, with the stone lithography method there is a good deal of variance between the prints. Usually, the later prints are not as definable.


Open Edition

An Open Edition is a set of identical prints without numerical designation or limitation.


Poster

A Poster is a four-color lithographic print, usually with type on or around the image promoting the title of the artwork, the artist, the publisher, a show and/or an event.


Publisher

Publisher is the company that represents an artist and arranges the reproduction, or publication, of his/her artwork.


Published Original

A Published Original is the Original Painting that reproductions are made from. Reproductions may include such things as Posters, Lithographs, Serigraphs, Giclees, Cibachromes and other Art forms.


Replacement Value

The Replacement Value is the amount it would cost to replace an artwork with the same or similar image of the same or similar substrate, image size, and edition.


Repligraph

The Repligraph is a special art form, which reproduces art onto canvas. The process produces an oil base, continuous tone, color dye, and film layer, from the original painting or transparency. The color dye materials are then fused onto fine art canvas by a melting system technology, sealing the colors permanently. The process incorporates the latest film technology and sensitive cyan magenta and yellow coupler. The "dye" transfer" technique allows the image to become part of the canvas. Unlike other canvas reproductions replighhraphs will never separate from the canvas. The repligraph is exceptionally durable and highly resistant to light, heat, and water.


Secondary Market

The Secondary Market is generally, a place where previously owned artwork can be sold or bought.


Serigraph

Serigraphy, also called silk-screen printing, is a print making technique based on stenciling. It is a three-step process:

1. First, the screens are created. A separate screen is created for every color that exists in the original art.
2. Then the images are stencil designed onto the screen, usually with the aid of photosensitive emulsions. A new stencil is created for each color to be printed. For every different color, even slight shades blue for a sky or green for leaves requires a new screen and pass of color.
3. Next, the screen is positioned overhigh quality acid free paper. The paint is pushed through the screen with a squeegee, only passing through the portions of the mesh that are not blocked by the stencil. The paint is applied one color at a time, usually the light colors first going down to the darker colors. Then the print is laid to dry. Generally, they are printed one color a day.

Supergloss (Also See Cibachrome)

The Supergloss, sometimes-called masterchrome or chromograph, prints are made from an extremely durable polyester-based material. Similar to Cibachromes, the Supergloss image is exposed directly from transparencies, eliminating the need for time consuming costly and resolution robbing inter-negatives. (Positive to a positive image) They yield maximum color saturation, while minimizing contrast problems inherent in other materials. Light stability tests prove that this Fuji Supergloss material is almost equivalent to Cibachrome in its longevity. They are generally glossy in finish but can also be matte, depending on the artists preference.


Unique

To Unique or Enhance an image on a print --usually by painting over, or "highlighting", the focal points of the image with original paint, thus giving the print "texture," "dimension," and added "distinction." (Also known as "Hand Enhance" or "Hand Highlight")