There are many type of fine art reproductions available, although each reproduction process is different and produces an image that usually looks different from the original artwork. Fine art reproduction printing includes giclees, lithographs, and prints. Artworks can also be printed on canvas or etching paper. Artagraphs and serigraphs are also popular fine art reproduction methods. All of these methods allow consumers to purchase his or her favorite artwork or high-quality decoration pieces for showcase in the home or office.
Giclee is a type of fine art reproductions printing process that produces a high quality print. The artwork is scanned and then printed onto canvas, photo paper, paper, vinyl, or another surface. The ink-jet printers use archival quality paints to create an image that is smooth, meaning the small dots created by traditional printers cannot be seen. Giclee reproductions use a wider range of colors than some other printing technologies, and the paint will resist fading for many years. By using ink jet printers, artists and manufacturers can produce on-demand prints, and they can change the size of the print as necessary.
Lithographs are created by drawing a mirror image of the artwork onto metal plates using a crayon or greasy substance. Ink is then rolled over the plate, attaching only to the crayon outline that was created. Pressure is placed upon a piece of paper or material that covers the drawing, which transfers the images to a sheet of paper. This fine art reproductions process is repeated using different metal drawings to add in red, blue, and yellow.
Artagraph fine art reproductions appeal to some people because the technology used to print the artwork recreates the image, colors, and texture of the original painting. A laser scanner is used to identify and replicate the original colors used in the painting. The oils created using this technology are applied to the painting’s surface, and then a silicone mold made from the original artwork is laid on top of the painting. After this, the artwork is baked at a high temperature. This process produces artworks that replicate the look and feel of the original, but are expensive to both produce and purchase.
Serigraphs, also known as screen prints, are created using a process where a thin screen is placed upon a sheet of paper. A stencil has been created in the screen, and the artist, using a ink brush or squeegee, pushes ink back and forth across the screen. Each color in the painting requires that a new screen be created and certain areas of the screen have to be blocked to prevent the color from transferring. These can be reproduced using the same screens originally created, but the process must be repeated for each artwork.