Art Terminology
When making a purchase of art work, it is important to make an informed decision on what kind of reproduction you wish to own. Here is a short list of some terminology which can prove to be useful when purchasing art.
Original
Any work considered to be an authentic creation by an artist, rather than a copy, reproduction or imitation. Original comes from the word Origin.

Edition
The authorized number of impressions made from a single image, including all numbered prints and proofs; a limited edition has a specified number noted on the impression. Edition size: number of prints in the edition. The same image may exist in other editions in different media or sizes.

Limited Edition
The preset number of prints, after which, no more will be made in the same format (e.g., same material, same medium or same size of piece.) The first number indicates the number of the piece; the second number indicates the total quantity of the edition, (e.g., 99/200)

Signed and Numbered
A print bearing the artist's  signature and two numbers that indicate when the print was signed within the edition (6/200) would mean the 6th print signed from an edition of 100). While some people enjoy collecting specific numbers within the edition, there is no value distinction to the number.

Artist's Proofs
Impressions set aside (usually for the artist's use) from the numbered edition. An artist's proof or "épreuve d'artiste" is designated by the initials AP or EP, but is otherwise identical to those from the edition. Typically, 10% of the edition total is designated as A/P, or in the case of a small edition, five graphics are usually so designated.

Printer's Proof
An impression typically set aside from the numbered edition for the use of the printer, but otherwise identical to those from the numbered works of art in a limited edition. This is generally designated by the initials PP.

Monotype
A unique kind of print made by painting a smooth metal, creating a texture that is not possible to paint directly on paper.

Remarque
A small, personalized drawing or symbol that an artist adds, usually near his or her signature, on a print.

Hand Embellished
Limited edition prints on which new material is added to the print. In many cases the embellishment is by the artist's own hand, on other cases, under the artist's supervision.

Gouache
A technique that employs water color painting with opaque colors mixed with water and gum.

Etching
Made by covering a plate with an acid-resistant substance, drawing on the plate with a sharp tool, and immersing the plate in an acid bath which eats into the spaces where the drawing tool has sliced through the resistant substance. The plate is inked, the ink settles into  the sliced-out spaces, the plate surface is wiped clean and the paper is pressed into it absorbing the ink from the sliced-out spaces.

Serigraph
Also commonly known as silk-screening, serigraphy is a time-honored technique, based on stenciling, for creating prints by hand. Ink or paint is carefully brushed through a fine fabric screen, portions of which have been masked for impermeability. For each color, a different portion of the screen must be masked, and each color must be allowed to dry before the next is applied.

Lithograph
Made by drawing on stone or a metal plate (usually with a greasy crayon), dampening the plate with water, then inking the plate. The ink sticks to the greasy areas, but not the damp areas; when paper is pressed against the stone or plate, the ink from the greasy areas is transferred. (Note: each color must be added separately!)

Mixed-Media
A painting or print that contains more than one medium and/or material

Bas-Relief
This art, along with high relief, is known collectively as relief sculpture, which is meant to be seen primarily from one direction, as opposed to sculpture which is in the round or full round. Bas-relief is a French term meaning "low-raised work".

Glicee Print
Ink-jet technology specifically for fine art reproduction that produces over four million droplets of ink each second and combines to form more than two thousand shades of color. This modern method of creating reproductions is gaining in popularity because of its ability to closely resemble the original. Giclee is a French word meaning "to spray" pronounced "Zhee-Clay".

Serio-Lithograph
A recent invention that combines the best of two accepted fine art mediums, the serigraph and the lithograph. Typically printed on high quality art papers, a traditional lithograph is the foundation of the reproduction. The rest of the printing is done in the sikscreen process. Color separations are designed to enhance the colors or add texture and gloss in various areas. The color separations are created by hand, painted in blank India ink onto a sheet of clear mylar and then "burned" into a screen. Each color is printed one at a time. In most cases a gloss varnish is added as a final touch. This step adds a soft shine to the lithographic surfaces and enhances the gloss of the silkscreened areas.

Cancelled Plate
A plate marked by the artist to show that the edition has been completed.

Engraving
Made by incising a plate (or piece of wood) with a sharp tool, then inking and printing the same as an Etching.

Certification of Authenticity
A document provided to the Buyer by the Seller including information such as medium, edition, title, size, artist, and warranting the authenticity of the artwork.