Collecting 101

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Types of prints

The art of printmaking encompasses myriad techniques, which have evolved over several centuries. Here, we’ll discuss some of the main techniques: intaglio, relief, lithography and screenprinting.

Intaglio printing involves cutting the image into a surface, most commonly seen in engravings and etchings.

The engraving technique has been used in printmaking since the 15th century, in which incisions are made directly onto a metal plate using a fine engraving tool called a burin. Varying the pressure of the burin creates lines of different widths and weights when the image is pressed onto paper.

While etching also uses a metal plate, the surface is covered with a waxy layer called ‘ground’, and the artist scratches the image into the ground, rather than the metal itself. The plate is then immersed in acid, which eats into the metal that is exposed by the drawn lines. Since the Renaissance, this technique has been employed to create richly detailed images. Etchings can be monochrome or combined with aquatint.

Relief printing is when the area around the image is cut away from the surface, typically wood or, in recent times, linoleum.

Woodcut and wood engraving use the same principle: an image is created in relief by cutting away the negative areas on a block of wood. The difference is in how the wood is used: woodcuts use the side grain whereas wood engraving uses the end of the block of wood, which allows for greater detail.

Linocut became popular as an alternative to woodcut in the twentieth century; a thin layer of linoleum is mounted on a block of wood and the same process is followed as with woodcutting. It’s favoured by artists as the surface is easier to cut and the material can withstand more pressings.

In lithography, the artist draws onto the surface with a grease-based crayon, which attracts printing ink. This technique creates a fluid, brush-mark effect akin to painting, an effect employed by David Hockney in Pool Made with Paper and Blue Ink for Book.

Screenprinting is a type of stencil printing: a screen is made from tightly stretched fabric (usually silk) and areas are blocked out with stencils. Ink is then forced through the non-blocked areas of the fabric onto paper. This technique is suited to large, bold designs, such as David Shrigley's I've Got Your Lipstick.

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From Old Masters to Pop Art

The origins of printmaking stretch back thousands of years, but the earliest dated print is the Diamond Sutra, from 898 AD. Created by a Buddhist monk in China, this religious text is illustrated with the first known woodblock prints. In Europe, woodcut prints appeared at the beginning of the 15^th century, and became a popular way to disseminate religious images and decorate playing cards.

The Prints and Multiples department at Bonhams champions printmaking in all its forms, and we handle a broad array of prints. We strive to showcase the ‘avant-garde of printmaking’ and celebrate those who have pushed the medium forward. Our Prints and Multiples sales have set auction records for contemporary artists such as Harland Miller, Damien Hirst, The Connor Brothers, David Shrigley and Tracey Emin, as well as the iconic street artist Banksy.

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Prints on the market

There is a huge range of prints on the secondary market, at prices ranging from surprisingly affordable to stratospheric. The value of a print is based on a matrix of factors. Perhaps most importantly, the desire for the artist on the market (there’s a reason why Picasso holds the record for the most expensive print of all time). Then there’s the print itself: the edition size (how many impressions were produced), whether it’s signed or unsigned, size and condition all play a role.

While the number of the print rarely affects the price – the first and last impressions in an edition are of equal value – there are certain impressions which can command a premium. They are the proofs: prints that were made in the process of perfecting the final image. They are marked accordingly as Trial Proofs (TP), Artist’s Proofs (AP) or Printer’s Proofs (PP). Occasionally, proofs can feature unique elements, such as different colour combinations or extensive hand-finishing, compared to the final edition – these proofs are often rare and highly coveted.

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Collecting prints

For budding art collectors, prints are a great place to start. Because multiple impressions are made, prints are much easier to find – and much more affordable – than unique works of art. With a print, you can own a version of an iconic image without paying the seven-figure sum for the original. It also offers a chance to experiment with different artists and styles, as you discover your taste as a collector.

The best place to get started is at one of our sale previews. Prior to a Prints and Multiples sale, all the lots will be on display to the public. We invite you to come and have a look around, and talk to our specialists who will be happy to offer advice. Once you’ve purchased a print at auction, remember to research how to care for it and keep it in good condition. We recommend Helen Rosslyn’s A Buyer’s Guide to Prints (R.A., 2008), and Woolwich Print Fair’s website, which is an excellent educational resource.