Types of Prints Explained

As you brows websites and shops looking for a piece of art to adorn your walls, there are a few terms you may run across and I’d like to break them down for you. I’ll go into detail on the three main types of art prints you can purchase, Hand printed original prints, reproduction prints, and digital/printable files.

Original Prints

Original prints, are what the majority of the prints you’ll find here at Shasta Marie Designs are. Original prints are created by the artist themselves, either by carving a block or plate (for this post, we'll refer to it as a block) or by inking an image directly onto the printing surface.

There are many steps involved in creating an original print. The artist must first draw the design directly on the block or onto another substrate to be transferred onto the block. Once the image is on the block, the artist carves or etches it in order to reveal the final printable image. After carving or etching, the artist then inks the block and prints the edition of prints one by one, re-inking the block between each new print.

For these reasons, each print has its own unique characteristics and is considered an original work of art. Original prints are often part of an Edition, either a limited edition or an open edition. The artist numbers, titles, and signs each print individually.

Of course, original prints will typically be higher in price than a reproduction or digital print of a piece of work, But don't let that stop you from looking around. There are many artists who have chosen printmaking as their medium of choice for the very reason that it allows them to sell original artwork at accessible prices. The best of both worlds, really. This is one of the main reasons I fell in love with printmaking. I love to draw on my iPad, but I was missing the hands-on part of making art. You know when you end a session with your hands covered in ink or paint? Taking the extra time to carve a block, but then being able to print it over and over again on different papers, or with different ink colors felt like a match made in heaven for my own personal needs and desires when it comes to making art.

Reproduction Prints

On the other hand, reproduction prints are created by copying an existing artwork and using a mechanical printing process to make a “print.” This is the most common type of art print you'll run into out in the world when visiting the home section of a store like Target, or Hobby Lobby. The artist paints an original painting or takes a photograph. The image is licensed to a company for commercial use and is mass-produced after being scanned into a digital file.

Reproduction prints are an affordable way for you to bring art into your home, and show off your personality. Reproduction prints are usually sold at a much more accessible price range, which makes them easier to collect on a budget.

These prints are not considered original works of art because of the large quantities produced. Offering reproduction prints allows an artist to continue to create income from a piece of artwork long after the original has been sold.

These Cards in the Shasta Marie Designs shop are a reproduction print of my South Dakota wildflower Original linocut prints.

Digital Prints

Digital prints are very similar to reproduction prints. They start off the very same way, by creating a copy of the original artwork by either scanning or photographing the original piece. When you purchase a digital print, you purchase the digital file that has been created.

Why would you want to purchase a digital print file? There are several reasons. The first being, they are usually dirt cheap!

Secondly, digital files allow you, the customer, to have the artwork printed exactly as you choose. You can upload the file to a printing company to be printed on high-quality paper or canvas; some companies even offer to print on metal and wood. This allows you more customizable options.

Digital print files are often offered in many different image sizes, so you can choose the exact size you need to fit your space. Converting an image to digital allows the artist to take an original 8"x10" painting, scan it at a very high resolution, and increase the image size so you can have that same image hanging over your mantle at a much larger size. The opposite is also true. The image can be scaled down to fit a smaller space.

When you purchase a digital print file, there is no waiting involved. You will receive the image in your inbox immediately and be able to download and use it right away. If you have a printer that prints photographs, you can even print them yourself immediately.

One last reason you might purchase a digital printable file is for use as a screen saver, or to display on one of those fancy frame TV's that look like a piece of art hanging on your wall instead of a big black rectangle box 😉 Many artists offer image files sized correctly for screen savers, Frame TV's and even for background images for your computer and phone.

Shasta Marie Designs offers four different sets of affirmation cards in the digital/printable format, and I hope to offer more digital print products in the future.

There’s no wrong way to collect art.

The most important thing to remember when collecting art is that the piece of work speaks to you internally and makes you feel something. It brings a smile to your face when you see it, helps you remember a loved one, or a favorite adventure, or the image evokes a feeling that you can’t really explain, but you feel a deep connection to.

If you like the artwork, that's all that matters. If you find two pieces that are drastically different, but you like them both, then they BOTH belong in your space, because they each help you express different sides of personality within your home.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with purchasing reproduction or digital prints instead of original artworks such as paintings or original prints; however, if you have the desire to showcase your style and creativity in a unique way, I encourage you to search for reproduction prints from individual artists' shops and websites. This will decrease the chance of you having the same print hanging above the mantle as your neighbor.

If there is an artist you love on social media, or in real life, chances are they sell reproduction or digital print files of their work and would greatly appreciate your order.

Digital print files and reproduction prints are great options for changing up artwork seasonally. You can print the artwork the same size to fit in a frame you already have hanging on your wall. Bonus, you don't have to store a second frame for the rest of the year. You can hide the seasonal piece behind the other artwork when you are done using it for the season, or take it out and roll it up in a small storage tube tucked in with your other seasonal decorations until the next year when that season rolls around.

I sincerely hope this article has helped you understand some of the lingo surrounding the different types of prints in the art world, and if you have any questions at all, don't hesitate to reach out to me.