Although each reproduction process is different and produces an image that looks different from the original artwork, there are many different types of fine art reproductions available. Giclees, lithographs, and prints are examples of fine art reproduction printing. Printing artwork on canvas or etching paper is also an option. Fine art reproduction methods such as artagraphs and serigraphs are also popular. All of these methods enable customers to buy their favorite artwork or high-quality decoration pieces to display in their homes or offices.
Giclee is a printing technique for fine art reproductions that results in a high-quality print. After scanning the artwork, it is printed on canvas, photo paper, paper, vinyl, or another surface. Ink-jet printers use archival quality paints to produce a smooth image, which means that the small dots produced traditional printers are not visible. Giclee reproductions have a wider color range than other printing methods, and the paint will not fade for many years. Artists and manufacturers can produce on-demand prints using ink jet printers, and they can change the size of the print as needed.
Lithographs are made using a crayon or a greasy substance to draw a mirror image of the artwork onto metal plates. The ink is then rolled over the plate, only attaching to the crayon outline. The images are transferred to a sheet of paper applying pressure to a piece of paper or material that covers the drawing. This fine art reproductions process is repeated with different metal drawings to incorporate red, blue, and yellow into the mix.
Some people prefer Artagraph fine art reproductions because the technology used to print the artwork accurately reproduces the image, colors, and texture of the original painting. The original colors used in the painting are identified and replicated using a laser scanner. The oils created with this technology are applied to the painting’s surface, and then a silicone mold made from the original artwork is placed on top. The artwork is then baked at a high temperature. This method creates artworks that look and feel like the original, but they are both expensive to produce and buy.
Serigraphs, also known as screen prints, are created placing a thin screen against a sheet of paper. The artist creates a stencil in the screen and then pushes ink back and forth across it with an ink brush or squeegee. Each color in the painting necessitates the creation of a new screen, with certain areas of the screen blocked to prevent color transfer. These can be replicated using the same screens that were used to make them in the first place, but the process must be repeated for each artwork.