We are often asked what is the difference between a serigraph and a plate-signed serigraph. The other frequently asked question is what a giclee is.  In the following guide, we will give you some information to answer those questions.

1.  Limited Edition Signed and Numbered Serigraphs

What is a serigraph? Serigraphy is the  process used to create limited edition prints based on an original painting.  The serigraph is based on an original painting, but sometimes not an exact duplication in size and / or appearance as the artist may sometimes make subtle changes from the original painting to the serigraph.  

The process starts with the original painting given to a "master printer or atelier" who will make hand-drawn positives produced for each color in the original painting. There could literally be dozens of separate screens produced to represent each color which ultimately is dependent on how many colors were used in the original painting.  The next step is the proofing of the cut silkscreens by the atelier and then sent to the artist for approval. The artist makes the necessary adjustments to the proofs and then the edition is ready for the application of paint.  The paint will be applied to a cotton-woven paper and hand-pulled one sheet and one color at a time by the atelier. After all the layers of colored paint are applied, the serigraphs are then set to dry.  The artist will then hand-sign in pencil the serigraph in the lower right corner and generally number the serigraph on the left-side bottom corner or the middle bottom.

The serigraph is a true limited edition piece of art which means after all the pieces in the edition are created by the atelier, the screens are then destroyed guaranteeing that no additional prints can be created. 

The serigraphy process is labor intensive and the materials are expensive.

2. Plate-signed or Open Edition serigraphs

"Plate-signed serigraphs" or "open" edition serigraphs are produced in unlimited quantites since the printing screens are not destroyed and additional prints can be created as needed. It is not uncommon for 1,000's of these "plate-signed" serigraphs to be produced.

The signature of the artist is reproduced inside the "painted" portion of the piece; however, the artist will sometimes sign the piece again in ink.  The paper used is generally on a thick stock glossy paper which some would describe as a lithograph. So that there is less confusion between an artist's  "plate-signed" and a limited edition serigraph, the artists will typically only create the "plate-signed" in a smaller size.

3. Lithographs or Posters

Lithos or posters are color reproductions made from a photograph on an offset printing press. The paper used is high quality poster stock. Posters are smaller in size than limited edition serigraphs and plate-signed serigraphs.

4. Giclees

A giclee (gee-CLAY) is the art produced from an image of the original piece of art using the process of reproduction from digital scans of the original art  transfered to high-resolution special large format printers. The better the equipment used will produce a giclee that may look almost identical to the original piece of art.

Giclee printing is extremely versatile which allows printing on any number of media, from canvas to watercolor paper to transparent acetates. Giclees are superior to traditional lithography in several ways. The colors are brighter, last longer, and are so high-resolution that they are virtually continuous tone, rather than tiny dots. The range of color for giclees is far beyond that of lithography, and details are crisper.

Giclees use a form of inkjet technology which are far more sophisticated than your desktop inkjet printer. The colors cover the gamut, which is a complete subset of colors. The process employs six colors--light cyan, cyan, light magenta, magenta, yellow and black--of lightfast, pigmented inks and finer, more numerous, and replaceable printheads resulting in a wider color gamut, and the ability to use various media to print on. The ink is sprayed onto the canvas or paper, actually mixing the color to create true shades and hues.

Since the ink is absorbed into the canvas or paper giving a one-dimensional appearance, an artist may go back and "hand-enhance" the art by adding paint to the canvas or paper.