Tag fine art prints

Definition: fine art prints

Fine art prints * is a term usually (but not only **) given to photographic prints that have been made by traditional photographic printing processes. This process includes:

1. exposure of the photographic emulsion to a controlled light quantity and distribution passing through a matrix (usually a negative),
2. chemical processing, and usually
3. a further step of stabilisation, also chemical.

Fibre based (fb) papers, in general, have longer durability than resin coated (rc) ones.

An excellent reference for the bw fine prints process continues to be Ansel Adam’s The Print (part of his technical book work); very informative and well written volume for beginner to advanced skill levels.

Fine art prints in colour are can also be called giclée prints.
This process includes:

1. controlled application of pigmented inks (inkjet) on durable (usually cotton base) papers, from on a digital image file.
2. may include an additional step of varnish (from matt to glossy)

The durability of these materials is highly variable depending on the ink/paper combination used and how the print is stored or displayed.

*synonyms: fine art black and white (bw or b&w).
** fine art prints in colour are also known as giclée prints.