Archival Fine Art Prints
Fine Art Prints are made using 100+ rated lightfast, dye-based inks on 100% cotton rag, acid-free, lignin-free, pH buffered archival paper with no added optical brighteners. They are 12 mil / 205 gsm thick. For maximum longevity, it is recommended that prints be matted and framed under glass and displayed away from direct sunlight. The size indicated on the print is the actual image area, but the paper will include a small border to facilitate matting.
Archival Digital Prints of Photographs
Photos are printed on acid-free high-gloss or matte photo paper, as indicated, using 100+ rated lightfast, dye-based inks. For maximum longevity, it is recommended that prints be matted and framed under glass and displayed away from direct sunlight. The size indicated on the print is the actual image area, but the paper will include a small border to facilitate matting.
Drawings and Works on Paper
Original works on paper are created with the best possible archival methods on acid-free, professional-quality paper and never treated with spray finishes or adhesives. Some media used, including graphite and charcoal, are susceptible to smudging if they are not properly protected. Drawings are shipped with a protective overleaf. For maximum longevity, it is recommended that works on paper be matted and framed under glass and displayed away from direct sunlight.
Paintings
Original paintings are described by their size in inches, media, support, depth, and finish. Explanations of the most commonly used terms follow.
Canvas Preparations
- Oil paint – All oil paints used are artist’s quality, non-yellowing permanent oil paints.
- Stretched canvas – All paintings marked “oil on canvas” refer to stretched canvas, where paint is applied to the surface and sometimes edges of gessoed canvas. Except as noted, canvases use kiln-dried solid wood stretcher bars and 7 oz. 100% cotton duck canvas, triple primed with acid-free gesso.
- Back-stapled – Canvases marked as back-stapled have the edges wrapped around the sides of the stretcher bars and attached at the back. These canvases are suitable for display either without framing or in a float-style frame that exposes the edges.
- Side-stapled – Canvases marked as side-stapled have the edges attached at the sides of the stretcher bars, which means staples will be visible. It is recommended that these canvases be displayed in a frame that conceals the edges.
- Finished edges – These paintings have had the design continued from the face over the edges, top, and bottom of the canvas for a slightly three-dimensional and continuous image. They are suitable for display without framing, or in a float-style frame that exposes the edges. Please see example below.
- Canvas depth – The thickness of the stretcher bars at the sides indicates the depth the canvas will come off the wall. The most typical depths used are 1/2″, 5/8″ and 1-3/8″. Some collectors prefer to frame narrower canvases to give the painting greater depth.
- Canvas on board – Paintings marked “oil on canvas board” refer to archival boards with gessoed canvas stretched over the surface and adhered to the back. They are approximately 1/8″ thick and generally require framing or a flush-mounting display.
Acrylic, Alkyd, and Enamel Painting Preparations
- Masonite – Paintings prepared on masonite (tempered hardboard) panels have been sized and primed with archival materials. They are typically 1/8″ thick. Cradled panels may be hung without additional framing. Depending on size, uncradled panels may be suitable for matting and framing, or framing with an edge overlap.
- Wood – Wood panels have been soaked, sized, and primed as indicated, using archival methods. The depths of wood panels are marked.
- Alkyd – Alkyd paint is made with pigments and oil modified alkyd resin, typically sourced from sustainable, renewable drying oils. It is a non-yellowing, archival finish similar to traditional oil paints.
- Acrylic – Heavy-body professional acrylic paints use synthetic pigments in an acrylic resin emulsion.
- Enamel – Works marked as “enamel” use high-gloss liquid enamel paint on a prepared surface (typically aluminum or Masonite).
Example of painting with finished edges, showing the design continuing over the side (view full painting)