Reproductions
Reproductions constitute the second broad category of art on the market. A work is usually either an original or a reproduction.
A reproduction is a duplication of an original work of art. Most original work are reproduced using a commercial printing process known as offset lithography (hence the term "offset print" sometimes to describe them). Although we loosely use the word "print" to refer to any work on paper, it is important, as we have seen, to make the distinction between original print and offset print, and more importantly, to know the difference. The difference in terms of price can be a few hundred dollars.
Offset prints are collectible mainly for their aesthetic value and the meaning and pleasure they bring to the buyer. They are inexpensive to produce and the printing process lends itself to large editions (that is, the total number of prints produced). Typically the artist will produce anywhere from 1,000 to 4,000 each time, with the possibility of future reprints. These are known in the business as "open edition" prints. The advantages of open edition prints are many. They are the least expensive art medium. They enable us to enjoy a wide variety of art, from masters to local artists, at prices we all can afford. We can bring art into our children's lives for a very small investment. They offer us many decorating options and we can change our wall hangings when we get tired of them at no great cost.

Posters
A poster is a reproduction of original artwork. What makes the reproduction a poster is the inclusion of copy (writing) as an essential part of the design. Posters were historically used to adsvertise, publicize, or commemorate something, for example, an exhibition. Artists sometimes utilize this art form to link their name to their work and to promote their name. The average price of a full size offset print or poster is $25 to $40. Larger prints and prints signed by the artist can fetch up to $80.

Lithographs
The lithographic process is based on the chemical principle that oil (or grease) does not mix with water. The design is drawn with a greasy crayon, or brushed with a greasy ink, directly onto the smooth-grained surface of a stone or metal plate. The plate is then dampened with water, and inked. The ink clings only to the greasy crayon marks. When a sheet of paper is pressed against the stone or plate, the ink on the greasy parts is transferred onto the paper, thus forming the image.

Serigraphs
A serigraph is produced by screen printing. The process has been popularly known as silkscreen printing because screens were first made of silk. Today, however, screens can be made of papy blocking out the entire screen, except for the area to be printed.
Paper is placed under the screen, ink is then pressed over the screen through the open or unblocked areas onto the paper below, thereby creating the orier, metal, or plastics. The screen is tightly stretched across a frame. The design is made bginal art image. Whenever a serigraph is printed in more than one color, a separate screen must be made for each color. Each color is applied separately through a screen blocked out to allow the color to fall only where wanted on the design.

Limited Edition Lithographs
Artists sometimes make the decision to limit the number of reproductions they print of a work. This decision is usually a marketing decision and may come in part from the desire to create a premium product and satisfy the buyer's demand for an uncommon and exclusive product. The artist is also able to charge more for these prints. This sub-category of offset prints is referred to as "limited edition" or "signed and numbered" prints.
Once the decision to limit the edition (that is, total number printed), each print is individually numbered and signed by the artist. Sometimes the artist or publisher will issue a "Certificate of Authenticity" to accompany each print, attesting to the authenticity of the numbering and the signature.
There is a big market for limited edition offset prints because they offer the satisfaction of being among a relatively small number of people who will own that print - one numbered and signed by the artist!
Limited edition offset prints generally start at around $80 but average about $150. Prices may be related to the size of the edition as well as the demand for the particular artist's work. An artist who is "hot" may command $200 to $250 for his print when it is first released and increase the price as the available prints dwindle. Once the artist sells all the available prints to his distribution outlets (galleries, dealers), market forces and dealers can send the price as high as people are willing to pay.

Artist's Proof:
A print outside of the regular numbered edition but printed at the same time, or after the regular edition from the plate or screens, without changes. Usually about 10% of the edition total is reserved as Artist's Proof. These prints are identified by one of the following markings: 'Artist's Proof' (or A.P.); 'H.C.' for the French Hors de Commerce, literally, 'Out of Trade'. H.C.'s were usually used for entering shows, exhibits, etc. and as samples. Today, however, since people have begun to acquire and collect them, these prints now generally find their way to the market through regular channels and are sold at a premium.

Certificate of Authenticity:
A piece of paper which sometimes accompany limited edition prints. It may contain information such as the printing process used, the edition size, the year of printing, the title, the artist's name and it is sometimes signed by the publisher or the artist.

Edition:
The total number of prints made of a specific image.

Hand Signing and Numbering:
Signing and numbering is a relatively modern practice. It is usually one way the artist authenticates a limited edition print. The most common method used today is to record on the left side of the print the size of the edition and the number of the particular print. For example, 11/150 means that there were 150 prints in the edition of which this number is 11. The signature usually appears at the right margin of the print.

Remarque:
A small personalized drawing with the artist's initials usually near the pencilled signature in the margin of the print.