What Is a Print? What Makes a Print a Fine Art Print?

A print is a single piece of paper with an picture on it among multiple copies made from the transfer of ink from a prepared surface onto a piece of paper. This means that an artist creates an picture on the surface of wood, copper, steel or stone which is to be ultimately printed.

The surface created by the artist then goes through special treatment that varies depending on the material & method the artist has chosen. The surface is then inked. A piece of paper is then put on the inked surface. The whole surface is then run through a press under pressure or tools are used to rub the back of the paper so that the ink transfers onto the paper.