Are Prints Underrated?

If you’re looking for opportunities to invest your capital or you’re a new collector looking for pieces to invest in, you must understand the mediums available to you.

Prints are a great investment opportunity, whether you’re a seasoned art investor or you’re new to the market - but are prints underrated? That’s what we’re going to be exploring in this blog post.

If you’re looking to buy prints, or simply want to expand your knowledge of prints, then read on to learn more, including what exactly a print is and our guide to investing in prints.

What Are Prints

Prints are high-quality reproductions of an artist’s original painting. They are often created using either canvas or premium-grade paper and by using inkjet printers. Original works are one-of-a-kind pieces of art, whereas prints can be reproduced.

One of the key differences between original artwork and prints is the texture. Artists will often use a range of tools to paint a piece of art - for example, rollers and brushes, etc. This is a unique process that tells a story on the canvas. However, prints don’t tell this same story - they lack texture on the canvas and have a flat, smooth surface.

Prints are a great opportunity for art investors hoping to resell, or collectors looking for a quality design by a reputable artist without breaking the bank. It’s easier to come across a print than an original on the art market, whether it be at an art gallery, an art fair, or an art auction.

Often, prints are created by the artist themselves - but they can also be produced by others under the supervision of the artist. For example, in 2009, the print house Pictures on Walls worked with Banksy, the renowned street artist, to publish his prints.

What About Print Editions?

When browsing the art market, you may have come across a range of print editions. This refers to the number of prints created using a printing plate, usually in the same sitting. Limited edition prints have a fixed number of prints created and are considered more valuable. However, ‘open edition’ prints have no limit.

Smaller edition print runs will often be more expensive, whereas larger editions or open-ended editions have more prints available, making them less valuable.

Often, limited edition prints will be signed by the artist. They will also be numbered (for example, 2/500), so the buyer is aware of the individual number of the print as well as the overall size of the edition.

Prints: Are They Underrated?

The art world is forever changing with culture and societal norms - however, prints have remained a staple of art culture for centuries. Historically, prints were created on cloth and used to decorate walls and furniture. However, in modern times, wall prints generally refer to reproductions created on canvas or paper.

The Gilcée print method is typically used to create prints. In French, the term means ‘to spray’ - which is an insight as to how the inkjet printers work to create prints that are vibrant and of high quality.

There are many famous print artists - most notably, Andy Warhol. He is known for his print work and for popularising the Pop Art movement. He created 32 pieces of ‘Campbell’s Soup Cans’ - however, the differences lay in the flavours of the soup offered by the brand. Each print was made from scratch, with minor differences. Now on display at the Museum of Modern Art, these pieces of art are favourites in the world of print art.

Framed wall art is a great choice to fill a blank space on your wall or breathe life into the interior of your home or office. You can find prints in different sizes - whether it be 5x7 inches or a3-sized. With prints, you’re sure to find the perfect size to complement your decor. However, with original pieces, you can’t compromise on the size.

Likewise, prints can make a gift, whether it be for Christmas, a birthday, or an anniversary. Much like blue-chip art, prints are something that can be passed down through generations as heirlooms. Prints may hold their value and can increase in value too - this is especially the case with limited editions from prominent artists.

Ultimately, prints are an underrated choice. There are countless benefits to print art, from the price to the choice of size. If you’re looking to invest in prints, read on to learn more.

Where To Purchase Prints

There are several ways you can purchase art - whether it be through an art auction, an art fair, or an art gallery. At auctions, you usually find secondary pieces of art. At auctions, you’ll be required to pay a buyer’s premium - this can depend on the seller, the auction, and the piece of art.

Art fairs are great places to purchase prints from emerging artists and purchase art directly from the artist. Although you may have difficulty finding art that will have a large increase in value, you can find pieces that make great gifts or will look great on your wall.

Art galleries are arguably the best way to find quality fine art prints that will either stay the same value or increase in value.

If you’re looking to expand your art collection, you’re looking for a piece of art to invest your hard-earned capital into, or you’re simply looking to buy art prints to decorate your home, our team of experts at Grove Gallery are on hand to help.

We can talk you through the process and share our wealth of knowledge to increase the chance of your investment being successful. Utilise our art advisory service to learn how you can diversify and bolster your savings, and identify the right artwork for you. On average, those who purchase art through us generate between 8% to 12% from contemporary art per year.

Visit our London art gallery today or call us on 020 8103 4905 - we’re on hand to answer any art-investment queries you may have.