Forum – Open Debate
This is the forum for discussing issues and sharing ideas with your print workshop colleagues, from questions of workshop management and financing to authenticity issues and print advocacy. (Isn’t about time someone mounted a worldwide information campaign to explain to art buyers that so-called “giclee” prints are reproductions and not “prints,” any more than the label on a ketchup bottle is a print?)
World Printmakers' Print Workshop Central 
Interesting questions. In my mind as a printmaker there are many associations in which a printmaker can choose to take part. This could be private or group studio practice making prints and selling through a gallery, entering prizes etc. Practice could also be institional teaching and study of higher degrees such as Masters or PHD. Running a custom or access print workshop, working in commercial graphic areas of print etc etc. The main objectives in selling work seem to be placed in the hands of publishers and custom fine art productions of artists printed work. Of course artists may choose to take on the role of production and the selling of their own work. Interesting to note with signature comes high volume production which is usually placed in the hands of publishers. My main question to printmkers is the idea of placing no finacial value on the work. Does the fact someone is willing to pay a couple of thousand dollars for a work make it a good and worth while piece of art or just an investment or wall hanging? Second question, if a major gallery institutions interest in collection of a printmakers work make it interesting to others or do they all follow suit of fashionable collecting anyway. I personally produce only unique state prints now as I find editions need a market or exchange to make them a worth while venture. I also think printmakers need to think of more than just producing finished editions of work for a market place and conceptualize their work even further within their practice of being an artist. This is not to say printmaking is not one of the most exciting mediums of the 21st century. In combination with media arts such as photography and digital media the challenge now is for printmakers to advance their mediums in to the future. Good luck to all printmakers through out the world and most of all have happy days making works for others to enjoy.
Michael Florrimell
June 14, 2008 at 4:54 am
Read Don Thompson…’The 12 Million Dollar Stuffed Shark
for a forensic and horrifying account of how the art market works!
Julia Matcham
December 28, 2008 at 6:10 pm
I have just acquired a Wright motorized press,36”x72” bed and need information on adjusting it!!
mcclump
March 1, 2020 at 12:11 am