What is the difference between a print and a poster?
Most reproduced images can be considered prints. Prints can be further broken down by Limited Edition
prints and Open Edition prints. We would include Posters in the Open Edition prints category. The word Poster in and of
itself has nothing to do with the quality of the image or paper it is printed on.
What kind of paper is it on?
Most publishers do not tell us what kind of paper each piece is printed on. Generally speaking, items like
Movie Posters are printed a lighter weight paper, whereas Limited Editions are typically printed on a slightly heavier acid
free paper. Fine Art Prints are often done on heavy archival paper. Once an item is framed, the weight or thickness of the
paper is not of great significance.
What is an Open Edition?
Open Edition means there is no limit to the number of prints or sculptures the publisher can produce. Open Edition prints are not usually
numbered, but may be signed by the artist.
What is a Limited Edition Print?
Limited Edition means the publisher has committed to only producing a limited number of prints. These may be
numbered editions, or they may be time-limited, with the publisher producing as many as are ordered before a specified date.
What is a Fine Art Print?
Fine Art Print would denote a higher end product, usually on heavier archival type paper, typically smaller edition
size, and usually produced with a better printing process like serigraphy, giclee, or a more labor intensive process such as stone
lithography.
What is an Original?
An Original is a piece that is produced directly by the artist, as opposed to being a reproduction, and except in the case of multiple
originals would be unique.
Are these Paintings?
Paintings are most often original works, as opposed to prints, which are reproductions. At the Thunder Mountain Press website, paintings would be found under the artist's
originals category.
What is a Serigraph?
A Serigraph is a print made using a screening process, where each color ink is forced through a screen with a squeegee. Some serigraphs are
pulled through the screens by hand. Each layer of ink can often be distinguished in a serigraph.
What is a Lithograph?
Most prints today are produced using Offset Lithography. Printing plates for each color are produced from an original image, then the ink is transferred from the plate to a blanket cylinder, then to the paper. Early printers used etched stones with the ink applied directly to the stone, then pressed onto the paper. With older stone and plate lithography, there was image degradation that occurred the more the stone or plate was used. Using modern
lithography techniques, the last prints off the press are typically as good as the first.
What is a Giclee?
Giclee is derived from a French word meaning 'to squirt'. Giclees are produced using high tech inkjet printing, with 6 colors of ink.
Giclees allow for much more accurate color than lithographs. Giclees are produced from digital images, without the need for negatives, as in lithography.
What is a Canvas Transfer?
Canvas Transfer involves taking a paper print, adhering it to canvas, such that the canvas texture shows through the print. A Canvas
Transfer does not have textured brushstrokes unless they are applied as a separate process.
Does this print come in a larger/smaller size?
There are occasions when we sell prints of the same image in various sizes.
Many times, it will be a smaller open-edition of a larger limited-edition print. This should
be indicated under the print's description when you click on the image.
Do you only sell prints?
We also feature some of your favorite gifts & accessories including: note cards, small ready-to-hang framed prints, puzzles, wine bottle stoppers and greeting/holiday cards.
What is Secondary Market?
When a publisher has sold all of the pieces in a numbered edition, then it becomes a secondary market piece which must be obtained from a
private collector or from dealer inventory.
What do you mean by Out of Print - does this mean unavailable?
Out of Print indicates that a piece is no longer being published - and is usually used in reference to Open Edition prints, or posters. This means we can no longer order them from the publisher, but we may have access to them from our inventory, or the inventory of one of our partner galleries.
What do you mean by Sold Out?
Sold Out indicates that an image is no longer available from the distributor or publisher. If a piece appears on our site and says Sold Out, we probably still have pieces available in our inventory, but it may be best to call to verify availability.
What is Thunder Mountain Press's Return Policy?
We will gladly accept a return for exchange or refund (less shipping of course) within 30 days of the shipping date. We want you to be delighted with your purchase. Returns must be received in unframed, unstretched saleable condition.
What is the difference between paper size and image size?
Most limited edition prints and posters have a white border around the image. Image size reflects the dimensions of the image itself whereas paper size includes the white border in the dimensions. Our limited edition prints are usually pictured on our web site without the white border. The size listed in the item description reflects the image size (excluding this border). Since most artists sign and number their prints just below the image, some of this white border will be visible when framed. Most of our posters are listed with both the paper size and image size. Most posters can be framed cropped or uncropped to hide or show this border.