Arna’s Disclaimer---Editions and Protocol for prints

There is a protocol in printmaking which says that once a print is satisfactory to the artist, an edition should be made of a certain number and the artist should make no more than six artist’s proofs (usually marked “AP” in the left corner under the print) then the edition should follow. All prints should be identically printed with the same ink and the surface wiped in the same way.

In the case of my prints, I do not necessarily follow the protocol. I like to experiment with each individual print—leaving some untouched portions, while coloring others with a second plate, watercolor or other media.
Some of the plates are more than 20 years old, and I have lost track of the number printed, although zinc plates will only print about 60 times at most before the plate begins to flatten out in the press and lose its freshness (copper lasts longer). All are numbered and approximately correct. In a few cases there is only one print and thought the image may be interesting, and one could easily reproduce it digitally, it should be known that all prints are done on a primitive press.

Much of the beauty of an etching is in the media itself where the application of ink and its embossed quality can be appreciated as well as the impression that the plate makes on the soft register paper. That is the beauty of an original print---so I do not digitally copy and send them out---except maybe as greeting cards.

If you like a print but are not satisfied with the color or lack of it, let me know, as some of my prints—such as “Hug” have been treated in may different ways and thus are available in a variety of colors and processes.