Understanding Art Signatures
Some limited-edition prints become more valuable when the artist signs them by hand.
However, not every valuable print has a signature. It’s important to know the difference between a hand-signed print and a plate-signed print.
Hand-Signed Prints
A hand-signed print is when the artist personally signs their name with a pen or pencil, usually in the margin of the artwork.
This shows that the artist saw the print and approved it.
In some cases, both the artist and the printer may sign the print which is why some have two signatures.
A hand-signed print is often 2–3 times more valuable than an unsigned one. Rare cases can even be 10 times higher in price.
Plate-Signed Prints
A plate-signed (or stone-signed) print means the artist signed the printing plate before the print was made.
When printed, the signature becomes part of the image not added by hand.
You might need a magnifying glass to tell if it’s hand-signed or printed.
These prints are still approved by the artist, but they are less expensive because the artist didn’t personally sign each one.
Things That Affect a Print’s Value
- Printing Date: An older print isn’t always more valuable. Don’t assume age means worth.
- Printing Process: The more detailed or time-consuming the process, the more valuable the print.
- Multi-color prints usually cost more than black-and-white ones.
- Large prints are harder to make and often require skilled printmakers.
- Edition Details: Check if other prints in the edition are signed and where the signatures are located.
Produced vs Reproduced Prints
There’s a big difference between “produced” and “reproduced” prints:
- Produced Print: Created as a limited edition, designed and approved by the artist and printer this is considered an original print.
- Reproduced Print: A copy of an existing artwork (like a painting) made by photographic or digital means this is not an original work of art.
An artist’s signature on a reproduction simply confirms that they handled it, similar to how an author signs a book.
Final Thoughts
From a collector’s point of view, a hand-signed artwork is the best investment.
But even unsigned or plate-signed works can still hold value especially if they’re officially authorized by the artist.
Always take time to check the type of signature, printing process, and edition details before buying or valuing a print.