Care & considerations
Prints on paper
The shop description will let you know what kind of paper your print is made on. Mould made printmaking papers have cotton fibres which lay in different directions, unlike machine made wood pulp papers which have a grain. Traditionally printmakers tear down paper to preserve the ‘deckle’ edge – a soft and ragged border that shows off the mould made qualities of the paper. Don’t worry if the deckle edge gets bumped during handling – it is easy to smooth down gently with clean fingers. Take care when picking up prints to not crease the surface or touch the inked area. I find holding opposite corners very lightly prevents creasing. The best way to protect your print is to frame it. The prints are created in standard sizes which makes it easy to find an affordable frame online or in a high street shop. Hang your print out of direct sunlight, as UV rays will fade and damage the ink and paper over time. Paper is fragile, but with care will last hundreds of years. If in doubt, get in touch and I will be happy to advise.
Prints on fabric
The shop description will let you know what fabrics and materials are used in the item. Oil based inks have good resistance to daily wear and tear, but will fade over time if washed regularly and gain some character. Hand washing in a bath tub is best, with tepid water and a small amount of detergent. Swish the item around in water, let soak, then rinse and air dry. Take care not to rub any printed areas against each other. If you must wash the item in a machine, I recommend 30 degrees on a slow spin setting, with the item on its own, or inside a protective wash bag if mixed in with other things. If in doubt, get in touch and I will be happy to advise.
About editions
Original prints are made in 'editions', or a set number of copies that all look the same: same paper, same colours, same composition, made during the same print run. Please note that colours may look different in various light sources, and your screen might display colours slightly different to the actual print. Underneath the image is a strip of handwriting to verify the print's authenticity as an original. From left to right you'll find: a fraction telling you the print number (number 1 out of 4, for example), the title (if there is one), and my signature. I sign with my nickname. Traditionally a print is signed in pencil but you may find your print signed in something more colourful - I like to bend the rules! All of my editions are small, anywhere between 3 to 15 copies, so your print is very exclusive and unique. I like to work fast and bring out new work consistently, but if you see a image you really love in the Print Archive, please get in touch. I keep Artist Proofs for my own records and will occasionally sell these if there are more than one copy.