Photo & Digital Prints 

This section explains important photography and digital print terms for artists, galleries, and collectors.

In today’s art market, many artists work with digital images, archival pigment printing, photography, and hybrid print processes. Understanding the correct language helps artists describe their work professionally, avoid confusion with reproductions, and give collectors confidence about materials, process, edition structure, and long-term care.

Photography Basics

Photograph
A photograph is an image created by light captured on a light-sensitive surface or digital sensor. Traditional photographs may be made with film and printed chemically, while contemporary photographs are often captured digitally and printed with archival inks or photographic processes. Artists should describe whether the photograph is film-based, digital, editioned, signed, framed, or printed on a specific paper.

Gelatin Silver Print
A gelatin silver print is a traditional black-and-white photographic print made using silver salts suspended in gelatin on paper. It became one of the most important photographic printing methods of the 20th century and is valued for tonal range, depth, and historic connection to fine art photography. Artists and galleries should note whether the print is vintage, later printed, signed, editioned, and properly preserved.

Chromogenic Color Print / C-Print / C-Type
A chromogenic color print, often called a C-print or C-type print, is a color photographic print made using traditional photographic chemistry. It may be produced from a color negative, transparency, or digital file exposed onto photographic paper. Artists should specify the printing date, edition size, paper, signature details, and whether the work was printed under the artist’s supervision.

Digital & Inkjet Printing

Digital Print
A digital print is an image printed from a digital file rather than from a traditional plate, stone, negative, or screen. Digital prints may come from digital photography, scanned artwork, or original computer-generated imagery. Artists should describe the printer, ink type, paper, edition size, and whether the print is archival.

Inkjet Print
An inkjet print is made by spraying tiny droplets of ink onto paper, canvas, or another surface. Inkjet technology is used for both everyday printing and professional fine art printing. For fine art use, artists should describe whether archival pigment inks and professional papers were used.

Pigment Ink Print
A pigment ink print is produced with pigment-based inks rather than dye-based inks. Pigment inks are valued for color stability, durability, and resistance to fading when paired with proper paper and display conditions. Artists should identify the paper, printer, edition size, and archival qualities when documenting pigment ink prints.

Giclée
Giclée is a term often used for high-quality inkjet prints made with fine art printers and archival inks. The term should be used carefully because it can refer to original digital artwork, photography, or reproductions of existing artwork. Artists should explain the actual materials, ink type, paper, edition size, and whether the work is an original print or a reproduction.

Lightjet
Lightjet refers to a digital photographic printing process that uses lasers or light exposure to create images on traditional photographic paper. Unlike inkjet printing, Lightjet prints are chemically processed photographic prints. Artists should describe the paper, edition size, printing date, and whether the work was produced from a digital file, film scan, or original digital image.

Photo-Based Print Processes
Photo printing processes are the methods used to transfer photographic images onto paper or other surfaces. These may include gelatin silver, chromogenic color printing, inkjet, pigment printing, Lightjet, photogravure, photo engraving, and photolithography. Accurate terminology helps collectors understand whether the work is photographic, digital, mechanical, hand-pulled, or archival.

Photo Engraving
Photo engraving uses photographic methods to transfer an image onto a plate that can then be etched or engraved for printing. It combines photography with printmaking technology and has been used in publishing, illustration, and fine art production. Artists should clarify whether the work is an original printmaking process, a reproduction method, or part of a mixed-media edition.

Photolithography
Photolithography transfers a photographic image onto a lithographic plate for printing. It has been used commercially and artistically to reproduce photographic images, drawings, and designs. In fine art, artists should explain the role of photography, the printing method, edition size, and whether the work is hand-signed.

Photogravure
Photogravure is a fine art intaglio process that transfers a photographic image onto a copper plate, which is then etched and printed with ink under pressure. It is admired for rich blacks, subtle tonal range, and beautiful surface quality. Documentation should include printer, paper, edition size, date, and the artist’s involvement.