By Maria Arango

The following are criteria that have been proposed for living artists wishing to create an original fine print. If all the criteria are satisfied, the fine print should undoubtedly be deemed original.

1. The artist, working alone or with only incidental assistance on mechanical chores of the preparatory process, has created and prepared the image components needed to produce the completed print image. The print image was conceived by the artist for solely one print edition or was adapted by the artist from a preexisiting version of any image of the artist's own art.

2. The artist, working alone or with only incidental assistance on routine chores of the master-making process, has personally made the master from which the prints will be pulled or has delivered the component images to a specialized craftsman who performs the actual required processing under the artist's direct supervision.

3.  The artist, working alone or with only incidental assistance on routine chores of the printing process, has personally printed the master or has delivered the master (or component masters) to a craftsman-printer to do the actual printing under the artist's direct supervision. In the latter case, the artist remains with the printer at least until a completed proof of the entire image is obtained that is satisfactory to the artist, who then signs and dates the approval proof or bon a tirer.

4.  The artist personally signs his or her name on every copy of the print edition.

5.  The artist prepares and issues a print-documentation sheet for the print edition, attesting to the truth and the accuracy of the four criteria noted above. The sheet is signed by the artist and notarized, and the artist provides copies of it to anyone on request.

Information provided by: http://www.printmakingstudio.com