When collecting fine art prints there are many factors to consider.

A fine art print is not the same as a decorative print, although both hand on many walls. One is an investment that can increase in value over time and one is not.

However, decorative prints are often referred to as fine art prints by salespeople who don't know any better and also my unscrupulous sellers.

If a print is a copy or reproduction of a work of fine art, it is not necessarily a fine art print. For instance, print of a work by Monet, Van Gogh or even a print of an original print such as one by Durer or Currier and Ives is not really a fine art print.

To be truly classified as a fine art print the image or artwork itself has to have a certain quality, usually the artist has a style all of his or her own. Plus, the work should be part of a limited offering or edition, which is be numbered and signed or at the very least initialed by the artist.

A hand signed Warhol of a limited edition print of Marilyn Monroe, Poppies or a Campbell 's Soup Can is worth a lot more than a poster or even the best possible archival Giclee or reproduction, even if it is officially created by the Warhol foundation. The artist himself should be involved in the issuance of the print. The artist is the only person who has the right to say the print matches his or her unique vision for it. A signed and hopefully numbered print indicates that the artist's vision was met. Owning a print that's unsigned vs. one that's hand signed is similar to the difference between making the recipe of a famous chef vs. having the chef prepare the recipe for you.

There are many factors to consider when collecting fine art prints, and some of them are also important when collecting fine art paintings. To be truly classified as a fine art print the image or artwork itself has to have a certain quality, usually the artist has a style all of his or her own. Plus, the work has to be a limited edition, which is be numbered and signed or at the very least initialed by the artist.

Very recently, due to wonderful technical advances, archival prints that are reproductions of an original painting or drawing are now being considered as true fine art when they are limited in number and signed by the artist.. Partially, artists have fine art photographers and the acceptance of these prints by their market to thank for this development. Fine art photographs are always prints. Fine art digital prints are currently so accepted by the art market that at a recent PMA attendees were informed of a 26 x 90 inch Epson print, which sold for sold for $1.2 million.

Fine art prints can be digital, lithographs, serigraphs, etchings, linoleum or wood block prints. Prints can be combined with paint or painted, often referred to as enhanced or remarque. Prints can also be used with collage. Historically, prints have been printed on paper, but new techniques and materials now allow the use of fabric including canvas.

Prints can be combined with paint or painted, often referred to as enhanced or remarque. Prints can also be used with collage. Historically, prints have been printed on paper, but new techniques and materials now allow the use of fabric including canvas.

Collecting fine art, including fine art prints can be a fun and rewarding experience. The fine art print market is a strong market currently according to statistics collected by Informart magazine, Artexpeditor and sales information from the auction houses including Sotheby's and Christie's. Although there are no guarantees when investing in a work of art that the art will increase in value over time, there are ways for a collector to invest wisely.