• Choose the Type of Print You Want

• Research the History & Authenticity of Prints

• Find Prints on eBay Australia

• Buy Prints With Confidence

• Need More Help?

• Legal Disclaimer

Choose the Type of Print You Want

Choose the Type of Print You Want

Prints are made using several different types of media—including metal, wood, stone, and silkscreen—each with a distinct look and feel. Artists often produce a number prints from the original media. For a collectable item, look for a limited edition print where the run is limited to a certain number. The alternative is an open-ended edition, where the number of prints has not been restricted.

The artist normally signs and numbers limited edition prints, while open-edition prints may or may not be signed or numbered. Generally, the smaller the number of runs and the lower the number of the piece within the run, the more valuable the print. Consider whether to look for an original limited edition print or a reproduction of a more rare work.

• Antique: Antique prints that date from the pre-1900’s, are particularly attractive to collectors. They are often illustrations from old and rare books and may cover topics such as architecture, history, botany, geography and wildlife.

• Etching/engraving: Etchings are a method of printing where an image is created using a sharp object (often a diamond stylus on a metal surface) coated with wax. The surface is then treated with acid, which eats away at the metal areas that have been exposed.

• Giclee prints: Giclee prints have been created using a digital image of a piece of artwork, which is then printed onto canvas or watercolour paper using a high-resolution inkjet printer that produces very rich colour. The result is a high-quality reproduction that will hold up well over time. When considering the purchase of a giclee prints, inquire about the printer used and the expected longevity of the piece. Some contemporary artists, especially digital artists, use giclee to create original works as well.

• Lithographs and serigraphs: Lithographs are produced by treating a stone or metal surface, often with a grease pencil, so that ink will adhere only to certain parts of the surface. The image is then printed onto wet paper from the stone. Serigraphs, one of the first means of printing and reproduction, involves using stencils to force a special paint through a fine fabric screen, originally silk but now usually polyester or nylon, to create an image.

• Heliogravure: Found in both original and reproduced art, heliogravures use photographic transfer to create etchings on a metal surface.

Before making that all important purchase, consider the dimensions of the piece, its condition, how long the colours are likely to hold up, and whether there is a good return policy.

Research the History & Authenticity of Prints

Research the History & Authenticity of Prints

Whether adding something new to your collection or creating a bold new feature to your living room, do your research about the print. Learn more about the artist and determine the piece’s provenance.

History

Provenance is a document that details the past ownership and condition of the print and also where it has been displayed. The more complete the history, the easier it is to establish the print’s authenticity. While it is easier to track down the history of more contemporary works, it can be difficult for older or antique prints.

Ideally, a full history will go all the way back to the artist. However, an incomplete history does not imply that the work will not be considered authentic. Over time, paperwork is often lost or destroyed, or buyers wish to remain anonymous.

If there is an incomplete provenance, make sure a third-party expert has evaluated the print and confirmed its authenticity, or at least attributed it to the referenced artist. Experienced and trusted art dealers will always provide an expert’s authentication. (This is different from the certificates of authenticity that are commonly found in the collectables world, which are not generally used with prints).  

About the artist

A catalogue raisonne provides a comprehensive listing of an artist’s works, detailing the ownership of each piece, images of the piece, and its current condition. When an expert determines that style and other factors make it probable that a print was created by a particular artist, but it cannot be confirmed, it is then “attributed to” that artist.

Find Prints on eBay Australia

Find Prints on eBay Australia

To find for the perfect print for you, go to the Art portal, click Prints, and start searching for item listings on eBay Australia.

• Categories: The Categories list on the left side of each page will help you narrow down your listings by item type. You'll find links for Antiques (Pre-1900), Modern (1900-49), and Contemporary (1950-Now) prints.

• Keyword search: Search eBay Australia listing titles for specific words. For example, if you want to find lithograph prints, type “lithograph” (without quotation marks) into the Search box. Click “Search title and description” to expand your results. Visit eBay Australia’s Search Tips page for more tips on searching with keywords.

If you can’t find exactly what you want, try shopping eBay Stores, tell sellers what you’re looking for by creating a posting on Want It Now, or save a search on My eBay and get notified by email when a match becomes available.

Buy Prints With Confidence

Buy Prints With Confidence

Before making your purchase, make sure you know exactly what you're buying, research your seller, and understand how eBay Australia and PayPal protect you.

Know your purchase

Carefully read the details in item listings.

• Figure delivery costs into your final price. If you spend a lot of money, make sure the seller will insure the item when it ships.

• If you want more information, ask by clicking the "Ask seller a question" link under the seller's profile.

• Always make sure to complete your transaction on eBay Australia (with a bid, Buy It Now, or Best Offer). Transactions conducted outside of eBay Australia are not covered by eBay Australia protection programs.

• Never pay for your eBay Australia item using instant cash wire transfer services through Western Union or MoneyGram. These payment methods are unsafe when paying someone you do not know.

Know your seller

Research your seller so you feel positive and secure about every transaction.

• What is the seller's Feedback rating? How many transactions have they completed? What percentage of positive responses do they have?

• What do buyers say in their Feedback? Did the seller receive praise?

• Most top eBay Australia sellers operate like retail stores and have return policies. Do they offer a money-back guarantee? What are the terms and conditions?

Buyer protection

In the unlikely event that a problem arises during your transaction, eBay Australia and PayPal are there for you.

• Pay safely with PayPal: PayPal enables you to pay without the seller ever seeing your bank account or credit card numbers. In fact, PayPal protects buyers 100% against unauthorised payments from their accounts. Plus, with PayPal Buyer Protection, your purchase can be covered up to $1,500.

• eBay Australia Security & Resolution Centre: Visit the Security & Resolution Centre to learn how to protect your account and use eBay Australia's quick and efficient resolution tools.

Need More Help?

Need More Help?

Visit our help pages or start a thread on one of our Community Discussion Boards - If you have a quick question that needs answering, try posting it on our community Answer Centre - there's bound to be a seasoned eBay Australia veteran with just the information you're looking for!

Legal Disclaimer

Legal Disclaimer

Buying Guides are intended merely as a guide or review for members when considering what products or services they may be interested in bidding on or purchasing. eBay does not make, and nothing in these Buying Guides is intended to constitute, any warranties, guarantees, representations or assurances about the accuracy of the information or content contained in these Buying Guides. Furthermore, eBay does not make, and nothing in these Buying Guides is intended to constitute, any warranties, guarantees, representations or assurances about the nature or performance of the products or services appearing in the Buying Guides. Content, trademarks and brands referred to and contained in the third-party links provided are the property of their respective owners, and eBay has no control over and accepts no responsibility for their content. eBay is not affiliated with nor does it endorse the use of any particular product or service.