Discover printmaking: between craftsmanship, technique and expression
Etching, lithography, screen printing or woodcut: each technique lends a print its own unique character. Discover original prints by artists who draw on traditional techniques, reinterpret them and combine them with different styles and motifs. This often results in subtle variations from one print to the next, which are what give this art form its special appeal.
The Diversity of Graphic Art: Techniques and Styles
The world of original prints is incredibly diverse – and, at the same time, one of the oldest forms of visual art. Here, printmaking is not created through spontaneous brushstrokes, but through a deliberate combination of technique, material and idea. If you’re looking to buy prints, you’ll find works in our collection that blend craftsmanship and artistic expression in a unique way.
Printmaking is an art of patience and precision. Every line and every area is created through meticulous work on the printing plate. The moment when ink meets paper is always a brief moment of suspense – no two prints are ever quite the same. Whether it’s linocut, etching or screen printing – every printmaking technique has its own character and tells its own story. Many of our artists experiment with traditional printmaking techniques and give them a modern twist. This results in contemporary prints that feel timeless yet convey something deeply personal.
Printmaking and Graphic Art
Printmaking in all its forms
Printmaking brings together a fascinating variety of artistic techniques – each with its own character and expression. In relief printing, best known for woodcut and linocut, only the raised areas of the material are printed, much like a stamp. The resulting print is often clear, high-contrast and characterised by a distinctive, direct craftsmanship. In intaglio printing, which includes techniques such as etching and copperplate engraving, the ink collects in the fine recesses of the plate and is transferred to the paper under heavy pressure – this produces prints rich in detail and subtle nuances. Lithography is based on the principle that oil and water repel one another. Here, the printing and non-printing areas lie on the same plane, which allows for a soft, painterly effect. Finally, screen printing, or serigraphy, works with stencils: the ink is pressed through a fine mesh onto the substrate, resulting in vibrant, often graphically clear compositions in printmaking.
Each of these graphic art techniques demands technical skill, patience and a deep understanding of materials, colour and subject matter. In their modern drawings, artists experiment with lines, textures and layers, creating rhythmic structures, subtle transitions and surprising depths. The result is graphic art that strikes a balance between precision and experimentation, between traditional craftsmanship and contemporary expressiveness.
Is it still an original or already a copy?
This is a question one often encounters in graphic art – and it is a valid one. In painting, an original is always a unique piece. In printmaking, however, the original consists of the artist’s design and the printing plate created by the artist. Every print produced from this is an original print. The edition is limited and numbered, for example 12/50 – the twelfth print in a series of fifty. Once the edition is complete, the printing plate is usually rendered unusable to prevent further reproductions. Reproductions, on the other hand, are copies produced using photomechanical or digital processes and do not possess the same artistic value as an original print.
The crucial difference in printmaking lies in the process. An original print is designed and executed entirely by the artist themselves. The idea, the printing plate and the printing process all originate from a single source. Every line and every area is created deliberately and transferred to paper by hand. Whilst several prints may be produced from the same printing plate, each one is slightly different – sometimes with a little more ink, sometimes with fine textures or a subtle colour gradient. These differences make every print unique. The paper, the pressure applied during printing and the timing of the print also influence the result. Thus, despite being part of an edition, the work remains individual – no two prints are alike.
Original prints are produced in limited editions, the size of which is determined by the artists themselves. A number such as 12/50 indicates that it is the twelfth print in a series of fifty. Each print bears a signature confirming its authenticity and authorisation. In addition, there are E.A. (Épreuve d’artiste), i.e. artist’s proofs, or H.C. (Hors de Commerce) – works that are not for sale. Both are considered originals, as they are produced from the same printing plate. Once the print run is complete, the printing plate is often rendered unusable to prevent reprints and ensure exclusivity.
Buy prints at the Student Art Market
At Studierenden Kunstmarkt, you’ll find a diverse selection of contemporary print art that impressively showcases the varied styles of young artists. Sophie Bäumer creates poetic linocuts in which floral and figurative motifs blend together, striking a delicate balance between sensitivity and expressiveness. Fancheng Xu, on the other hand, often depicts his characteristic figures from a bird’s-eye view – minimalistically composed, yet full of movement and emotional depth. Julia Von Solemacher’s works are instantly recognisable: her cheerful portraits in delicate pastel shades radiate lightness and a zest for life. Christian Herzig, for his part, focuses his prints on people in nature; his works appear quiet, observant and yet very personal, as if the viewer were becoming part of the scene themselves.
In her prints, Maria Leisner captures bodies in motion – dynamic, sensual and powerful. Her works explore femininity and strength in a compelling way, lending these themes a modern, artistic voice.
If you’re interested in print art and the background to it, you might also find our articles on ‘Unique pieces for your home’ and ‘The world’s most expensive paintings – art as a status symbol and investment’ fascinating. You can also read more here about “How do I start my art collection?” or “What is creativity?”.
Frequently asked questions about prints
Eine Grafik ist ein künstlerisches Werk, das durch Linien, Formen und Flächen entsteht – oft im Druckverfahren, manchmal auch als Zeichnung oder digitale Arbeit. In der bildenden Kunst meint der Begriff vor allem die handwerklich geschaffene Druckgrafik. Grafiken leben von Präzision, Reduktion und Ausdruckskraft – sie zeigen, wie viel Wirkung in einer scheinbar einfachen Linie liegen kann.
Es gibt verschiedene Techniken: Hochdruck (Holz- und Linolschnitt), Tiefdruck (Radierung, Kupferstich), Flachdruck (Lithografie) und Siebdruck. Jede Methode hat ihren eigenen Stil, Ausdruck und Charakter. Während der Holzschnitt oft kräftig und kontrastreich wirkt, ermöglicht die Radierung feine Linien und zarte Übergänge. Im Siebdruck entstehen durch Farbflächen moderne, plakative Effekte – beliebt auch in der Pop Art. So bietet jede Technik Künstler*innen die Möglichkeit, ihren individuellen Ausdruck zu finden.
Eine Druckgrafik ist ein Werk, das mit einer künstlerisch gestalteten Druckform entsteht. Die Künstler*innen überträgen Farbe durch Druck auf Papier – so entstehen limitierte, signierte und nummerierte Originale. Jede Auflage ist ein Unikat im Charakter, da kleinste Unterschiede beim Druckprozess entstehen. Druckgrafiken sind eine der traditionsreichsten Kunstformen und verbinden Handwerk mit moderner Gestaltung. Wer Druckgrafik kauft, erwirbt nicht nur ein Kunstwerk, sondern auch ein Stück künstlerischer Technikgeschichte.