General Overview:

Thomas Kinkade limited edition artwork has been reproduced with the highest standards in the limited edition art industry. Thomas Kinkade has offered multiple editions for all kinds of collectors. The Standard Number edition, Artist Proofs, Publisher Proofs, and Examination Proofs are manufactured exactly the same way and include equal amounts of highlighting across each edition. The Gallery Proof and International Proofs are manufactured and highlighted equal to the editions above, but include a dime-size gold foil embossed Remarque  above Thomas Kinkade painted signature. The Renaissance Edition and the Studio Proofs have significantly more highlighting and texture that match Thom’s actual brush strokes. This reproduction appears very close to the original work as a result of the substantial amount of highlighting.

Standard Numbered (S/N)

The canvas is individually hand-highlighted under the supervision of the artist.  Each canvas is authenticated by a double referencing authorization system featuring DNA technology.  Each piece is individually hand numbered with an S/N designation after the print number to correspond with the Certificate of Authenticity.  The Standard Numbered series sets the release size, limits vary by each release. The S/N edition is the largest edition; and therefore, the most affordable.

Artist Proof (A/P)

The canvas is individually hand-highlighted under the supervision of the artist.  Each canvas is authenticated by a double referencing authorization system featuring DNA technology.  Each piece is individually hand numbered with an A/P designation after the print number to correspond with the Certificate of Authenticity. The Artist Proof edition is designated with the letters A/P during the numbering process; and, the canvas has a back stamp identifying it as an artist proof.  The size of the A/P edition is usually 10 to 20 percent of the S/N edition size.

Gallery Proof (G/P)

The canvas is individually hand-highlighted under the supervision of the artist.  Each canvas is authenticated by a double referencing authorization system featuring DNA technology.  Each piece is individually hand numbered with a G/P designation after the print number to correspond with the Certificate of Authenticity.  The G/P edition can also be distinguished by the unique dime-sized gold foil Remarque stamped onto the image above Thomas Kinkade signature. The size of the Gallery Proof edition is approximately 35 percent of the S/N edition size.

Canvas Transfer 

A canvas transfer involves taking a paper print, adhering it to canvas, such that the canvas texture shows through the print.  A canvas transfer does not have textured brushstrokes unless they are applied as a separate process.

Edition

The total number of copies that are signed and numbered.

Gallery Wrapped

Gallery wrap is a very popular modern style of displaying art over wooden bars.  It is a stretched canvas that doesn’t have any visible staples or nails holding the fabric to the wooden stretcher bars so the print could be hung unframed.

Giclee

Giclee is derived from a French word meaning “to squirt”.  Giclees are produced using high tech inkjet printing, with 6 colors of ink.  Giclees allow for much more accurate color than lithographs.  Giclees are produced from digital images, without the need for negatives, as in lithography.

Hors d’Commerce

A special, smaller edition of the print which is held closely by the publisher, artist, or gallery.  These prints are sometimes given as gifts by the artist or used as samples to show at galleries.  These prints are often valued as artist proofs or higher, since they are rarer.  “Hors d’Commerce” is French for “out of trade” and is abbreviated to HC.  HC proofs may or may not be signed by the artist.

Lithography

Printing technique in which the image areas on the lithographic stone or metal plate are chemically treated to except ink and repel water, while the non-image areas are treated to repel ink and retain water.  Because the printing surface remains flat, lithography is sometimes referred to as a planographic technique

Publisher Proof (P/P)

The canvas is individually hand-highlighted under the supervision of the artist.  Each canvas is authenticated by a double referencing authorization system featuring DNA technology.  Each piece is individually hand numbered with a P/P designation after the print number to correspond with the Certificate of Authenticity. The canvas also has a back stamp identifying it as a publisher’s proof. The size of the Publisher Proof edition is approximately 15 percent of the S/N edition size.

Examination Proof (E/P)

The canvas is individually hand-highlighted under the supervision of the artist.  Each canvas is authenticated by a double referencing authorization system featuring DNA technology.  Each piece is individually hand numbered with an E/P designation after the print number to correspond with the Certificate of Authenticity.  This edition is a preview edition sent out to galleries before the official release of the image.  The size of the Examination Proof edition is quite small, usually 10 to 20 percent of the S/N edition size.

International Proof (I/P)

The canvas is individually hand-highlighted under the supervision of the artist.  Each canvas is authenticated by a double referencing authorization system featuring DNA technology.  Each piece is individually hand numbered with an I/P designation after the print number to correspond with the Certificate of Authenticity. This edition is restricted for exclusive distribution through the Thomas Kinkade Signature Galleries outside of the United States. They can be distinguished by the unique gold foil remarque stamped onto the image and the designation of I/P in the numbering process. The I/P also features hand highlighting and the DNA Signature.

Antilier National (A/N)

The canvas is individually hand-highlighted under the supervision of the artist.  Each canvas is authenticated by a double referencing authorization system featuring DNA technology.  Each piece is individually hand numbered with an A/N  designation after the print number to correspond with the Certificate of Authenticity.

Jewel Edition (JE)

The Jewel Edition is an extremely limited edition, which includes hand applied “Jewel Dust” to stratigic elements of the image. It is then finished by a Master Highlighter with additional highlighting and a special “Jewel Edition” silkscreen Remarque is applied to the verso side of the canvas. Each Jewel Edition is designated by letter JE during the numbering process.

Serigraph Edition (SE)

Serigraphy is a fancy term for silkscreen printing, coming from “seri,” which is Latin for “silk,” and “graphos,” which is Ancient Greek for “writing.” Serigraphy, also known as screen printing, is a printing technique that involves pushing ink through a mesh screen onto a substrate, using stencils to create patterns or images. Explore its significance in the world of art.

Renaissance Edition (R/E)

This edition is a special reserve edition created with a textured brushstroke process that recreates the artist’s actual brushwork. There is significantly more texture on these canvases than all lower editions. It is then finished in oil by a master highlighter, a special silk-screened remarque is applied to the verso side of the front of the canvas and foil stamp silver Renaissance Edition seal is applied to the back. Each Renaissance Edition is designated by the letters R/E after the print number.  The size of the Renaissance Edition is equal to 8 percent of the S/N edition size.

Studio Proof (S/P)

This edition is created with a textured brushstroke process that recreated the artist’s actual brushwork. Much like the Renaissance Edition, there is significantly more texture and highlighting on these canvases than SN, AP, GP, PP or EP editions. It is then finished in oil by a master highlighter, who also draws an original detailed charcoal sketched remarque on the back of the canvas. Each unique canvas is created under Thomas Kinkade close supervision.

Upon satisfactory completion, Thomas Kinkade applies final highlights himself, and hand signs the front of the canvas in metallic gold ink. Finally a foil stamped gold Studio Proof seal is applied to the back. Each S/P is designated by the letters S/P after the print number.  The size of the Studio Proof edition is equal to 4 percent of the S/N edition size.

Estate Edition (EE)

The Estate Edition is an extremely limited edition created with a textured process. It is then finished by a Master Highlighter with additional highlighting and a special hand sketched Remarque is applied to the verso side of the canvas. Eash Estate Edition is designated by letter EE during the numbering process.

Masters Edition (M/E)

This work is the ultimate expression of detail, artist involvement and collectability of any edition issued by Thomas Kinkade. Masters Edition textured canvas are extensively hand highlighted by Thomas Kinkade himself over the foundation of apprentice highlighting. In addition to the personal retouching, Thom applies a thumb print and a masters Edition Seal to the back of the piece. Each Masters Edition bears the authorized security signature and is hand signed in metallic ink, and designated with the letters M/E after the print number.  Typically, there is only one ME created in each size for each image.