The purpose of the Guild Print Standards is to protect the interests of consumers and maintain confidence in the art and framing industry. Artists, publishers and fine art printers are encouraged to promote their high production standards and the integrity of their limited editions by following Guild Standards and should ideally be used in conjunction with BS 7876:1996. Only prints by fully paid up members of the Guild conforming to Guild Standards can use the Guild logo.
Key requirements
* Lightfastness of finished print - results of 6 or more on the Blue Wool Scale in all areas of the print - or its equivalent under empirical test conditions.
* Guild standard pH for substrate of 7-9, amended September 2002 to pH 7-10 (interim position).
* Minimum weight of substrate of 250gsm.
* It is recommended that prints carry the following information: title; artist's and, where different, publisher's name; the year; country of origin; the international copyright symbol; the words 'Published to Fine Art Trade Guild Standards' plus the Guild logo.
* The following information should also accompany the print: substrate, ink type, production method and machine details. In the case of a limited edition print, the maximum number in the edition worldwide, plus specifics relating to variations in size, substrate etc. as may be applicable to some editions (eg giclées) should also be included.
* No print should claim to meet the Guild Print Standards unless the producer has had a print tested by a UKAS approved laboratory during the previous 12 months, and that they are using an identical print method, materials and equipment to the print that has passed.
Limited edition prints
* The Guild recommends that edition size is kept below 850, including artists' proofs, worldwide.
* A limited edition print is based on an agreement between the licensor, usually the artist or artist's estate, as holder of the copyright, and the licensee, usually the publisher. The Guild recommends that the licensor agrees that no previous reproductions have been made and that neither he nor his heirs will allow an image to be published again. The publisher promises not to exceed the agreed print run, and all matrices and/or origination materials and overs have been or will be destroyed on completion of the print run/edition size.
* No part or whole of a print published as limited edition should be reproduced in any other form anywhere in the world, except for the sole purpose of promotion, eg in a brochure, sales literature or in a book.
* Specific documentation with full disclosure should accompany any print described as limited edition. Minimum standards of ink and paper must be met.
* Anything else does not confirm to Guild print standards, but is considered ethical when accompanied by full disclosure.
The Guild logo
* The Guild logo can now only be printed onto a print or associated with a print that is printed to Guild standards by a fully paid up member of the Guild.
* Guild Approved printers, all of whom are Guild Members, have the right to apply the Guild logo to a fine art print whether or not the client is a Guild member, providing they have an appropriate UKAS approved laboratory report on the same combination of the print carrying the logo during the previous 12 months. Non-member printers can only do this for member clients.
* The Guild logo should be reproduced in single colour (usually black and white) and, based on the design specification sheet supplied to members, no smaller than 15mm height, with at least a 30% tint. It must be clearly visible, preferably positioned in the bottom left hand corner below the print. Alternatives should be agreed by prior arrangement with the appropriate Guild staff member.
For further information, contact Moira
Sanders on 020 7381 6616 or email.
|
