Glossary: Plate mark

When a etching or engraving plate etc. is placed in a printing press and pressure is applied, a mark is impressed into the paper forming an outer boundary around the picture. This is called the plate mark. Collectors of old master prints used to trim their images to the plate mark and most early works that you see in museums and collections are cut accordingly. Today this process is frowned on and it is vital for the picture to have its full margins and plate marks to retain its value. Don't be worried if you see a Rembrandt or a Durer trimmed to the edge of the image and with no visible plate mark as this is perfectly normal.  If however your print is from the 19th century onwards and has been cropped then it is best not to buy it as the value has been greatly reduced.

If you follow the link to our etchings for sale, you will see that they all have full margins and plate marks.