How to Tell if Something is an Original or a Print

So, you're standing in front of a piece of art—maybe at a gallery, a thrift store, your grandma’s attic—and you’re wondering: Is this the real deal? Or just a really convincing print?

Fret not; you don’t need to be an expert. There are a few simple tricks to help you figure out whether that piece is a one-of-a-kind original or a beautifully made reproduction.

Note: there are pieces that are original prints. What does this mean? It’s printed by hand (like screen-printing, lithography, dye sublimation, etc.) vs. printed digitally.

Let’s break it down.

1. Get up close and personal

Original artworks like paintings, drawings, or collages often have texture. You might see brush strokes, pencil marks, or layered materials that rise off the surface a bit. Prints, on the other hand, are usually flat. If you tilt the artwork in the light and it looks completely smooth, that’s a clue it could be a print.

Lightly run your hand (if allowed) over the surface. Originals often have some kind of tactile quality. There are also prints that have added texture to mimic paint strokes, in this case, check for other identifiers.

2. Check the edges

If the artwork is framed, try to peek at the edges of the image inside the mat or under the glass. Originals might show evidence of where the artist started or stopped, while prints often have super clean, crisp borders.

If you see a torn or deckled edge on paper, it might be a hand-pulled print or a limited edition—worth a closer look!

3. Look for dots (the telltale sign of printing)

Look for a grid of tiny dots/pixels. This is called a halftone pattern, and it’s how many commercial prints are made. If you spot a bunch of little dots creating the image—especially under a magnifying glass—it’s likely a print.

Originals won’t have those dots (unless it’s an original collage that uses printed pieces within it or an original screen-printed piece). Instead, they’ll show variation in texture, color, and line that looks, well…human.

4. Signed or numbered?

Look for clues in the margins. Many prints are signed and numbered by the artist. You might see something like “12/100” in the bottom corner—that means it’s the 12th print in a limited run of 100. Again, by-hand prints are different than digital ones. Digital prints usually hold less value.

Originals might also be signed, but usually not numbered (unless it’s part of a series, which is a whole other thing).

5. Check the materials

Original drawings and collages are usually on textured or high-quality paper. If it looks like printer paper, it’s probably not original. If it’s on canvas, look for brush texture, paint buildup, or areas where the artist may have changed their mind mid-stroke. That kind of messiness is hard to fake.

Some prints are made on canvas, and they can look very convincing. Which brings us to…

6. The “Giclée” Factor

Ever heard of a giclée print? It’s a high-quality inkjet print made on fancy paper or canvas. They’re often marketed as “archival” or “museum quality.” They’re beautiful, but still prints. If you see one, don’t be fooled by the textured surface—look closely for those dots and uniformity in the image.

7. Ask questions (Google is a great place to start)

If you’re unsure, try asking the seller or do a little research on the artist. See if they typically work in originals, or if they sell limited edition prints. Look up the title of the piece if you can find it.

A little sleuthing goes a long way—and it's fun to dive into the backstory of a piece you love.

Bottom Line? If it has texture, irregularities, signs of handwork, and feels alive—that’s a good sign it’s original. If it looks too perfect, too flat, or too dotty (in the printing sense), it’s probably a print. Both have value and beauty—it just depends what you’re looking for.

Happy art hunting! 🖼✨