Sam Leitch Fine Art Prints – Limited Edition Screenprints & Giclée

The Studio Practice: Screenprinting & Giclée Editions

Sam Leitch operates across two primary printmaking mediums, treating printmaking as an expressive artisan craft rather than a simple reproduction technology:

• Hand-Separated Screenprints: Produced in collaboration with expert master printers at Artrite Screen Printing. Every colour layer is isolated, stencilled, and manually pulled through mesh screens onto heavyweight 100% cotton rag paper (such as Fabriano Artistico). Complex editions like Nothing for Granted involve up to 29 individual color passes.

• Archival Giclée Prints: Printed using high-resolution archival pigment inks on Hahnemühle German Etching 310gsm paper. Giclée editions allow for nuanced tonal gradients, fine painterly textures, and precise color fidelity.

How Sam Leitch Editions Are Signed & Authenticated

To protect collector value and maintain strict provenance, all limited edition prints from the studio adhere to rigorous fine art standards:

• Hand-Signed in Pencil: Every print is individually inspected and autographed by the artist in graphite pencil along the lower margin. Pencil is chemically inert and will not fade or degrade archival cotton paper over time.

• Numbered Editions ($X/Y$): Most screenprint and giclée runs are strictly limited to 50 or fewer pieces worldwide. Once an edition sells out, it is closed permanently.

• Artist Proofs (APs): A small fraction (typically 10% or less of the edition size) is reserved for the studio archive as Artist Proofs. APs carry added rarity for dedicated collectors.

Themes & Influences: Narrative Surrealism in NZ

Rather than traditional landscape painting, Leitch’s work sits within contemporary narrative surrealism. Familiar elements—such as native birds (tīeke and tūī), architectural elements, bottles, and geometric shapes—are placed in unexpected, dreamlike contexts.

Recent bodies of work, including the Devotion series and conservation-focused pieces celebrating offshore island sanctuaries, explore themes of ecological revival, resilience, and human connection to the environment.

Collecting & Resale Value: Why Small-Batch Editions Matter

For collectors acquiring contemporary New Zealand art, small-batch, hand-signed print editions offer strong long-term value:

1. Guaranteed Scarcity: Capped edition sizes ensure the secondary market becomes the primary route for acquisition once sold out.

2. Verified Provenance: Live hand-signatures and pencil numbering distinguish authentic fine art prints from open-run digital reproductions.

3. Archival Integrity: Museum-grade paper and pigment inks guarantee pieces remain vibrant for over 100 years.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where can I buy original signed prints by Sam Leitch?

Sam Leitch’s complete catalog of limited edition screenprints, giclée prints, and unique 1-of-1 works is available directly through his official studio website at www.samleitch.com, as well as select contemporary galleries across New Zealand.

What is the difference between Sam Leitch screenprints and giclée prints?

Screenprints are hand-pulled in tactile, layered ink passes on Fabriano cotton paper, offering graphic depth. Giclée prints use archival pigment inks on textured Hahnemühle paper to capture painterly detail and smooth color transitions.

Are Sam Leitch prints shipped internationally?

Yes. Prints are packaged to archival conservation standards and shipped domestically across New Zealand and worldwide to international collectors.

Explore the Collection

Discover hand-signed limited edition screenprints, archival giclée prints, and original 1-of-1 series online at www.samleitch.com.