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Medium

Offset lithograph

An offset lithograph is a print made on a printing press. The ink goes from a metal plate to a rubber cylinder and then to the paper, which is the “offset”. In 1997 Southwest Art described Robert Bateman, Terry Redlin and Bev Doolittle as offset lithographic print artists.270

How an offset lithograph is made

Most printmaking techniques print directly from the plate or block. Offset lithography adds a step: the image is transferred to an intermediate surface before it reaches the sheet.12

It is a photomechanical process. The image is reproduced mechanically in ink, as colored dots that can be seen under magnification. The Greenwich Workshop, which published Bev Doolittle, describes offset lithography as a photomechanical or digital printing technique.324

How to tell one from an original print

Look through a magnifying glass. Under low magnification an offset lithograph shows a regular rosette pattern of ink dots across the image, and the ink looks soft-edged, as if it has sunk into the paper.2

An Antiques Roadshow print appraiser gives the same test: a uniform pattern of dots means a reproduction. He adds that it is a general guide and does not catch every case.5

In a hand-made lithograph the artist draws directly on the stone with a greasy medium, and in a woodcut the artist makes the image on the block. An offset lithograph of a painting is something else: a reproduction of an image made in a different medium, which is how California’s fine-print law describes it.678

Signed and numbered

Publishers sold these prints as limited editions. The Greenwich Workshop says each print in its editions is signed by the artist and then consecutively numbered, and that a certificate of authenticity accompanies each edition.49

The number is written like a fraction. The figure on the right is the size of the edition; the figure on the left is that print’s own number.6

The signature deserves a second look. Under California law a print counts as signed only if the artist autographed it by hand after it was produced; a signature that is only in the plate does not count. A print can carry both: an auction listing for one copy of Doolittle’s Sacred Ground records a signature and a second signature in the plate.1011

A poster is a different object. The Greenwich Workshop describes posters as generally mass produced with commercial inks and papers.4

What it means for value

A library preservation guide notes that when a print is identified as a photolithograph, it can be assumed that many copies were produced. The Print Council of America adds that photomechanical reproductions cost less to produce than hand-made prints.27

Edition sizes show the range. Bev Doolittle’s Woodland Encounter of 1981 was an edition of 1,500. Her Sacred Ground of 1989 was an edition of 69,996.1213

The table shows what prints by the eleven artists on this site sold for on eBay in our latest snapshot. What is my print worth? explains what lies behind the figures.

eBay sold listings in the Art category, collected 13 November 2026
ArtistSoldLowMedianHigh
Sabra Field33$273$995$19,870
Gordon Mortensen14$100$750$1,500
Bev Doolittle314$1$135$4,700
Terry Redlin278$3$93$2,240
Robert Bateman104$7$125$1,500
Carl Brenders46$10$125$671
Ray Harm92$10$63$1,200
Les Kouba46$8$55$1,950
David Maass37$15$50$360
Stephen Lyman28$20$200$3,395
P. Buckley Moss401$6$65$1,500

Artists on this site working in offset lithograph

Offset lithograph print pages

TitleArtistYearRecent sold
Woodland Encounter Bev Doolittle 19811214 median $130 (14 sold)
Hide and Seek Bev Doolittle 1990 (one source: 2002)151617 median $119 (5 sold)
The Forest Has Eyes Bev Doolittle 19841819 median $80 (15 sold)
Sacred Ground Bev Doolittle 19892021 median $400 (16 sold)
Three More for Breakfast Bev Doolittle 19962214 none in snapshot
Unknown Presence Bev Doolittle 19812314 median $100 (4 sold)
Season of the Eagle Bev Doolittle 1987 (one source: 1989)24252627 median $135 (9 sold)
Let My Spirit Soar Bev Doolittle 19842829 median $80 (3 sold)
Sacred Circle Bev Doolittle 19913031 median $170 (12 sold)
Evening with Friends Terry Redlin 199032 median $155 (11 sold)
Best Friends Terry Redlin 199033 median $90 (8 sold)
The Sharing Season Terry Redlin 1985–863435 median $113 (8 sold)
Evening Solitude Terry Redlin 199036 median $80 (7 sold)
Twilight Time Terry Redlin 199737 median $200 (6 sold)
Winter Wonderland Terry Redlin 19923839 median $84 (5 sold)
Heading Home Terry Redlin 199040 median $80 (3 sold)
Shoreline Neighbors Terry Redlin 199341 none in snapshot
Morning Surprise Terry Redlin 199642 none in snapshot
Sunset Harvest Terry Redlin 199843 none in snapshot
Yellow-Throat Ray Harm 1973 (one dealer)444546 median $12 (3 sold)
Rufous-sided Towhee Ray Harm 19694748 none in snapshot
Red-winged Blackbird Ray Harm 196749 none in snapshot
Yellow-breasted Chat Ray Harm 19735045 none in snapshot
Evening Grosbeak Ray Harm 197351 none in snapshot
White-throated Sparrow Ray Harm 1972 (one dealer)52 none in snapshot
The Feeder Group Ray Harm [year not confirmed] none in snapshot
California Quail Ray Harm 19735348 none in snapshot
Summer Wildflowers Ray Harm 196754 none in snapshot
Pride of Autumn – Canada Goose Robert Bateman 1987555657 median $60 (3 sold)
Midnight – Black Wolf Robert Bateman 19895859 none in snapshot
The Air, the Forest and the Watch Robert Bateman Painted 19896061 none in snapshot
High Kingdom – Snow Leopard Robert Bateman Painted 198662 none in snapshot
Siberian Tiger Robert Bateman Painted 199163 none in snapshot
Through the Birches – White-tailed Deer Robert Bateman Painted 199164 none in snapshot
Ready for the Hunt – Snowy Owl Robert Bateman Painted 197465 none in snapshot
Giant Panda Robert Bateman Painted 198566 none in snapshot
Shadow of the Rainforest – Black Jaguar Robert Bateman Painted 199267 none in snapshot
A Walk in the Woods Stephen Lyman c. 198868 median $50 (4 sold)
Warmed by the View Stephen Lyman [year not confirmed] none in snapshot
Wilderness Welcome Stephen Lyman [year not confirmed] none in snapshot
Beach Bonfire Stephen Lyman [year not confirmed] none in snapshot
Sounds of Sunset Stephen Lyman [year not confirmed] none in snapshot
Evening Star Stephen Lyman [year not confirmed] none in snapshot
Midnight Fire Stephen Lyman [year not confirmed] none in snapshot
Den Mother – Wolf Family Carl Brenders 199269 median $145 (6 sold)
One to One – Gray Wolf Carl Brenders [year not confirmed] none in snapshot
Full House – Fox Family Carl Brenders [year not confirmed] none in snapshot
Mother of Pearls Carl Brenders [year not confirmed] none in snapshot
Top of the World – Polar Bear Carl Brenders [year not confirmed] none in snapshot
Shadows in the Grass – Cougars Carl Brenders [year not confirmed] none in snapshot
In Northern Hunting Grounds Carl Brenders [year not confirmed] none in snapshot
Off Limits – Bobcat Carl Brenders [year not confirmed] none in snapshot
On the Alert – Red Fox Carl Brenders [year not confirmed] none in snapshot
Narrow Escape – Chipmunk Carl Brenders [year not confirmed] none in snapshot

Offset lithograph prints on eBay now

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Sources

  1. Offset lithography (art terms). Tate. Read 13 November 2026.
  2. Photomechanical Prints (Preservation Self-Assessment Program, Collection ID Guide). University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Library. Read 13 November 2026.
  3. Glossary of printmaking terms. Waddington's Auctioneers and Appraisers. Read 13 November 2026.
  4. FAQ. The Greenwich Workshop. Read 13 November 2026.
  5. Prints & Renoir 'Le Chapeau Epingle' Etching (appraisal transcript, appraiser Todd Weyman, Louisville). PBS Antiques Roadshow (GBH), 2007. Read 13 November 2026.
  6. Collecting guide: key things to know about Prints and Multiples. Christie's, 30 September 2026. Read 13 November 2026.
  7. What is an Original Print?. Print Council of America. Read 13 November 2026.
  8. California Civil Code section 1744 (information required in the certificate of authenticity). California Legislative Information. Read 13 November 2026.
  9. About Us. The Greenwich Workshop. Read 13 November 2026.
  10. California Civil Code section 1740 (Title 1.2, Sale of Fine Prints: definitions). California Legislative Information. Read 13 November 2026.
  11. Bev Doolittle Offset Lithograph "Sacred Ground," 1989. EBTH (ebth.com) auction listing. Read 13 November 2026.
  12. Bev Doolittle presents "Woodland Encounter". Art & Nature Gallery. Read 13 November 2026.
  13. Sacred Ground. The Greenwich Workshop. Read 13 November 2026.
  14. Art Country Canada - BEV DOOLITTLE Limited Edition Print and Giclee Canvas Art Collection. Art Country Canada / Rocky Mountain Art Gallery (Canmore, Alberta). Read 13 November 2026.
  15. "Hide And Seek" Print Suite by Bev Doolittle. Art & Nature Gallery. Read 13 November 2026.
  16. Portfolio of Bev Doolittle Offset Lithographs "Hide and Seek," 1990. EBTH (ebth.com) auction listing. Read 13 November 2026.
  17. BEV DOOLITTLE Hide and Seek. Art Country Canada. Read 13 November 2026.
  18. "The Forest Has Eyes" by Bev Doolittle. Art & Nature Gallery. Read 13 November 2026.
  19. BEV DOOLITTLE The Forest Has Eyes. Art Country Canada. Read 13 November 2026.
  20. Collectors Respond Strongly to Return of Bev Doolittle to Limited Edition Art World with Beyond Negotiations Her First New Painting in Eight Years. The Greenwich Workshop (press release), 17 May 2007. Read 13 November 2026.
  21. "Sacred Ground" by Bev Doolittle. Art & Nature Gallery. Read 13 November 2026.
  22. "Three More For Breakfast" by Bev Doolittle. Art & Nature Gallery. Read 13 November 2026.
  23. "Unknown Presence" by Bev Doolittle. Art & Nature Gallery. Read 13 November 2026.
  24. Bev Doolittle, Season of the Eagle. RoGallery. Read 13 November 2026.
  25. BEV DOOLITTLE Season of the Eagle. Art Country Canada. Read 13 November 2026.
  26. Bev Doolitle Offset Lithograph "Season of the Eagle," 1987. EBTH (ebth.com) auction listing. Read 13 November 2026.
  27. "Season Of The Eagle" by Bev Doolittle. Art & Nature Gallery. Read 13 November 2026.
  28. "Let My Spirit Soar" by Bev Doolittle. Art & Nature Gallery. Read 13 November 2026.
  29. BEV DOOLITTLE Let My Spirit Soar. Art Country Canada. Read 13 November 2026.
  30. "Sacred Circle" by Bev Doolittle. Art & Nature Gallery. Read 13 November 2026.
  31. BEV DOOLITTLE Sacred Circle. Art Country Canada. Read 13 November 2026.
  32. Evening with Friends. Redlin Art Center. Read 13 November 2026.
  33. Best Friends. Redlin Art Center. Read 13 November 2026.
  34. Sharing Season I. Redlin Art Center. Read 13 November 2026.
  35. Sharing Season II. Redlin Art Center. Read 13 November 2026.
  36. Evening Solitude. Redlin Art Center. Read 13 November 2026.
  37. Twilight Time. Redlin Art Center. Read 13 November 2026.
  38. Winter Wonderland. Redlin Art Center. Read 13 November 2026.
  39. Terry Redlin Offset Lithograph “Winter Wonderland,” 1992. EBTH (online estate auction). Read 13 November 2026.
  40. Heading Home. Redlin Art Center. Read 13 November 2026.
  41. Shoreline Neighbors. Redlin Art Center. Read 13 November 2026.
  42. Morning Surprise. Redlin Art Center. Read 13 November 2026.
  43. Sunset Harvest. Redlin Art Center. Read 13 November 2026.
  44. Yellow Throat. RoGallery (dealer). Read 13 November 2026.
  45. Yellow-breasted Chat. RoGallery (dealer). Read 13 November 2026.
  46. Ray Harm Offset Lithograph "Yellow-Throat," Late 20th Century. EBTH (online estate auction). Read 13 November 2026.
  47. Ray Harm print page: Rufous-sided Towhee. rayharm.com (the artist’s official site). Read 13 November 2026.
  48. Ray Harm Offset Lithographs (Goldfinch, Rufous-Sided Towhee, California Quail). EBTH (online estate auction). Read 13 November 2026.
  49. Ray Harm print page: Red Winged Blackbird. rayharm.com (the artist’s official site). Read 13 November 2026.
  50. Ray Harm print page: Yellow Breasted Chat. rayharm.com (the artist’s official site). Read 13 November 2026.
  51. Ray Harm print page: Evening Grosbeaks. rayharm.com (the artist’s official site). Read 13 November 2026.
  52. White-throated Sparrow. RoGallery (dealer). Read 13 November 2026.
  53. California Quail. Eastern Kentucky University Libraries, Digital Collections. Read 13 November 2026.
  54. Ray Harm print page: Summer Wildflower set of 6. rayharm.com (the artist’s official site). Read 13 November 2026.
  55. Discovery Art, lot 332: Robert Bateman, Pride of Autumn – Canada Goose. Waddington’s (auction), 17 November 2022. Read 13 November 2026.
  56. Robert Bateman: Pride of Autumn - Canada Goose. Art Country Canada (dealer, Canmore, Alberta). Read 13 November 2026.
  57. Pride of Autumn - Canada Goose. robertbateman.ca (the artist’s official site). Read 13 November 2026.
  58. Midnight - Black Wolf. robertbateman.ca (the artist’s official site). Read 13 November 2026.
  59. Robert Bateman Presents "Midnight - Black Wolf". Art & Nature (dealer, Kirkland, Quebec). Read 13 November 2026.
  60. The Air, the Forest and the Watch. robertbateman.ca (the artist’s official site). Read 13 November 2026.
  61. The Air, the Forest and the Watch: Premier Edition original lithograph. robertbateman.ca (the artist’s official site). Read 13 November 2026.
  62. High Kingdom - Snow Leopard. robertbateman.ca (the artist’s official site). Read 13 November 2026.
  63. Siberian Tiger. robertbateman.ca (the artist’s official site). Read 13 November 2026.
  64. Through the Birches - White-tailed Deer. robertbateman.ca (the artist’s official site). Read 13 November 2026.
  65. Ready for the Hunt - Snowy Owl. robertbateman.ca (the artist’s official site). Read 13 November 2026.
  66. Giant Panda. robertbateman.ca (the artist’s official site). Read 13 November 2026.
  67. Shadow of the Rainforest - Black Jaguar. robertbateman.ca (the artist’s official site). Read 13 November 2026.
  68. Offset Lithograph A Walk In the Woods after Stephen Lyman. EBTH (online estate auction). Read 13 November 2026.
  69. Carl Brenders Limited Edition Offset Lithograph "Den Mother - Wolf Family" | EBTH. EBTH (online estate auction). Read 13 November 2026.
  70. Bev Doolittle: Limited Edition Prints, by Myrna Zanetell. Southwest Art Magazine, June 1997. Read 13 November 2026.