How we make our handcrafted historical prints at Artifex
- Dubravko
- Apr 22, 2020
- 6 min read
Updated: Mar 3
I am so glad you are here to learn about our workshop. Making historical replicas is a slow process that we take very seriously. In this post, you will learn how we source our images, why we use a beeswax finish, and how to care for your wall art so it lasts for years.
Where do the images come from?
I spend a lot of time looking through old books and museum archives. I look for historical sources that are very old, like antique maps, city views, and botanical illustrations. I also love natural history illustrations of animals and plants. Many of these images are hundreds of years old. Because they are so old, the copyright has usually expired. This means we can legally use them to make new art for your home.
It is important to know that laws about old images can change depending on where you live. I always try to be very careful. I only use images that I am sure are safe to share. I do not just copy them. I spend hours cleaning up the digital files to fix stains or rips. I want the art to look authentic but also clean enough to hang on a wall. You can see the full range of what we have found in our historical art collection.
We use these historical illustrations because they have a calm feeling. They remind us of a time when things were made slowly. When you look at a map from the 1600s, you see how people used to view the world. It is like having a little piece of a museum in your own living room.
How are they made?
Our process is very slow. We do not use a big factory. Everything happens right here in our family workshop. We start with high quality paper that is white and plain. Then we begin the work to turn it into something that feels like real parchment.
Here is the step by step process we use:
First, I treat the paper to change its color. I use a hand-staining method that makes the paper look like it has aged for a very long time. This gives it a warm tone.
I often burn the edges of the paper. I do this by hand very carefully. It makes the prints look like they were rescued from an old library.
Once the paper is dry, we print the illustrations using high quality ink. This ink stays bright and does not fade quickly.
After printing, I add gold paint highlights. I use a fine brush to add small touches of gold paint to the edges. This is not real gold. It is a special paint that catches the light beautifully when the sun hits it.
Finally, I finish each piece with a beeswax coating. I rub the wax into the paper. This gives the print a soft feel and a faint smell of honey. It also helps protect the paper from moisture.
Since I do this work by hand, every one of our prints is unique. No two pages will ever be exactly the same. For example, your antique world map might have a slightly darker edge than another one because of how the paper takes the stain. When I work on a botanical print, I spend time making sure the gold paint highlights sit perfectly on the fruit. If you choose an antique city view, the beeswax finish will catch the light and make the scene look very warm. We also offer a natural history illustration that shows the incredible detail found in these old illustrations. This variety is what makes our workshop special.
We want our wall art to feel heavy and real. When you touch it, it should not feel like a modern poster. It should feel like something that has a history. The beeswax and the hand processing are what make that happen. It takes more time, but we think it is worth the effort. We believe that home decor should be special and personal.
Can I get a custom size?
We know that every home has different spaces. Sometimes a standard size does not fit the frame you already have. Because we make everything ourselves, we can often change the size of our prints for you. We can also change how dark the paper looks or how much we burn the edges.
If you have a special project in mind, please Contact us. We like talking to our customers. We can tell you if a certain illustration will look good at a very large size. Some images have so much detail that they look better when they are big.
How do I take care of them?
Taking care of your handcrafted historical prints is easy, but there are a few things to keep in mind. These are made of paper and wax, so they are a bit more delicate than a plastic poster.
Where to hang
The best place to hang your art is away from direct sunlight. Even though we use good ink, strong sun can eventually fade any paper. It is also best to avoid places with a lot of humidity, like a small bathroom.
Framing basics
I always recommend putting your prints in a frame. This keeps them flat and protects them from dust. If you use a mat around the print, make sure it is acid free. Since our prints have burned edges, many people like to "float" them on top of a backing board so you can see the edges.
Cleaning and small bends
If your print gets a little bit of dust on it, you can wipe it very gently with a soft, dry cloth. Do not use water or cleaning sprays. If the paper gets a small bend, you can usually flatten it out by putting it under a heavy book for a day.
Water and heat
Keep your prints away from heaters. High heat can melt the beeswax finish. Also, never let the print get wet. If water splashes on it, blot it dry immediately with a clean towel. You can read more about our suggestions in our returns and care policy.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Where do you get your historical images?
We source our illustrations from public domain archives and old books that are no longer under copyright. We spend a lot of time cleaning them up so they look great when printed.
Will my print be damaged during shipping?
We ship our prints in very sturdy tubes or flat mailers to keep them safe. The beeswax finish also makes the paper a bit tougher, so they arrive in excellent condition.
Can you make a print in a size that is not listed?
Yes, we can do custom sizes for most of our prints. Since we handle the printing ourselves, we can adjust the dimensions to fit your specific frame.
Do I need to use glass when framing these?
It is usually best to use glass to protect the paper from dust. If you like the look of the texture, you can frame them without glass, but you will need to dust them very gently.
Is the gold on the prints real gold?
No, we use high quality gold paint highlights. These give a beautiful shine that looks like old manuscript art while keeping the prints affordable.
Thank you for supporting our small family workshop and letting us share our love for history with you.
Thank you for supporting our small family workshop and letting us share our love for history with you.
Explore our handcrafted collections
While the artisan process stays the same for every piece we make, each collection has its own unique story to tell. If you want to see how our hand burned edges and beeswax finish look across different subjects, you can explore our main categories here:
Antique Maps: Discover the legends and hidden details of the old world.
Vintage Art: Classic illustrations that bring a calm and authentic feel to your home.
Botanical Art: Detailed prints that celebrate the natural beauty of plants and flowers.
Sea Life Art: Vintage views of the mysterious creatures found in the deep ocean.
Vintage Insects Art: Handcrafted replicas that show the tiny and beautiful details of nature.
Vintage City Views: A look back at the historical layouts of the world’s most famous cities.
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