How can I tell if my signed print is original or a reproduction?

Look at the signature and the print itself under a magnifying glass. A hand-signed print has pencil or ink that sits on top of the paper, often with slight indentation and uneven pressure. A signature printed as part of the image looks flat and is made of the same dots or ink as the picture. Look also for a number like 45/200 written in pencil, which shows a limited edition.

The printing method matters. A regular pattern of tiny dots means a photomechanical reproduction, like a poster or magazine page. Original lithographs, etchings, woodcuts and screenprints show solid ink areas, plate marks around etchings, or slight texture. Check the paper too: fine prints are usually on heavy art paper, sometimes with a watermark, and older prints often have deckled edges.

Backs of frames can hold gallery labels or certificates, but certificates alone do not prove anything. An art appraiser or an auction company that handles fine art can tell you what you have and whether the artist's name makes it worth pursuing.