Drucke

Drucke is a German noun meaning prints or impressions produced by printing. It is the plural form of Druck and is used in German-language contexts to refer to multiple copies of an image or design generated by a printing process, as opposed to a single original drawing or painting.

In art and publishing, Drucke denotes the reproducible outputs created from a printing matrix such as a woodcut, engraving, etching, or lithograph. Catalogs, exhibitions, and auction notices may use the term to distinguish these printed impressions from the original medium or from other media, and they often indicate edition information to reflect limited runs.

The term encompasses a range of printmaking techniques. Holzschnitt (woodcut) and Kupferstich (copper engraving) are traditional methods, while Radierung (etching) and Lithografie (lithography) illustrate later developments in print technology. The concept of Drucke highlights the collaborative relationship between the artist and the printmaker, as well as the distribution of an artwork through multiple copies.

Beyond its technical use, Drucke may also be encountered as a surname in German-speaking regions. In general usage, the word should be interpreted from context to determine whether it refers to prints or to people bearing the name.