

value, check out the Ken Lum editions sold at the Vancouver Art Gallery gift shop.Īrchival inks on arches watercolour paper Thus, it has a higher monetary and market value.Īs an example of edition size vs. The lower number of editions, the more collectible the work is. The number of prints or photo editions in a limited edition directly affects the value of that work. As the Wikipedia article on editions explains, reproduction prints are “essentially in the same category as a picture in a book or magazine, though better printed and on better paper.” Number of photo editions, and their value

Reproduction prints have a far lower value. Original prints are valued as collectible as any other artistic medium. For example, a photograph of a painting or drawing which is then printed out as an edition is considered a “reproduction” of the original artwork, and not artwork itself. A work of art created digitally on a computer and printed out is also an original print.Ī reproduction print indicates that the print is not the original medium of the artwork. Any type of printmaking is an original print (intaglio, monoprint, etc). For example, a printed photograph is an original print. Reproduction PrintsĪn original print indicates that the print is of the original medium that the artist created the work in. Because of the unknown quantity of prints, their market value tends to be much lower. This can be directly on the photo paper, or in pen or pencil on a label or the material which the photograph is mounted to.Īn unlimited edition print is a print run that has no fixed number of prints. It is usually marked in pencil on the reverse side of a photo edition. The number of a limited edition print is usually marked in pencil on the front of an actual print (lithograph, collograph, etc).

For example, the first print in an edition of 20 would be marked as 1/20 and the last work in this edition would be marked 20/20. Secondly, the size of the entire print run. Limited edition prints are marked with two numbers. Unlimited EditionĪ limited edition print is an edition that has a fixed number of prints.

Additionally, how many photo editions should be in a set? Below is an overview of the most key information for artists who print and sell editioned artwork. When considering prices of artwork and art market value, how do photo editions and print editions factor in? If you’re an artist wondering how to price your art, you might also wonder how editions should affect your pricing.
