https://www.thepicturalist.com/blogs/blog/demistifying-open-edition-prints-limited-editions/
OPEN EDITION PRINTS? LIMITED EDITION PRINTS? NUMBERED PRINTS?
Many collectors disregard prints. Prints are often seen as mass-produced copies of famous artworks that are just not that valuable or worth investing in. But nothing can be further from the truth. Prints can be just as valuable as any other artwork and certain prints are known to reach seven or eight-figure prices at auctions…
Buying prints can be a great way to acquire pieces by famous artists at affordable prices, but they can also serve as a great addition to an all-around collection that encompasses the entire body of work by a certain artist (paintings, drawings and prints alike). Since they cost only a fraction of the price of a painting or a photograph, prints are also a great way for new art collectors to kick off their collection.
THE PRINT MATTERS
Original Art vs. Reproduction
Not all art prints are reproductions of other famous artworks. Quite the opposite, there are many art pieces that are only made as prints. These prints are called original prints, while prints that represent copies of other art pieces are called reproductions. Just like paintings or sculptures, original art prints are an original work of art that adds to their value and their price. Expect to pay more for an original art print than for a reproduction
Open vs. Limited Edition Prints
Prints are produced in series called editions. Unlike unlimited edition prints (also known as open editions), that can be reproduced an infinite number of times, limited editions are (as their name suggests) made in limited amounts. Limited editions can contain anywhere between 2 and several thousand prints, depending on the technique used and intent of the artist. Prints from small editions retain exclusivity and reach higher prices than large edition prints.
Limited Edition Prints: Are They Worth Anything?
Limited editions arose out of necessity
That necessity became a tradition in the art business. Now some dealers and artists have it in their head it makes their art “more elite” or “more marketable” or “more collectible.” REALLY? Do the research. For every limited edition that makes it to the secondary market and sells for greater prices than initially offered, thousands of limited editions that never sell out. Why bother?
Artists can still sequentially number open editions
If an artist wants to number them, it’s fine. Just don’t limit them. I believe there would be some prints that were an open edition, but numbered, that would still find the lower numbers collectible.
As an designer, give your clients what they want
One of the greatest advantages, besides no inventory, to giclées is they can be made to order to suit the customer. This development is a first for the art business, and the industry has not picked up on the fact more art would be sold if artists allowed people to order the size they want. They were completely missing a huge opportunity to fill the needs of buyers in ways never before possible, and it is easy.
Things are different now, and they are not going back – Time to get with it
It seems if those who continue to rely on these outdated tactics are going to have an increasingly difficult time in the future. It was not that long ago that many people in the industry thought giclées and digital prints were the worst things that happened to the business. It turns out print-on-demand was one of the best things in the past 100 years for the business. It’s time now to move, so the marketing of this incredible technology catches up with the benefits the technical development have brought us.
