When it comes to the topic of editions, there is a lot for artists to know.

Of course, y'all already know editions are a great way to spark the interest of collectors. That they create a wonderful sense of urgency when buying in the art globe. And, dissimilar "one-and-done" original works, you tin can reap the benefits again and again for weeks to come up!

But there are then many factors to keep in mind—from choosing run sizes and correct labeling to pricing and impressing collectors—that it tin be hard to know where to commencement.

The feet and uncertainty can kickoff to bubble upwardly with every answer y'all don't have. What is the right way to create, market, and sell these pieces then that collectors are happy and eventually come back for more?

To assistance yous go the value you deserve for your editions, nosotros articulate upward artists most often asked questions.

What is the departure between editions and reproductions?

An edition is office of a fix of original works of art intended for graphic reproduction and produced by or nether the supervision of the artist who designed it. These are images or casts that are produced in multiples. Examples of editions include printmaking techniques like etchings and lithographs, fine fine art photography prints, bronze castings, ceramics, etc.

Each piece of work in the edition has unique qualities and tin can vary slightly because each one is created individually.

A reproduction, on the other hand, is considered a copy/facsimile of the original piece of work—not created in the same medium every bit the original artwork, usually using photomechanical means. And then, non an artwork itself.

In fact, producing a reproduction does non typically involve the original creative person. Instead, a digital prototype is usually created of the work, and that file can then be used to reproduce it on any surface in any size. Examples of reproductions include giclee prints, iris, posters, impress-on-need items such as pillows, garments, cards, etc.

Between the two, editions are considered more than valuable, every bit they are collected like whatsoever other artistic medium. Reproduction prints typically have a much smaller worth, therefore, just because of this lower price signal can help yous reach a new segment of art buyers and they can be a valuable function of your art business strategy.

What is the deviation between open and limited editions?

With open editions, the number of prints that can be created and sold is unlimited, offering artists the chance to brand new prints based on the demand and a more than constant source of possible revenue.

This differs profoundly from limited editions, which have a fixed number of prints from the beginning of the print run. The number of limited editions is carefully chosen by the artist earlier production, and no more can be created after they are all sold.

Of course, this does make express edition prints more than valuable in the optics of a collector, so artists are able to accuse more for this blazon of impress.

Tin can't I just alter the size of my express edition run afterward?

Definitely non! Collectors buy limited editions because they are valued on the same level equally originals. Their scarcity in the art globe is what boosts their worth.

Modify the number in the run after the fact and you not only greatly decrease the value of the edition, but you break the hard-earned trust between you and your collectors—jeopardizing your entire reputation every bit an artist in the process.

To keep both their integrity and the value intact, many artists get so far as destroying the materials they used to create their works so that it's impossible to add to the edition later on.

If your express edition prints sell quickly, view this as a win! Existence so in-demand gives y'all much better positioning when you create your next limited edition run.

Tin I sell the same limited edition print in different sizes?

Yes! Artists can choose to create a few limited edition runs for the same photo or artwork in dissimilar sizes—every bit long as this is clearly expressed to potential buyers earlier a sale.

Often times, the bigger the edition is dimension-wise, a smaller amount of prints is offered and vice-versa. For case, an creative person may decide to print a hundred editions that are 4x6 in size, twenty that are 8x12, and only five that are 16x24.

This practice opens you up to a wider range of potential buyers who would adopt to purchase a smaller print while maintaining the exclusivity and value of the larger pieces for collectors who can beget it.

Merely be transparent with your fine art buyers about your offerings at all times, every bit to not harm your brownie!

What size should I brand my express edition runs?

In curt? It depends.

Every artist may have a dissimilar strategy for success, depending on the popularity of their work.

For instance, an established creative person with potential buyers at the ready can sell a scattering of express editions for hundreds or thousands of dollars a slice.

An even more famous creative person could increase the number of editions and this accessibility would still not touch the value of the work in any negative manner. Or, they might brand the decision to create only 2 works total and drive the price up exponentially!

On the flipside, an emerging artist might have an especially hard time garnering this type of interest.

For those who want their work to become collectible, the size should be kept depression. For those who'd rather keep the income stream flowing, it might exist wise to get bigger—only not and then big that the intention and urgency backside a "limited edition" becomes arbitrary.

A adept place to start could exist anywhere between 20-250, while some artists go as high equally 500 prints.

Again, it all depends on your collector-base of operations and how in-need your work really is. You may have to arrive at this number through good old fashioned trial and error.

Try taking a look at artists with like popularity. Practise some excavation on the number of pieces they are selling and for what toll. Is it working for them? What are their marketing tactics? What works for them will not necessarily work for yous, but it is a practiced way to test the waters and go your feet wet.

Just think, yous desire it to be big enough to garner sales, but small plenty to drive interest.

And if y'all find that later a few runs y'all are in such loftier demand that yous are selling out, fan the flame by decreasing the size of your next run and raising your prices!

How do I price my editions?

The general rule of thumb is the fewer prints you accept available, the more valuable they are and the higher you can price them. Only like we just talked near, a minor run solitary does non make the piece of work valuable. It greatly depends on your work's popularity in the fine art earth. Finding that sweet, sweet spot between supply and demand.

Because the less demand in that location is for a work, the less it'southward worth—which ways a lower toll tag to match.

Then, where exercise you even start?

Bless the internet, because we now accept access to a whole agglomeration of data that makes setting our prices a little easier. Instead of pulling a number out of thin air, put your inquiry cap on and start looking for artists that accept similar piece of work to what you are currently producing.

How much do these artists charge for their work? Is there a pattern in this pricing?

Just make certain yous are making an honest evaluation of your piece of work and are then comparing it to artists with a similar style, working in a similar medium, with a like corporeality of experience, likewise as selling within a similar geographical region.

Then, similar with all art pricing strategies, brand sure all of your costs for creating are covered in the final price of your run. That includes your materials, equipment, studio space, and (don't forget this one) your time!

Some other things to notation?

If limited editions brainstorm to sell out speedily, it is mutual practice for the price of the remaining pieces to increase in order to lucifer what the market is willing to pay. And even if the work is not selling like hot cakes, it's non uncommon to set the prices higher for the last few editions remaining.

The harder it is for people to get their hands on, the more valuable it is.

Prices will too differ for dissimilar sizes of the same work (i.e. larger works in smaller numbers require a higher price tag). But in this case, too, prices can be marked up at whatever signal of time, depending on the demand.

What is the correct manner to label my prints?

A limited edition is typically labeled with the number of the print created during the run, followed by the size of the print run every bit a whole.

For example, the commencement print in a run of ten would exist marked 1/10, the last beingness labeled x/10.

On your photographs or prints, write this number in pencil on the front of the artwork, on the left side simply beneath the image. For open up editions, this spot can exist left blank. Your signature goes on the right-mitt side, along with the date if desired. A title (if you accept i) can be written in the middle between the number and proper noun. Merely call back to label the piece where it won't be covered past a mat!

In that location are a few other labels artists can utilize to convey dissimilar meanings, replacing the edition number at the bottom of the piece—such every bit "AP" for Artist Proofs. You can larn more about these different labels here.

Any y'all do, be consequent! The format you employ to sign and date should be identical between prints, so you lot go on to build trust with collectors.

How else can I gain a collector'due south trust during sale?

Likewise being true to your give-and-take, labeling your work consistently, and being extremely clear nigh run sizes, ever present collectors with a professional invoice and Certificate of Authenticity for the work.

These unproblematic, however profound pieces of paper provide extra assurance that the value of the limited edition is 18-carat, as well every bit formal documentation should the owner always demand to prove its value down the route.

These documents should leave no detail out: the work's title, price, print number, medium, dimensions, engagement printed, impress run size, printer blazon, etc. Signed and dated by the artist, they should be presented to your buyers alongside your work.

It'southward incredibly easy to make them, too, if you have the right tools! Learn how here.

How can I continue my editions organized?

In that location is so much to keep track of when information technology comes to editions—pieces coming in and out of the studio, run sizes, prices, dimensions, collector information, documents, etc.—that it tin go overwhelming really fast.

And while it often seems like the everyman priority in your fine art practice, staying organized and keeping track of all of these moving parts is extremely important to the success of your business organization.

Luckily for artists, an art inventory management software like Artwork Archive offers a really simple and easy way to manage editions and reproductions, and all that entails.

With Artwork Annal, continue clear records on the number of editions created, which prints have sold, at what prices, and to which collectors. Plus, yous can add together details like inventory numbers and unique images for private editions.

The goodness doesn't stop there! Generate COAs, invoices, and other professional reports with the click of a button. Then record the edition's exhibition and award history to add to its value and credibility. Plus, stay on top of what is submitted and accepted, so y'all can stay professional and never double book or double sell the same impress again.

Yous tin fifty-fifty go insights on how well your editions are selling. And, notation which buyers you demand to reach out to again with new editions!

Ready to get your editions organized? Start your costless trial of Artwork Archive today.