Limited Edition Print

Limited edition prints are strictly limited reproductions of an original artwork. The artist generally oversees the production of the prints and signs and numbers each print individually. The involvement of the artist and the rarity of the prints ensures their collectable value.

Each copy of a limited edition print is marked with two numbers separated by a slash mark. The first number identifies the particular copy and the second indicates edition size: 42/99, for instance, identifies print number 42 of a 99-copy edition.

The making of limited edition prints is a time-consuming, exacting and collaborative effort between the artist and a print maker. The choice of paper, printing technique, the size of the edition and the consistent quality of each print in the edition are just as critical as the artist’s choice of subject matter and style. This is particularly the case for Giclée prints.

Giclée

Giclée, pronounced "jhee-clay", is a French term used to describe a specialised process in which pigmented inks are applied to canvas or paper to produce a fine art reproduction. The Giclée process uses incredibly accurate computer controlled jets to apply ink to museum quality watercolour paper, canvas or etching paper.
The Giclée print production method is expensive and time consuming but is recognised as the most accurate method of fine art reproduction.

Artist’s Proof

Artist’s proofs (abbreviated AP) are generally the first few printed copies of an edition and are reviewed by the artist to ensure that the reproductions are true to the original artwork. Sometimes the artist retains the artist’s proofs or may choose to make them publicly available.

Artist’s proofs are usually distinguished by the abbreviation AP, or EA from the French epreuce d’artist, on the lower left corner of the work. Artist's proofs are usually limited to no more than 10% of the actual print run in number and are therefore considered to be more valuable than prints in the regular edition due to their rarity.