Limited Edition Art Prints
“One publisher I was with sold tens of thousands of prints of one of my images. If that image had been limited to just 1,000 prints, how many people would have missed out? And if more than 1,000 people wanted it, why should I make it so they can’t have it?”
– Crista Forest
Browsing EmptyEasel.com recently, I discovered an intriguing article written by one of Imagekind’s member artists awhile back that I found particularly interesting. In her article, Why Sell Limited Edition Prints? Art Should be for Everyone! Crista Forest asks, “why do limited edition prints even exist?” Her opinions are very insightful and worth reading through.
Image: Surprise by Crista Forest
http://csforest.imagekind.com
One of the most compelling reasons Crista Forest shares for why she doesn’t want her art published as limited editions is for reasons similar to what we here at Imagekind believe deeply; the democratization of art and that art should be available for everyone.
I have seen many fantastic artists on both sides of this topic and I would love to know what you think. Do you think that “printing open editions or posters will cheapen your art, or reduce your respectability as an artist in the art world”? Or do you find yourself coming to similar conclusions as Crista Forest does and want to “keep [your] images affordable and available for as long as people want to buy them”?
Read the entire article and feel free to add your thoughts below.
I think limited editions are fabulous. Since these limited editions are also signed by the artist, they become an authentic collectable that can be aimed at a higher-end market interested in purchasing an investment. But I also think that unlimited and unsigned prints are great. These prints don’t cheapen the “originals” in any way, they just appeal to a different market segment.
I work with six other fine art photographers through our photoblog, and we all agreed that we would offer both types of prints to our customers. None of us feel that the unsigned prints “cheapen” the signed works. I can buy a poster of an Ansel Adams photo — does that make his signed prints any less valuable? Certainly not.
Well – i also do not see a reason for Limited Editions. In fact, one could argue that in the case of paintings, at least, the more prints you sell the more valuable the original becomes. And you would still be having your art affordable for many people.
Great insight!
Thanks Brian. The Photoblog looks great. I hope everything is going well.
Carole, that is very interesting idea. So the more prints, the higher the original. Making your art available for more people is a great idea. Thanks for sharing!
I basically agree with Brian. Limited and unlimited editions will appeal to different markets and for new artists a market for unlimited editions might not exist right away, anyway.
Yours Elandria
Thanks Elandria,
I think you’re right, they both seem to serve a particular purpose depending on various circumstances. Gauging your art to your market sector is a great idea. Finding a niche for your art is a great place to start.
Very nice looking site too Elandria, I like your use of Youtube. Let us know how it all goes!
Nate