A Guide to Art Prints: Open Edition, Limited Edition, and Originals

Understanding the different print options when purchasing art can be very daunting. The art world is full of acronyms and industry terms that can be a bit confusing if you’re not immersed in it day after day. Whether you are a casual art buyer or you’re looking to start growing a valuable art collection, you’ll want a firm understanding of the types of prints available and their general value. 

What types of prints are there and which are more valuable?

Generally, there are three types of prints to choose from when purchasing art: open edition, limited edition, and original. These speak mostly to the number of reproductions available to purchase:

What is an open edition print? An open edition print is a print that can be reproduced an unlimited number of times. Open edition prints tend to be the least valuable.

What is a limited edition print? A limited edition print is a print that is reproduced a fixed number of times. More often than not, limited edition runs are under 300 prints with the sweet spot seeming to be about 100 prints. These prints will be numbered, signed by the artist(s), and will sometimes include a letter of authenticity. Because of the fixed reproduction, these pieces tend to be more valuable than open edition prints.

What is an original? An original is the original, foundational piece created by an artist. There is only one original and, thus, these are considered to be the most valuable.

Which type of print is more valuable? Art is valued by three characteristics: quality, notoriety, and rarity. The higher the quality, the more popular the artists, and the more rare the piece is, the more valuable your piece may be considered.