[OliverG]

I am planning to offer limited edition giclee prints of my paintings. As far as I am aware you can print more than one limited edition, as long as there is a variation. For example I could offer a limited edition of 100 A4 prints of a painting, as well as a limited edition of 100 A3 prints. Traditionally (i.e. with lithographic prints) the whole edition would be printed in one go. Therefore you could print 100 A4 prints and then afterwards you could print 100 A3 prints. The set of prints printed 2nd would be a second edition with 2nd ed written below each print. However, with giclee prints you can print on demand i.e. you may offer a limited edition of 100, but you only print them as you sell them. So, which size is the 2nd edition? If the first print that I sell (and therefore the first that I print) is A4, does that make the A4 edition the first edition and the A3 edition the 2nd edition? Or does this rule not apply to prints printed "on demand"?

Also, if 1st and 2nd editions do apply - is there a price difference? Should I charge less for the 2nd edition?

Difficult questions, I know, as giclee/digital prints are only recently being accepted a legit Fine Art prints, but I would appreciate any suggestions.

Cheers, Oliver

[eyewoo]

You're plowing virgin ground... good luck...

My sense is that limited editions with giclee prints are like an ocean of sweet stuff decending on a world tired of sugar. There may be some lines that bubble to the top as worthy art, but the rest will be similar to bubble gum collectors' cards... 'course some of those cards are worth somthing... so, press ahead...

It is so easy for anyone to put out a "limited edition" with today's technology... but, I gotta say, that is the incredible evolving culture, worldwide. I have no doubt that there will be great works of art produced on some unknown's equipment in a house, anywhere, planet Earth. It's already happened. so, press ahead, press ahead...

As far as the rules are concerned... make them up as you go... drive the evolution...
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[sedgemonkey]

This is a really interesting topic because, as eyewoo mentioned, technology is making limited edition prints much more accessible to the average artist. Your cost savings of actually doing a large run of prints as opposed to printing on demand are becoming less and less.

I would imagine the demand for your art will determine how to price your editions. It would make sense that your first run of prints would go for more than your second because collecting anything (art, toys, collector cards) is about being the first to see the value in something.

Good luck!
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