There are many important factors to consider when buying limited edition prints. Whether you are looking for fine art prints to add to your art collection or to decorate your office, hotel, or home, you should have some first-hand information to help you find the limited editions worth buying.

The following tips will come in handy when buying limited edition art prints for sale.

1. Check If You Are Buying First Edition, Second Edition, or Posthumous Edition

Artists limit their edition size so that each piece of artwork in the edition will retain its value for a long time. Most artists rarely produce second or third editions, but they rightly label each piece to match its edition when they do. Therefore, you will want to know what edition your artwork for sale is. Typically, first edition artwork commands more value in the market because it reflects an artist’s original ideas. That’s why most artists will restrict the total number of artworks produced in a limited edition to preserve each piece’s authenticity and originality. A posthumous edition is produced after an artist’s death, and artworks in this category are less valuable because they may be further from the artist’s original idea. Additionally, artists and printers may destroy the materials used to make these artworks, such as printing plates and photographic negatives. This is what makes every piece of art in a limited edition so valuable, as it is impossible to add to the existing size of an edition.

2. The Smaller the Size of an Edition, The More Valuable it Is

Limited edition prints that smaller in size will command a higher value than those produced in larger quantities. For instance, whimsical art prints by Félix Angel from an edition size of 20 will be more valuable than the pieces from an edition of 100. The smaller the size of a limited edition, the more quality each piece will possess. This is because artists and printers will have more time to perfect sophisticated printing techniques such as serigraphy, drypoint, and aquatint.

The scarcity of the artworks in a limited edition will make each piece more valuable in the market. Conversely, a large-sized edition will have plenty of supply in the market, which may reduce the artwork’s value. If you collect limited edition fine art prints as a form of investment, you want to select art pieces from a smaller edition size.

3. Each Piece in a Limited Edition Should Be Identical

Every artwork in a limited edition should be indistinguishable. From the size to the printing technique to the materials used, every piece should look the same. The only distinction should be the label on each piece. Artists will label their artwork based on the total edition size. For instance, in an edition with a total size of 30, artworks may be labeled 1/30, 2/30, 29/30, 30/30, and so forth.

If you are a collector looking to consolidate all artworks in a limited edition, the labeling system will help you identify all of the pieces. Artists and printers go the extra mile to ensure that all artworks in a limited edition are identical to protect and maintain the authenticity of their work. If one piece is different from the rest, then it’s not included in the edition. If you are uncertain about the labeling or the quality of the artworks in a limited edition, you may consider consulting a certified fine art appraiser before making a purchase.

You should consider these factors when buying limited edition prints for sale. Limited edition prints are a valuable addition to your art collection because they increase in value as they age. For instance, if you bought limited edition art from a lesser-known artist who then becomes popular, the artwork will increase in value. There’s enough artwork to go by in the U.S., given that 113,000 nonprofit arts organizations employ 2.2 million artists. To find the best quality of limited edition prints, you should purchase from reputable art galleries near you.