What is a limited edition?
A limited edition is a group of prints produced in a fixed quantity using the same printmaking technique (etching, lithography, screen printing, digital printing, etc.). Each print is individually hand-numbered, usually in pencil, using a fraction such as 12/100, indicating both its number within the edition and the total number of prints produced.
This edition numbering is one of the main criteria used to assess the value of a print. The edition is signed by the artist, and the printing process is generally based on a BAT (Bon à Tirer), or "ready-to-print" proof, which serves as the reference print against which the entire edition is produced.
Where do artist proofs fit within an edition?
Artist proofs exist outside the commercial numbering. They are not included in the official edition size offered for sale and are generally reserved for the artist, the printer or key collaborators involved in the production of the work, alongside HC (Hors Commerce) prints.
In many editions, the number of artist proofs is deliberately limited, typically representing around 10 to 15% of the total edition.
Artist proof or numbered edition: which should you choose?
From an artistic perspective, an artist proof and a numbered print belong to the same original edition. The difference lies neither in the printing technique nor in the quality or originality of the work, but rather in their status, intended use and perceived rarity.
Whether you choose a lithograph, an etching or a screen print, both numbered editions and artist proofs are produced using the same process, signed by the artist and held to the same artistic standards.
