New Feature Idea: Limited (numbered) Editions

Working with a limited staff .... who, at what end would keep track of the ltd. editions, for how many artists and how many of their pictures ?

Because customer orders are printed, matted, framed, etc., by FAA and shipped by FAA, ... signed ltd. editions are not possible.

Third factor has to do with all of the tech requirements for " printable " work vs rejects and with the number of FAA membership, that alone has it's difficulties.


With every creative idea, ... challenges come with it.

Hope that helps some.


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There would probably have to be something other than a number to make it valuable unless it would really be a limited edition of a particular work. It's not really a limited edition if there is a limited edition but the artist still sells the same thing without a number on it.

Maybe if it was signed, had a gold leaf stamp and was limited to x prints of each of x sizes people might attach more value. Tom Till or Art Wolf can probably pull off limited editions but got the majority of us on FAA it is hard to envision someone spending more on a limited edition print from an unknown artist.

There some here who could pull it off but not many especially when selling 100 prints in a year on FAA probably puts you in the top one percent on FAA for sales.

Thanks for the reply! And yes, totally understand the technical limitations. Just thought I'd throw the idea out there!

"...it feels just like a strategy game, and is as addicting. You feel like you want to work as much as you can to 'level up' the stats of your photos."

Just wait for that first sale - while it doesn't qualify you for elite status like the top 1% who sell 100 prints a year nevertheless you begin to feel you have some seriously formidable skills. ;)

I sell my limited editions through my website only because Its more personal, professional, and all signed. I sell all my unsigned smaller prints on sites like this at more affordable prices. I also like to direct the customers from here, to my website instead of from my website to here. Just my strategy

The most important part of a limited edition isn't your numbering and signature...it is you proofing the print first to make sure it meets your standards.
You can buy the limited quantity from faa or any printer and do that yourself and sell direct to your clients.
There is no other way.

Option A: Invest in a series. Print them up, sign and number them, pay someone to store them and fulfill when orders come in.

Option B: Print, sign, number when order comes in and ship yourself.

Option A makes little sense when you have no idea if they will move.

Louis-Philippe, you'll come to understand that FAA caters more to people looking for decorative art rather than an investment. There are other sites that aim at a higher target market of art buyer.

It's not really a limited edition if there is a limited edition but the artist still sells the same thing without a number on it.

That is not true.

There are many different editions possible that can be made from an original.

A Limited Edition run can be different based on size, printing material etc... For example, I could have made 200 lithographic copies of an original as 16x20 and another 200 copies printed at 8x10. Once numbered and signed, both sets would be considered Limited Edition runs of the original.

An Open Edition print similar to what is sold on FAA, is normally printed on lesser quality material.

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EDIT -

Then you can have 1st strike, 2nd strike, re-strike (sometimes done after artist passes away)......

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Anything I would sell through a POD would be considered Open Edition.

At this time locally in my own market I sell Open Edition lab prints, but I am looking into Limited Edition for a couple of my best sellers locally.

Giclee (inkjet) can be used to create Limited Edition prints as well and a lot of photographers are using this. However it is normally done on very high quality art paper. (heavy paper). Colour management has gotten so good with high end print shops that you no longer have to print the entire run at one time to guarantee consistency.

This is the method I am considering for my Limited Edition offerings locally.

The only way to make a true limited edition would to be to stop printing after the edition size limit and destroy the file to ensure nobody else gets a hold of it and then makes a print. Just like breaking the mold. Another POD site I am on does give the option to offer limited edition prints. I'm not sure how it works though. I would assume it would be something like I described above. I'll look into it.

Mark, that is not true either.

I have seen many famous artists offer limited edition of a certain painting and then you will also see that same painting as other prints but lesser quality material, not signed and not numbered.

destroying the plate or file is an option for the artist and this may set a higher value of the LE prints, but it is not mandatory in order for the print run to be called LE.

Like I mentioned above, there can be 1st strike (plates), 2nd strike and re-strike. All can be called limited editions of that striking and some could never been done if the plates were destroyed after the initial striking.

Very good thread Louis-Philippe I was pondering this same question about being able to offer signed limited edition prints. I guess Marlene and Edward have the best answers though.
Welcome to FAA by the way, it is a very very good place to be.

Hey Mark - did you ever find more info on the POD site that sells limited editions? And would you be willing to share the name?
TY!
And welcome, Louise-Philippe! The people here are a great group to be with.