6 reasons to start collecting limited edition prints 🖼

If you're looking to start an art collection, limited edition prints are a great place to start. Not only are they affordable, but they are also high in quality and offer accessibility to up-and-coming artists. Additionally, limited edition prints have investment potential, and by collecting them, you help build a community around the artist. In this article, we will explore six reasons why you should consider collecting limited edition prints.

1. Affordability

Compared to buying unique and original artworks, limited edition prints are easier on the bank balance. Several factors can affect the final price of a limited edition print, such as the size of the edition, the size of the print, and the printmaking medium. Limited edition prints tend to be a popular form of collecting as the authenticity allows collectors to invest in high quality, hand-signed art without the cost of buying the original.

2. Accessibility

If you're starting your collection, limited edition prints can be a great way to add value and build to it slowly. It also allows you to access highly promising artists at a fraction of the cost. There are so many different types of limited edition prints you can buy over the internet and get them delivered to your door or held in a secure storage facility.

3. Quality

In comparison to other types of artwork you will buy, limited editions are high in quality. Unlike unlimited editions, these are not mass-produced, and usually, there's only a small amount in the collection. Most of the time, limited edition prints only have between 2 and a few hundred prints in the edition.

Moreover, as they're not produced in large amounts, the artist thoroughly checks each piece's quality. Plus, a lot of limited edition prints are produced on a paper known which is acid-free which helps preserve the print for a long time.

4. Value

With limited edition prints, you have many options to choose from, including etchings, giclee, engravings, woodcuts, serigraphs, linoleum, and offsets. In particular, woodcut limited edition prints have 20 colours to choose from made from 20 different hand-carved woodblocks per colour. This is a hands-on labour process and takes time to produce a print.

You can generally discover printmaking methods like this by observing closely or asking your art dealer. Techniques like these can add to the quality of the print and can increase the value of the artwork itself.

Likewise, if you choose to have a particular piece in your collection, you can later use valuable information like this to help sell your prints and add value to your collection.

5. Investment Potential

Most of the time, limited edition prints don't decrease in price; they will either stay the same or increase. Because of this, they're often seen as a smart investment choice.

If a certain number of prints in an edition become sold out, your limited edition print might rise in price. Similarly, as the artist grows or gains their reputation, they might increase a lot in price.

6. Community

The larger the demand for the art, the more you will benefit.

When you're purchasing limited edition prints, you're also helping the artist. You're adding to the value of their work and making their collection more scarce. This also helps encourage the artist to create new artworks, raising the value of the limited edition print you've purchased.

Moreover, you're helping establish them in the art world and get them talked about more. Once the artist becomes more spoken about, it's more likely the limited edition prints you collect will increase in value.

Conclusion

In addition to the benefits of affordability, accessibility, quality, value, investment potential, and community building, collecting limited edition prints can also be a fulfilling hobby. You can choose prints that resonate with you personally or align with your interests and values. Plus, as you build your collection, you'll have the opportunity to display your prints and share your passion with others.

To start your collection, you can browse galleries or online platforms like EDIT1ONS Gallery that specialise in limited edition prints from a variety of artists. As mentioned earlier, you can choose from different printmaking techniques, sizes, and artists to find the perfect piece for your collection.