10 Types of Art Print Edition Terms
When examining a limited fine art print you should notice an edition number, something like 5/25 or V/XXV for example, normally written in the margin in pencil. However there might be other acronyms instead like ‘AP’ or ‘EA’.
In addition to knowing the type of method used to make the print it is worth knowing what these numbers and acronyms mean as they can have a direct influence on the value of the print.
When collecting limited edition prints, and it comes to considering their value, scarcity, or uniqueness, play an important factor. The lower the print edition run the higher the value, for example an edition out of 10 will be more valuable than an edition out of 300. Or a BAT should be more desirable than an A/P.
Below is a glossary of the numbers and acronyms found on fine art prints:
A/P – Artist’s Proof
When an artist produces an edition of prints an unnumbered portion is left to the artist to distribute as they wish. They are usually for the artist’s personal use but can sometimes be released onto the market as well.
This doesn’t necessarily increase the value of an A/P print but it can be argued that it has a more significant provenance in relation to the artist, and is also rarer, and thus does translate to a higher value.
BAT – Bon à tirer
Meaning ‘good to pull’ this acronym signifies that this print is the proof that has been approved for the final edition. It has satisfied the artist with its quality and signifies to the printer the standard that the ensuing edition will be held to.
There is normally only one print denoted as the BAT and as such they can be more prized than the AP or standard numbered print edition.
C/P – Colour Proof
These are test pieces that have been carried out by the artist prior to signing off a BAT. They are first trying out what colours to see what best conveys the desired expression of the piece.
Depending on the success of the colours these can be more valuable due to their uniqueness in relation to the standard edition and can often be considered more valuable.
E/A – Épreuve d’artiste
This means the same as Artists Proof but just in French.
H/C – Hors d’commerce
This translates as ‘do not sell’ and means that this print has been set aside for promotional use only. Also known as a gallery print as it is normally used by galleries or dealers to promote the artist’s work.
As they are also rarer, and may have a provenance tied to them such as a significant gallery show, they can be more coveted than standard editions.
E/V – Edition Variable or Variée
As prints are made from a matrix such as a copper plate or a woodblock, allowing multiple impressions of the same image to be made they are then marked as such according to the edition number.
Edition Variable indicates that same print has been altered in some unique way next to the other in the series, such as introducing hand-colouring to a portion.
As each E/V print is unique in its own way it can be more valuable than a standard edition of the same print but it will depend on the success of the variation.
E/V can also be represented in the following variations: Ed. Var, Var. Ed. or VE.
Proof
This is simply the term for any print that is not part of the regular edition. They do not differ from the regular edition but are not part of the regular numbering sequence.
It is essentially a prototype going forward to how the final editioned prints will look. Again, as they are more scarce than the regular edition it can be argued that they are more valuable but it will depend other factors such as who the artist is and what the market is like.
T/P – Trial Proof
A T/P, or CTP for Colour Trial Proof, are prints that are pulled before the final editioned printing stage so that the artist can check that they are satisfied with every detail before going further.
As they can be unique they can be more prized my some collectors.
P/P – Printers Proof
This is an impression that the artist gives to the printer, which is normally kept for the their records but can often be sold to offset the printing costs.
As there is often more than one person involved in the printing process there can be multiple P/P’s. As they are scarcer, and involve the ‘journey’ of the print, they can be more prized than the standard edition.
W/P – Working Proof
A Working Proof print is essentially a Trial Proof that the artist has now made the necessary changes to, as mentioned above, so that it can go can go to print.
As these changes are done by hand it gives the print a uniqueness that can make it more desirable to collectors.
I have shied away from stating that these various markings have a definitive influence on the value of all prints because it depends on various other factors such as who the artist is or what the actual print is.
Artists like William Kentridge and Andy Warhol are so highly coveted that any slight variation in their print editions are going to make collectors froth.
When to comes to many other, lesser known artists however one needs to asses the piece on its individual merits. While it is nicer to have a low editioned print or a unique one like a Working Proof it sometimes doesn’t make much of a difference to the value.
Nevertheless that contemporary piece that you buy now could benefit from being scarcer down the line should the artist rise up in the ranks so it pays to be armed with as much knowledge as possible.
Here at iValuations you’ll find experts in over 50 categories of art, antiques and collectibles that are waiting to give impartial professional, affordable and in-depth valuation reports in a timeous and easy to use manner.
