Topic: selling photographic prints - editions or as one-offs?

[wblati]

Hi,

whats your  advise on selling photographs with editions or as one-offs? just managed to sell my first set of prints and i dont know if i should state that they are one-offs or 1 of 2(a copy for myself)? if i do state that they are one-offs, does this mean i wont be able to sell the same A4 size C-prints again - something smaller/ bigger than A4 is still possible?

Thanks in advance.

[Heather]

If they're not printed all at the same time, it's not an edition - it's an open run. That's the gallery definition.

And honestly, some of the "editions" out there in galleries these days are in the 500 print range. I'd not worry about editions if you're just starting out. Your early work will always be more valuable if you do make it big I wouldn't say they were one-offs. It shouldn't matter if you already have a buyer. 

[wblati]

so how should i describe the prints if they are not an edition and not one-offs?

http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:PTQ_-xX44I0J:thepracticalartworld.com/2011/08/29/editioned-prints-and-photographs-how-many-what-value/+selling+photographic+prints+tips+advice+pen+edition&cd=10&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=uk

[Karl]

I've tried it both ways. When I sold a few prints to begin with I marked them, erroneously, as a limited edition. I've only sold one or two more of them since so it makes the idea a bit pointless really. Now I'm just happy to sell them and don't bother. At the stage I am at I feel that editions are pretentious and don't do me any favours. I'd rather sell a few at a reasonable price. I charge £95 framed, £65 unframed and have to pay some commission to the shop/local gallery.

There are ways of doing it according to gallery/buyer principles and etiquette but the point is this - is there a demand for a) your photos, b) a number of your photos? If so, how many do you think will satisfy the demand? And how does the demand influence the price? If you are in this position then GREAT!

If, like me, you can't demonstrate a real demand then don't bother with editions and numbering. Chances are you might sell a few and 4/50 will be all that ever happens.

[Heather]

so how should i describe the prints if they are not an edition and not one-offs?

Don't describe them as either? You can say they're unique if you want - even if you have all your printing notes, B&W photos are going to vary a little bit from session to session. But they're not a one-off to me, really, unless you're doing some destructive processing.

[mikeg]

I don't like the limited edition. I tried it a while back for some of my prints but it just seemed daft to place an artificial limit on a number of prints. Especially as there was no way I was going to sell out an edition, my images just aren't that good  It just seems a method for galleries to keep prices inflated.

Brooks Jensen on his website has some interesting articles on editions and pricing which I tend to agree with (http://www.brooksjensenarts.com/pdfarticles.htm).

Cheers

Mike

[Karl]

so how should i describe the prints if they are not an edition and not one-offs?

Simple descriptions help...Silver Gelatin Print, Giclée Print on 'insert arty paper name'

[sethasaurus]

It's an easy decision for me as fungus ate all my negs, so all my prints now are one-offs!