A Guide to Print Editions: Understanding Limited and Special Prints

Art collectors and connoisseurs often encounter a variety of terms when exploring limited-edition prints, such as numbered prints, Artist Proofs (APs), and Printer’s Proofs (PPs). Understanding these distinctions is essential for appreciating the rarity, value, and unique qualities of print editions. This guide provides a comprehensive overview of print editions and the special proofs that often accompany them.

What Is a Print Edition?

A print edition is a series of identical prints created from a single original artwork or matrix, whether a woodblock, lithograph plate, or digital file. Each edition is produced in limited quantities, with every print assigned a unique number (e.g., 1/50). Limiting the edition enhances exclusivity and value, assuring collectors that only a specific number of prints exist.

Each print in the edition is hand-signed and numbered by the artist. The numbering typically appears as a fraction: the numerator indicates the print’s sequence in the edition, and the denominator denotes the total number produced (e.g., 12/100).

Numbered Prints

Numbered prints are the standard prints within an edition. Their numbering denotes their unique placement in the sequence, with lower numbers often being slightly more desirable in traditional printmaking due to sharper detail and closer adherence to the original matrix.

For example, a print labeled 15/100 is the fifteenth print out of a total edition of 100. While all numbered prints are consistent in quality, early impressions or subtle variations from manual processes may make some particularly prized.

Special Types of Prints

Beyond numbered prints, artists and publishers often produce special proofs outside the standard edition. These prints are typically rare, marked distinctly, and highly sought after by collectors.

1. Artist’s Proof (AP)

Artist’s Proofs are reserved for the artist’s personal use, typically constituting 10–15% of the edition. Marked as AP, these prints were historically a “bonus” for the artist and not intended for sale. Today, they are highly collectible and often command a premium due to their rarity and direct association with the artist.

Featured art: Aeon (Artist’s Proof) (2001) by Simon Lee Robson.

2. Printer’s Proof (PP)

Printer’s Proofs are courtesy prints for the printer or studio responsible for producing the edition. Labeled PP, these are not part of the numbered sequence and are similarly rare. Collectors value them for their connection to the printmaking process itself.

3. Final Proof / Bon à Tirer (BAT)

The Bon à Tirer (French for “good to print”) proof is the final proof approved by the artist before printing the edition. It serves as the benchmark for the entire edition, with only one BAT existing per edition, making it exceptionally rare and highly desirable.

4. Hors de Commerce (HC)

Hors de Commerce, meaning “not for sale,” refers to prints reserved for promotional purposes, such as gallery displays or presentation to critics and institutions. Marked HC, these prints are generally not part of the numbered edition but may occasionally appear on the market, prized for their scarcity.

Featured art: Breathing in the Mountain’s Heart (Hors de Commerce) (2001) by Simon Lee Robson.

The Value of Special Proofs

Special proofs, APs, PPs, BATs, and HC prints, are coveted for their rarity and intimate connection to the artist and printmaking process. While numbered prints confer the prestige of being part of the official edition, proofs offer collectors a unique insight into the artwork’s creation and artistic intent.

Appreciating the Nuances

Whether you are beginning a collection or expanding a seasoned one, understanding the differences between numbered prints and special proofs deepens appreciation for each piece. These distinctions affect both rarity and value while offering a glimpse into the meticulous process behind each print.

At Arte Delux, the majority of our limited-edition prints are hand-signed and numbered to ensure authenticity and exclusivity. Simon Lee Robson’s The Black Rain Engravings | 2024 original intaglio collection, unseen for over twenty years, features a curated selection of Artist’s Proofs, while The Black Rain Engravings: Part II | 2025 features both Artist’s Proofs and Hors de Commerce prints, making them exceptionally rare and desirable for collectors seeking truly distinctive works.