Digital BW, The Print

As I'm beginning to sell more of my images as "art prints" (hate that 
term, but it does communicate), I need to decide how to handle 
editions.  I'd like to do this with sensibility, integrity, and 
business savvy -- trusting that these will not be in conflict.

My understanding is that I'd establish separate numbering for each 
print size, and not necessarily for all sizes.  Thus, I might, for example say:
	17 x 22		Edition of 25
	11 x 17		Edition of 50
	8 1/2 x 11	Open (no edition)

But I've a number of questions about this:

* On what basis do I set the number (is it called "edition 
size")?  In theory, an edition of 25 should give more value than an 
edition of 100.  But what are the limits?  I'd expect that an edition 
of 5 would just limit me, and bring little reward.  How to place myself?

* Are there norms about which print sizes are sold in editions, and 
which are not?

* Can/should I also mark some artist's "proofs"?  This name makes 
more sense for monoprints or etchings.

* What about rejects?  I've sold some flawed prints or given them 
away (with concern that these not get into circulation and diminish 
my name or reputation).

* Some of my best images have already been sold -- one to a 
museum.  Can I start editions on these images, even though a few 
unnumbered prints are in circulation?

* What do I do about prints that will hang in my home or 
studio?  Should the edition include ALL of these?

* Right now I sign the mats, and not the images.  And I like the mat 
the cover all the border around the print.  Should I also sign and 
number the print, so that somebody who removes the mat from its frame 
or sleeve, and opens it, will find an indelible marking on the 
physical print itself?

* One of my image is being printed and displayed in three ways:  As a 
horizontal, as a vertical, and as a vertical stretched to be about 
20% wider than taken.  (Amazing how those fish gain and lose 
weight!  Should these be in separate editions?  (I don't think so.)

* What about images that are printed and displayed either as a 2:3 
format, or square?

* What about some images that are printed differently enough to feel 
like distinct images -- but that are recognizably different 
renderings of the same shot?

* Some of my images are printed both as black and white and as 
color.  Can I treat these as completely different?

* In a few cases I've printed from two almost (but not quite) 
identical frames.  Should I call these the same?

- - -

In all of the above, I'm not wanting to overly complicate my life, or 
confuse potential buyers.  But I do want to understand clearly what 
my representation "3/25" really means, and know that I'm faithfully 
following through with that.

By the way, my assumption is that I'll have a record keeping system 
for this outside of my photo database (now Portfolio, but will 
probably be iViewMediaPro) -- which saddens me.  I'd like to have one 
database, in which I caption a raw image, track the various 
conversions, further track the different files made for printing, 
track the editions produced, and, finally, keep contact information 
for who has each print.  I am, after all, my own curator.

Thanks for any help.

Arthur Fink


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