Limited edition prints: how to buy rare music art

A limited-edition print is an artwork made a set number of times. When the run ends, no more are made. Before you buy, check the edition number, the artist's signature, the print type and paper, and the seller's shipping and return terms.

What is a limited edition print?

Think of a poster and a limited edition print side by side. A poster is made in huge numbers and rarely has a number on it. A limited edition print has a cap. The artist or publisher decides how many copies will exist, then stops. That set of copies is called the edition.

An open edition is the opposite. There is no cap, so the seller can keep printing as long as people keep buying.

The UK's Tate Museum describes an edition as a series of identical prints made from the same printing surface. Today, artists and publishers usually set a number and stick to it.

Editions are not only for paper. Sculpture, photography, and video can come in editions too. The idea is the same: a set number, then no more.

How to read edition numbers and markings

Look along the bottom edge of the print. Tate says editioned prints are usually signed and numbered by the artist and often dated too. Here is what you may see:

The first number is the copy. The second is the size of the edition. So 12/25 means copy twelve out of twenty-five.

What is an artist proof?

Artist proofs are extra prints that match the edition. Printers' proofs do the same job for the print shop. Both are a normal part of how prints get made. If you see one for sale, ask what the mark means and how many exist.

Why collect limited-edition art prints?

There are a few good reasons.

• Small runs feel special:  An edition of 25 means very few homes will have your picture.

• They cost less than originals:  You get real art on your wall without the price of an original painting.

• You support the artist:  When you buy a limited edition print, more of your money can reach the people who made it, especially if you buy from the artist's own shop.

• They bring back old memories:  Your teenage bedroom wall was full of band posters. Limited edition music prints are the grown-up version, with a number on them.

One warning. No seller can know what a print will be worth later. Be careful with anyone who says they do.

When art meets music: the Blur Parklife print

Music magazines used to hire illustrators to squeeze a whole album into one picture. That work made some of the best music art around.

Here is a real example. Run Wrake drew an illustration for the N.M.E. review of Blur's third album, Parklife. The band shows up as park animals. Damon Albarn is a squirrel. The N.M.E. was mostly black and white at the time, so Run-Wrake made the piece as a layered collage using a Xerox machine.

We sell it as the Blur Parklife limited edition print. The edition is 25. It is giclée printed on thick white paper, and you can pick a framed or unframed version.

Want more? Browse the 90s N.M.E. album prints. That collection includes Prince's The Gold Experience. You can also read the story behind the N.M.E. illustrations.

A news post on our shop says the prints came in small editions of 25 each. It also admits that one print got signed upside down. Real hands make real mistakes.

Artists who sell limited edition artwork

Plenty of artists work in limited editions. Marine artist Robert Wyland sells numbered, signed giclée prints, and one resale listing for his Ancient Mariner says it is hand-signed, numbered, limited to 750 copies, and sold with a gallery certificate. That is what a clear listing looks like.

If music is your thing, look at Run Wrake. He was a BAFTA-nominated animator and illustrator. His work includes artwork for U2, The Rolling Stones, and the N.M.E. Our shop, Runwrake, is his official store and sells limited edition prints of his music-inspired illustrations, including designs for Prince and The Flaming Lips. Buying from the artist's own shop means you can check the edition details at the source.

What to check before you buy

Use this short checklist for any print, from an ocean scene to a Britpop album.

Edition size and number

Ask for the edition size and the copy number. A seller who will not say "no" should lose your sale.

Signature and certificate

Look for a hand-signed print. If the seller mentions a certificate of authenticity, ask who issued it. Tate's own limited editions are signed and numbered, which shows the standard you can expect from a good seller.

Print type and paper

There are three types you will meet most often.

• Giclée (say "zhee-clay"): a fine art inkjet print. It uses archival inks and heavy paper. It is known for color accuracy and fine detail. The word comes from a French word meaning "to spray."

• Screen print: ink is pushed through a stencil, one color at a time. This gives bold, rich color and a handmade feel. That is why it is popular for concert posters.

• Lithograph: the image is printed from a flat plate, usually stone or metal. It has a long history in fine art.

Ask which one you are buying and what paper it uses. Thick, archival paper is a good sign. Thin paper that feels like a flyer is not.

Price and resale

Look at current listings and recently sold results on resale sites. That shows what people really pay. But prices move up and down, so do not count on a print gaining value.

Shipping and returns

Read the shipping page and the sales terms before you pay. Our prints are made to order, so returns only cover faults. See our shipping and refunds page for current delivery times and details.

Framing your print

A frame protects the paper and finishes the look. Our shop offers a black frame or print only. Some sellers ship prints unframed unless they say otherwise. Pick the frame after you pick the print.

Two tips:

• Ask for UV-protective glass:  UV light fades ink and yellows paper over time.

• Ask for acid-free mounts so the paper does not stain from touching the frame.

And hang your print out of direct sun.

Where to buy limited edition prints

You have a few choices. The artist's own shop is the simplest, since you're buying directly from the source. A good example is Runwrake, the official store of Runwrake, the BAFTA-nominated animator and illustrator behind artwork for U2, The Rolling Stones, and NME. It sells limited-edition music-inspired prints, including pieces for Prince and The Flaming Lips, with prints starting around £35 and worldwide shipping. 

Frequently Asked Questions 

What's the difference between limited- and open-edition prints?

Open editions have no cap. Limited editions stop at a set number. The word "limited" in a listing does not always mean the print is truly limited, so ask for the edition size.

Why are screen prints so popular for concert posters?

See the print types above. Screen printing layers ink one color at a time, so each poster has vivid color and a tactile feel. Bands and fans like that handmade look.

Do limited-edition music prints go up in value?

Some do, but it is never guaranteed. Value depends on the artist, the band, the edition size, the condition, and how fast it sold out. Treat any gain as a bonus.

Is a signed print worth more than an unsigned one?

Usually, but only if the signature is verified. Ask for proof from the artist or publisher. An unverified signature adds little.

How can I tell if a music print is authentic?

Check for an edition number, the artist's signature or mark, and thick archival paper. Compare it with the artist's or publisher's official listing. If you are unsure, ask them directly or contact our shop about any RunWrike print.

How do I know if a certificate of authenticity is real?

A certificate is only as good as who issued it. Look for the issuer's details and a matching edition number. Then confirm it with the issuer. Fancy paper proves nothing.

Before You Buy: The Short Version 

Limited edition prints are simple once you know the basics. An edition is a set number of copies. When the run ends, no more are made. The numbers on the bottom edge tell you which copy you have and how big the edition is.

Before you pay, ask for the edition size and copy number. Check the signature and any certificate. Find out the print type (giclée, lithograph, or screen print) and the paper. Read the shipping and return rules.

Don't buy a print as a bet. Nobody can promise it will be worth more later. If it does go up, treat that as a bonus. The better test: would you be happy to look at it every day?

Music-inspired art is a fun place to start. These prints turn an album or a band into something for your wall, like the posters in your teenage bedroom, but with a numbered edition.

Ready to look? Browse the 90s N.M.E. album prints, or see the Blur Parklife print. Got a question about an edition? Contact us before you buy.