Why I Offer Limited Edition Prints (and Keep the Editions So Small)

If you’ve ever browsed through fine art photography, you might have come across the terms open edition and limited edition prints. While they might sound like technical jargon, they speak volumes about how an artist approaches their work, values their collectors, and shapes the lifecycle of their creations.

As an artist who creates floral still life photography from hand-sculpted paper flowers, I choose to offer only limited edition prints and I keep those editions very small. My first series, Paper Flower Art, was limited to 35 editions, and just 5 editions for my more recent work, Irising Rising and Cloudy Skies. It’s an intentional decision rooted in how I work, how I want people to experience my art, and what I value in the artist-collector relationship.

Let’s explore what this all means, and why I’ve chosen this path.

What’s the Difference Between Open and Limited Edition Prints?

Before diving into the “why,” it’s helpful to understand the “what.”

Open edition prints can be printed in unlimited quantities. There’s no cap on how many times the image can be reproduced, and no record is kept of who owns which print. These are often used for mass-produced artwork, posters, or decorative prints, like the ones you see on art marketplaces or home decor stores. Open editions can be more accessible in price and are often used for widespread distribution.

Limited edition prints, on the other hand, are finite. The artist decides on a specific number of prints (like five, ten, or twenty) and once they’re sold, that’s it. No more prints of that image will be made in that size, or perhaps, in that format. Each print is usually individually numbered (like 1/5, 2/5, etc.), often signed, and sometimes accompanied by a certificate of authenticity.

Collectors often gravitate toward limited edition prints because they offer exclusivity, value, and a tangible connection to the artist’s original vision. And for artists like me, they’re a meaningful way to keep the work personal and focused.

Why I Don’t Offer Open Editions

There’s nothing inherently wrong with open editions, and for many artists and art buyers, they make a lot of sense. But for my practice, they don’t align with how I want to engage with my art or with you, the viewer.

Here’s why:

1. Exclusivity Matters.
   When you collect one of my limited edition prints, you're not just buying a piece of art; you’re becoming part of a small circle of people who hold a rare version of that work. I want each piece to feel special, like a coveted treasure. Once an edition sells out, it’s gone. I won’t print more of it in that size (or paper type etc.). This rarity adds value, not just financially, but emotionally. It means something to know you own something not everyone can.
   
   
2. My Work Evolves Quickly.
   My creative process is seasonal, intuitive, and deeply connected to time. I move through bodies of work quickly. I create a piece, photograph it, print it and then I’m already dreaming of what’s next. I don’t want to be tied to a large edition that takes years to sell out. Small editions let me complete a chapter and begin the next one without lingering too long in one place.
   
   
3. I Want to Stay Focused on Creating, Not Managing Inventory.
   Managing large print editions means keeping detailed records for years of who bought which number, when, where it shipped, and whether any artist proofs remain. I’d rather spend that time in the studio making art. Small editions simplify the process and let me stay centred in what I love doing most.
   
   

Why My Editions Are So Small

You might notice that many artists offer limited editions of 25, 50, or even 100 prints. At the moment, my editions are typically much smaller.

This choice is deeply personal.

I’m still stepping into the fine art print world and smaller editions are easier and faster to sell out. I can’t tell you how empowering it feels as an artist to sell out an edition. It’s so motivating and moves me towards my next creation.

Smaller editions offer more intimacy. They reflect how handmade, how tactile, and how fleeting my original creation was. My paper sculptures are delicate and ephemeral, created from paper, paint, glue, wire. The photograph preserves a moment, but that sculpture may no longer exist. Keeping the print edition small honors that impermanence.

It also ensures that my collectors are truly getting something rare. With only five, ten, fifteen, of each print available, owning one becomes less about wall décor and more about connection. It’s that quiet collaboration between artist and collector that appeals to me. 

More Reasons I Love Limited Edition Prints

Beyond my workflow and artistic rhythm, there are other reasons I believe limited edition prints are a better choice for me, and for you the collector:

• They build trust. You know exactly what you’re getting. You’re not purchasing something mass-produced. You’re investing in a piece that won’t be endlessly reproduced and devalued over time.
  
  

• They hold and often increase in value. Because limited editions are finite, they often hold their value better than open editions. As an artist’s career grows, early limited editions can become more sought after.
  
  

• They create a stronger bond. When someone collects one of my limited edition prints, it’s not just a transaction but a moment of shared vision. You saw something in my work that resonated with you. That matters to me deeply.
  
  

Finally - I don’t want to be in the business of infinite reproduction. I want to create moments and stories and share them with just a few others who are moved by them. Limited edition prints allow me to do that.

So if you ever see a piece of mine that speaks to you, and you notice it’s available in a very small edition, know that it’s intentional. It’s a reflection of how I move through my work, how I hope my art lives in the world, and how much I value those who choose to bring it into their homes.

Be sure to check out my new works: Iris Rising and Cloudy Skies.