Frequently Asked Questions

What does signed and numbered, (s/n), mean?

At Benson Fine Art all of our collectable limited and open edition prints are produced using only the finest museum quality acid free paper with colorfast inks.

Each print in a run is individually signed by the artist and given a number specific to that print. For instance, a print numbered 27 / 9500 would mean that it is print #27 out of 9500 total prints.

What is the difference between a limited edition and an open edition?

When a print is produced as a limited edition there are a set number of prints created in that edition. Printing plates are then destroyed and no additional prints are produced from those plates. After the publisher sells the entire print run the edition is considered sold out. That print may then only be available through the secondary print market.

An open edition is not limited. A publisher may continue to produce this print.

This attention to quality insures that your fine art print will be a true heirloom to be enjoyed for generations to come.

What is meant by "Artist Proof" or A/P?

In the early days of printing the plates used to apply inks to the paper would wear with each print produced. As the print process continued the plates would loose quality and sharpness and so the first prints off the press were of higher quality than the last. These first prints off the press would then be called "artist proofs."

With todays printing technology there is absolutely no difference between the first print and the last print off the press. An "artist proof" is exactly the same as the regular edition. Today this term is just a hold over from an old printing tradition.

Each aspect of producing every limited edition and open edition print is closely supervised by the artist to insure it's quality and integrity to the original oil painting.

Artist proofs are usually no more than 10% of a print run and are numbered separately from the rest of the edition. Some collectors value these more than the rest of the edition because there are theoretically less of these. At "Benson Fine Art" we do produce artist proof editions since this is the only type of print some collectors are interested in.

Our canvas editions are produced to exacting standards using the highest quality wrap-around artist grade canvas.

Are Artist Proof prints worth more than regular edition prints?

Some collectors value these more than the rest of the edition because there are theoretically less of these. Publishers generally charge more for these since they are often the only prints remaining when the rest of the edition has sold out.

Our limited editions come with a certificate of authenticity.

What is the secondary market?

A network of art galleries and print dealers. They may have access to sold out prints from either a customer reselling a print or from their existing inventory.

All Benson Fine Art prints are completely guaranteed. You have a full 90 DAYS to examine your fine art print.

How should I store my print?

The best way to care for a print is to have it professionally framed and keep it out of direct sunlight. If you are not going to frame your print right away it should be stored in an acid free paper folder. Never store prints in cardboard.

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