overarrow.gif FAQ's

  • What is an artist proof?
  • What is the difference between a limited edition print and an open-ended print?
  • Why are the prints on this website more expensive than the prints I could purchase at Cabela's or BassPro?
  • Are these prints a financial investment?
  • How can I determine the value of a piece of artwork I have acquired?
  • What is the primary market?
  • What is the secondary market?
  • Satisfaction guarantee.
  • The images seem awfully dark/light on the monitor.
  • How accurate are the online matting and framing colors?
  • Do the unframed prints come shipped flat or in a tube?
  • Shipping and handling?



  • What is an artist proof?  

    Dubbed the collector's edition: "Artist's proofs are a special subset of the regular limited edition.  They usually sell for 10-30% more than the regular edition.  Artist's proofs began back when limited editions were all hand-pulled from a one-man litho press.  The artist's proofs were the first prints pulled off a fresh "stone" (the plate which was drawn or etched by the artist to create the prints).  The stone wore down as the number of prints was increased, so that the APs were the sharpest and most colorful of the lot.  Thus, they sold for more, being a better product.

    These days, in the world of modern offset lithography, all the prints in an edition are nearly identical. Artist's proofs maintain their collectability and value because :  a) They are a small subset of the edition, and b) they usually come directly from the artist.  In these days of mass marketing, getting something directly or even indirectly from the artist is rare.  Publishers usually turn over the artists proofs to the artist for his or her own use, and retain all the other prints in the edition.

  • How rare? it varies.  Traditionally, artist's proofs number 10% or less of the total edition, so if there is an edition of 500, usually there will be only 50 artist's proofs.  In other countries, it may be more or less.  In Russia, for example, the artists' proofs may run 30% of the edition.

    Artist's proofs are signed "A/P" or "Artist's Proof" and may or may not be numbered with the serial number of that portion of the edition.

    Artist's proofs are generally considered a status symbol in the world of art collecting. And their resale value is proportionally higher than the numbered editions.  (Artist Proof as defined on http://www.novaspace.com)  Back to top

  • What is the difference between a limited edition print and an open-ended print?  

    As the name implies, a limited edition print is limited to the number of prints available, and each print is hand signed and numbered by the artist.  The edition size is always included in the numbering of limited edition prints.  For example: 74/500 designates a print as number 74 out of an edition of 500.  Due to the limited nature of these prints, they may have investment value.  An open-ended print is an artsy name for a poster. There is an unlimited number of prints available in an open-ended edition, and it is not generally hand signed by the artist.          Back to top

  • Why are the prints on this website more expensive than the prints I could purchase at Cabela's or BassPro?  

    Most of the difference in value is due to the fact that the prints offered on this website are artist proofs (collector's edition), which are usually valued higher than the regular edition. In addition, the framing that we offer is custom-you choose the frame and the mats-and is more decorative in nature with the V-groove, wider mats with a textured appearance (i.e. leather, suede, marbling), and wider frame moldings which are solid hard wood.      Back to top

  • Are these prints a financial investment?  

    To purchase a     limited edition print can be an investment.  Like any other investment, it depends on how the market chooses to value the artwork.  Generally, as in most any other product, the fewer there are, the more valuable they are.  Thus, the artist proof edition (collector's edition) is more valuable than the regular edition, and an open-ended edition holds really no investment value as there is an unlimited supply of them.  Back to top

  • How can I determine the value of a piece of artwork I have acquired?  

    If the print you have acquired is still available on the primary market, then the value of your print is whatever the price of that print is, plus the cost of any framing, if it has been framed.  If your print is "sold out," and is no longer available on the primary market, then your print is worth whatever somebody else is willing to pay for it.  There is no magic formula for determining the value of a print on the secondary market.  Generally a good place to start is to determine what the primary value of the print was, and go up from there.      Back to top

  • What is the primary market?  

    The primary market is similar to the initial offering of a stock.  There are a set number (limited edition) of prints created, and they are all sold at a set price.  Prints are available on the primary market until the edition is "sold out."      Back to top

  • What is the secondary market?  

    Once a limited edition print is "sold out" on the primary market it is only available on the secondary market.  This means finding someone who already owns the print, and purchasing it from them at an agreed upon price.  Or, if you own the print, selling it to a buyer at an agreed upon price.  Generally the price in the secondary market is higher than the price of the print in the primary market.  Again, this price is determined strictly by what other people are willing to pay for the print.  There is no magic formula for determining the value of a print on the secondary market.      Back to top

  • Satisfaction guarantee.  

    When purchasing unframed prints, your satisfaction is guaranteed.  If you are not happy with the product you receive, simply return it, and we will gladly refund you the price of the print(s).  Due to the custom nature of the framing, there are no returns or refunds on framed prints.          Back to top

  • The images seem awfully dark/light on the monitor.  

    For better image quality on this site try adjusting the contrast and brightness on your monitor.  In addition to contrast and brightness, colors are going to appear slightly different from monitor to monitor just as they differ from television set to television set.      Back to top

  • How accurate are the online matting and framing colors?  

    We have been working hard on improving the quality of the images we have on our site.  We are increasing the size but as a result we have to watermark the images.  With faster internet connections our quality and size is able to increase.  You will notice a larger frame to image aspect ratio.  We have done this to emphasize the frame and mat.  Colors are going to appear slightly different from monitor to monitor just as they differ from television set to television set.       Back to top

  • Do the unframed prints come shipped flat or in a tube?  

    As these are not posters, but limited edition prints, we take your investment seriously, and choose shipping materials that will best maintain the value of your investment.  We nearly always ship our prints flat.  We have a few prints that are to large for our mailers and therefore we will have to roll them.  To roll them to ship in a tube would risk creasing them, should this happen we will replace the print.  Our prints are also shipped in an acid-free envelope or in an acid free plastic.  This will help preserve them until you are able to frame them.      Back to top

  • Shipping and handling? (shipping page)

    • Unframed Prints:  We ship via the United States Post Office Priority Mail. For retail orders S&H is $18 per crate for unframed items. Please allow 5-7 business days for unframed items, and 30 days for framed items. Charges may change without notice.  It does not matter if you order 1 or 100 prints, the cost will be the same, so go hog wild!!!!!

    • Giftware:  Will ship from our warehouse in Michigan, shipping costs will be determined by weight.

    • Framed Prints:  We ship via FedEx.  S&H on framed items is determined by weight and shipping zone, but averages around $35 for a single framed print.  Shipping costs increase to account for additional weight for each additional print shipped-up to three (3) prints per crate. Please allow 4-6 weeks for shipping.  Charges may change without notice.

    • Wholesale Orders:  The information on this web site is specific to retail orders only.  For S&H quotes on wholesale orders, please contact us directly at (800)756-4275.  You should also visit our retailer section for further information.   Back to top
Categories