The number one thing I notice in a home is what’s on their walls. Whether it’s wallpaper, art or photographs, I’m seeing how a home owner designs their walls and shares who they are with what they display. As someone coming into their home it’s rare that I would be able to tell you which art are prints and which art originals but that doesn’t mean that there aren’t certain pros and cons to you as the buyer.
What to look for in Art Prints
Art prints are reproductions of an original piece. This means that the original was scanned or photographed and then reprinted onto paper or canvas. For artwork that isn’t made in a traditional material–print making, digital art, etc.– prints might be the only option for this art style.
I personally own mostly prints from artist because they are more affordable. Depending on the artist you can spend anywhere from $25-$500 for an art print whereas originals usually start closer to the $300-500 range and go up exponentially from there. The price comes down to a few key components that make it rare, high-quality, or both.
Limited Edition Prints
Limited edition prints mean that there are a decided number of prints that will be made and then they will never make that print again. These are often shown on the print itself with a number that dictates what print number it is out of the total number created (i.e. 5/60– the 5th print of a total of 60 prints made). The benefit of a limited edition print is that it does have a higher value if you decide to sell the print later on down the road. Because there are only a handful of these prints in the world, they’re rare and that makes them valuable. For this reason, limited edition prints are usually more expensive.
Print Materials
When it comes to art prints there are two words you’ll see a lot–Acid free and giclee prints. These two words only matter if you are hoping to pass this art down to the next generation. Any kind of print will most likely live through your lifetime as long as it’s framed in glass so that light, dust, and water can’t damage it. On the other hand, if you hope to have these pieces for multiple generations, or are looking to buy art as an investment, then these words are very important.
Acid free paper is an alkaline product made with modern technology. The benefit of archival acid-free paper is that it won’t yellow over time. It’s said to be able to last for 1000 years. With a high end print investment, this paper is important to keep the value of the work.
Giclee prints is a fancy way of saying it was printed with an inkjet printer. Inkjet printers apply ink to the surface of a paper while a laser printer uses toner which seeps under the surface. Inkjet printing is also said to make prints last multiple generations vs for your lifetime only. However, I’ve also heard from artist who have made laster printer prints 30-years ago and haven’t had them stored in glass, that they look brand new. Which means while in theory a Giclee print sounds fancy, it doesn't have a lot of extra benefits. If you're a collector or love to pay attention to details, you may notice the difference. Modern Magic does not create Giclee prints but all my prints are checked to be the highest quality so that you can trust you are investing in something of quality.
Popularity of the Artist
Whether you’re buying an original or a print, the popularity of an artist will be a huge factor of what the painting is worth. A well known artist can get away with pricing their artwork higher because they’ve built up an audience of collectors they know they can sell to. If you are just starting to build your art collection, purchasing from a highly popular artist might not be the place to start. Instead, you can find other artists locally or through social media that connect with you and offer art at a more affordable rate. At the same time, buying less expensive art means that there is no investment for the future of those pieces unless the up and coming artist you found hits it big!
Benefit of Originals
Original art will always be the most valuable when it comes to art work for two reasons–investment and soul.
Original will outlive any print reproduction made from it. Because of the materials used to make it, they are often the highest quality works. With that being said, finding out a little more about the materials used to create the piece will have an effect on it’s lifespan. Professional grade materials, acid-free papers, and any sealers used for the works will all have an effect on how long this original will last without needing any restoration. Because they can last they are considered an investment and an increase in value over time especially as the artist becomes more well known. Art investments do get tricky because they are solely dependent on what the market and other collectors are wanting to buy at any given time.
While the investment piece can be a good way for our rational mind to decide to buy a piece it's not the reason I love originals. An original pice of work has an energy to it, a vibrance, an extra layer of texture that prints just can't reproduce. They add a deeper level of soul to your space and help you connect with them too. There is something truly magical about standing in front of a piece that takes your breath away and letting it absorb you. A print can still do this, but the original will always have the most power.
Should You Buy Prints or Originals
Let’s go back to my greatest life lesson–there is no should. Whether you buy prints or originals is a completely personal decision. By and large, a print, whether limited edition or not, will be cheaper than an original. If you’re on a budget and not ready to make huge investments in your art, then this is where you should start. You can also find some really affordable prints that allow you to tell your story at home without breaking the bank. Check out the Modern Magic print shop where prints start at $75.
On the other hand, if you’re looking to invest in art and want something that will grow in value, you’ll want an original or at the very least, a limited edition print. This is where the value is in your art.
Lastly the type of art will make a bit of a difference in the pricing too. Artwork made with watercolor or oil paints are usually more expensive than artwork made with graphite or acrylic, because these materials are often more expensive. The size will obviously make a difference too when it comes to prints or originals. Many artist price their work on square inches and have a formula to calculate different sizes (at the very least they do this with prints, but many do it with originals too). The more square inches a piece is, the higher the pricing point will be.
Which ever you decide for your home, make sure you find art that connects with you personally and helps you tell a story that’s all your own. It's fun to say something is limited edition or an original but if it doesn't connect with you on a deeper level, it doesn't mean anything. The trick to investing in art? If you're still thinking about a piece, it needs to be in your home. It's that simple.