What Is a Limited Edition Print? A Plain-English Guide for Vettriano Collectors

A limited edition print is one of a fixed number of copies of an image, produced once and never reprinted in that edition. Each print is usually numbered, for example 45/250, and for Jack Vettriano's lifetime editions each was hand-signed in pencil. The limit on numbers is what separates a limited edition from an open edition poster, and it is a large part of why collectors value them.

The basic idea

When a publisher releases a limited edition, it decides in advance how many prints will be made. Once that number is reached, the edition is complete. No more prints of that edition are produced, however popular the image becomes.

That promise is the heart of the matter. A collector buying print 45 of 250 knows that only 249 others exist in that numbered run, plus any proofs declared alongside it. Compare that with an open edition, which can be printed for as long as there is demand.

Our guide to limited editions, open editions and artist's proofs sets the three side by side if you want a quick comparison.

How numbering works

The number is written in pencil, usually in the lower margin, as a fraction.

• The first figure is that print's number within the edition.

• The second figure is the total size of the main edition.

So 45/250 means print number 45 in an edition of 250. You will often see editions described with proofs too, such as 250 + 25 AP. That means 250 numbered prints plus 25 artist's proofs, which are marked AP rather than numbered within the main run.

Some editions also include studio proofs, marked S/P. Young Hearts, a posthumous estate edition, was released as 100 plus 10 studio proofs.

Signatures and estate stamps

During his lifetime, Jack Vettriano hand-signed his limited edition prints in pencil. Signing in pencil is the long-established convention in printmaking.

Jack Vettriano died in March 2025. Posthumous editions released by his estate are numbered and embossed with the official stamp of the Estate of Jack Vettriano instead of a signature. There is also a small group of previously unreleased editions that he hand-signed before his death. Narcissistic Bathers, released in September 2026 as 125 plus 15 artist's proofs, is one of these.

Edition sizes: from 50 to 495

Vettriano editions vary a great deal in size. Here are some examples from our current stock:

• The Letter: 50 + 5 AP

• Dancer For Money: 50 + 5

• Bluebird at Bonneville: 75 + 7 AP

• Night Calls: 100 + 10 AP

• Exit Eden: 175 + 20 AP

• Days of Wine and Roses: 250 + 25 AP

• Waltzers: 350 + 35 AP

• Beautiful Dreamer: 495 + 50 AP

A smaller edition means fewer prints in circulation, which can make examples harder to find later. But size alone does not decide value. The popularity of the image, its condition and whether the edition has sold out all play a part.

Printing methods

Most Vettriano limited editions are made by one of two methods.

Giclée

Giclée prints are made with archival pigment inks, laid down with great precision. The method reproduces fine detail and subtle tones well, which suits the painterly surfaces of Vettriano's work. Mad Dogs, The Letter and Dancer For Money are all giclée editions. The Letter and Dancer For Money are printed at the same size as the original paintings.

Silkscreen

Silkscreen, or screen printing, builds an image layer by layer, with each colour pushed through its own screen. It often gives richer, denser colour. Several sold-out Vettriano silkscreens are sought after. Silkscreen editions in our stock include Cocktails & Broken Hearts, Bird On The Wire and The Missing Man II.

Paper

The paper matters as much as the ink. Vettriano editions are printed on high-quality papers, including:

• Etching paper, a high-quality fine art paper used for editions such as Exit Eden and Narcissistic Bathers. Young Hearts is printed on museum etching paper.

• Hahnemühle mould-made paper, a respected German fine art paper used for editions such as Beautiful Dreamer and In Thoughts Of You.

Good paper and archival inks help a print last for decades when it is framed and displayed with care. Our guide on how to frame a limited edition print covers glazing, mounts and placement.

The certificate of authenticity

A certificate of authenticity records the key details of a print: title, edition, number and medium. It is an important part of the paperwork that travels with a print over its life. Every print we sell comes with one.

Keep it safe with your receipt. If you ever sell the print, or simply want to pass it on, that record matters. Our article on the Jack Vettriano certificate of authenticity explains what to look for.

What happens when an edition sells out

Once every print in an edition has been sold by the publisher, new examples are no longer available at the original price. From then on, prints can only be bought second-hand through stockists, galleries, dealers and auctions. Prices at that point reflect demand and scarcity, which is why some rare prints are listed as "price on application".

Frequently asked questions

Does a lower number mean a more valuable print?

Not usually. Most collectors care far more about the image, its condition and its paperwork than about its number within the edition.

Will a limited edition ever be reprinted?

The numbered edition itself will not be extended. That fixed limit is what makes it a limited edition.

Are posthumous prints signed?

Most are embossed with the estate stamp instead of a signature. A small number of editions, such as Narcissistic Bathers, were hand-signed before his death.

What size are Vettriano limited editions?

Editions in our stock range from 50 prints, such as The Letter, to 495, as with Beautiful Dreamer, plus proofs.

Start your collection

If you are ready to look, browse our full range of limited edition prints, or begin with an edition such as Exit Eden, where you can use our View On Your Wall tool. For more help choosing, our Jack Vettriano prints buying guide is a good next step.