What Is an Artist's Proof? A Jack Vettriano Collector's Guide

An artist's proof, usually marked "A/P" or "AP", is one of a small extra group of prints made alongside a limited edition and kept outside the main numbered run. With Jack Vettriano editions, the proofs are typically about 10% of the edition size, signed like the rest, and marked AP rather than given a number within the main run. Because there are so few of them, collectors often value them more highly than a standard numbered print.

Where artist's proofs come from

The tradition goes back to the days when printmaking was slow, hands-on work. An artist would pull trial impressions to check colour, tone and registration before the full edition was printed, and those approved sheets were often kept by the artist. Over time, "artist's proof" came to mean a set allocation printed to the same standard as the edition but held apart from it.

In modern publishing, an artist's proof is not a rough test sheet. It comes from the same run, on the same paper, with the same inks, as the numbered prints. What makes it different is its status and its scarcity, not its quality.

How a Vettriano artist's proof is marked

A standard limited edition print is numbered in pencil as a fraction, for example 45/250. The first figure is that print's number and the second is the size of the main edition. During his lifetime, Jack Vettriano hand-signed these prints in pencil.

An artist's proof replaces the main edition number with "AP" or "A/P". Some are simply marked AP, while others carry their own small fraction, such as AP 1/10, showing their place within the proof group. Either way, the proofs sit outside the main count.

You will usually see an edition described in two parts:

• Exit Eden: 175 + 20 AP

• Night Calls: 100 + 10 AP

• Narcissistic Bathers: 125 + 15 AP

• The Blue Gown: 125 + 15 AP

So Exit Eden has 175 numbered prints plus 20 artist's proofs, making 195 in total. Knowing how to read this is the first step to understanding what you are buying. Our guide to limited editions, open editions and artist's proofs covers the wider picture.

Why collectors often pay more for an A/P

There is nothing magic about an artist's proof, but there are sound reasons collectors seek them out.

Scarcity

If an edition has 100 numbered prints and 10 proofs, there are ten times fewer A/Ps in circulation. Once an edition sells out from the publisher, any further examples can only be found second-hand, and proofs come up far less often than numbered prints.

Association with the artist

Because proofs were traditionally the artist's own allocation, many collectors feel they sit a little closer to the artist. That is a matter of sentiment rather than fact, but sentiment plays a real part in what people are willing to pay.

None of this guarantees a higher value in future. Prices on the secondary market reflect demand and scarcity at the time, and the popularity of the image usually matters more than whether it is a proof. Our article on what Jack Vettriano prints are worth explains the main factors.

An example from our stock: Night Calls AP 1/10

Night Calls shows the difference clearly. The edition is 100 + 10 AP. At the time of writing, a standard numbered Night Calls print is listed at £560, while the Night Calls Artist Proof 1/10 is listed at £4,000.

That gap reflects how rarely a proof from a small edition becomes available. With only ten proofs in existence, the chance to own one does not come round often.

Artist's proofs after Jack Vettriano's death

Jack Vettriano died in March 2025. During his lifetime, proofs were hand-signed in the same way as numbered prints. Most posthumous editions released by his estate are embossed with the official estate stamp instead of a signature.

There is one notable exception. Narcissistic Bathers, released in September 2026, is one of a handful of previously unreleased editions he hand-signed before his death, and it includes 15 artist's proofs alongside 125 numbered prints. For collectors who value a genuine signature, this makes those proofs especially interesting.

How to check an artist's proof before you buy

Whether you are buying from us or elsewhere, a few simple checks will help.

• Look at the marking. It should read AP or A/P in pencil, usually in the lower margin, rather than a standard edition number.

• Check the edition details. The published edition should include proofs. If an edition was never issued with A/Ps, a print claiming to be one needs serious questions.

• Ask for the certificate of authenticity. It should describe the print as an artist's proof and match the details on the sheet.

• Examine the signature or stamp. Lifetime prints should be hand-signed in pencil. Estate editions carry an embossed stamp.

• Buy from a trusted source. An established stockist, gallery or auction house gives you a clear record of where the print came from.

Every print we sell comes with a certificate of authenticity. Our guide to the Jack Vettriano certificate of authenticity explains what it should include.

Frequently asked questions

Is an artist's proof better quality than a numbered print?

No. It is printed in the same run, on the same paper, with the same inks. The difference lies in its status and scarcity, not in the print itself.

How many artist's proofs are there in a Vettriano edition?

Usually about 10% of the main edition. For example, Night Calls is 100 + 10 AP and Exit Eden is 175 + 20 AP.

Are artist's proofs a good investment?

They can be more sought after because of their rarity, but no print is guaranteed to rise in value. Buy one because you love the image and treat any future value as a bonus.

Does an artist's proof come with a certificate?

Yes. Every print we sell, including artist's proofs, comes with a certificate of authenticity.

Finding an artist's proof

If you are looking for something a little rarer than a standard numbered print, browse our limited edition prints and look for editions listed with AP details, or read our Jack Vettriano prints buying guide first. Proofs come and go, so if you have a particular image in mind, get in touch and we will let you know what is available.