What Is an Open Edition Print, and When Is It the Right Choice?

An open edition print is a reproduction of an image that can be printed in unlimited numbers, with no edition size, no individual number and usually no signature. It is the most affordable way to enjoy an artist's work on your wall. Open editions are a sensible choice for gifts, first purchases and rooms where you simply want the image, but they should always be priced as open editions, not as collectable limited editions.

Open edition versus limited edition

The difference comes down to one thing: whether the number of prints is fixed.

• Limited edition: a set number of prints, each numbered (for example 45/250). Jack Vettriano hand-signed his limited editions in pencil during his lifetime, and posthumous estate editions are embossed with the estate stamp.

• Open edition: no fixed limit, no number and no signature. The publisher can keep printing for as long as there is demand.

Because the supply of an open edition is not capped, it is not usually bought with collecting or future value in mind. You buy it because you like the picture. For a fuller comparison, see our guide to limited editions, open editions and artist's proofs.

Why open editions matter for Vettriano

Jack Vettriano's work reached an enormous public audience through prints. The Singing Butler became the UK's best-selling art print, and The Guardian reported that he earned around £500,000 a year from print royalties.

That popularity is part of his story. Many people first came to know his paintings through a print in a friend's hallway or a card on a mantelpiece, long before they thought about collecting.

When an open edition is the right choice

As a gift

An open edition print or a set of cards is a thoughtful present for someone who loves Vettriano's world of dance, romance and seaside light. It shows you know their taste without the cost of a numbered edition.

On a tight budget

If you want the image on your wall now and a limited edition is out of reach, an open edition lets you enjoy it today. Many collectors start this way and buy a limited edition later.

For rooms with tricky conditions

Kitchens, bathrooms and sunny hallways are hard on artwork. An open edition is a lower-risk choice for spaces where humidity or direct light might affect a print over time.

To try a style before committing

Living with an image for a while is a good test. If you still love it a year later, you will feel more confident spending on a limited edition.

Open edition options in our shop

At the time of writing, our open edition and gift range includes:

• Summer Days Triptych: open edition giclée prints, £125.

• Greeting cards: £2.50 each, including Mad Dogs, Dance Me to the End of Love and Anniversary Waltz.

• Set of 4 greeting cards: £10.

Books are another affordable way into his work, with many of his best-known paintings reproduced in one place. Our books page lists the titles we stock, from Fallen Angels to Studio Life. And if you are not sure which print someone would choose, a gift card lets them decide.

How to avoid paying limited edition prices for an open edition

This is the most important part of buying any print. Open editions are perfectly good products, but they should never be sold as something they are not. Here is how to protect yourself.

• Look for a number. A limited edition should be numbered in pencil, such as 45/250. No number usually means no limit.

• Check for a signature or estate stamp. Lifetime limited editions were hand-signed in pencil. Posthumous estate editions carry an embossed estate stamp. A printed signature that is part of the image is not the same thing.

• Ask for the edition size. A genuine limited edition has a stated size, often with proofs, for example 250 + 25 AP. If a seller cannot tell you, be cautious.

• Ask for a certificate of authenticity. It should record the edition details. Every print we sell comes with one.

• Be wary of vague wording. Phrases like "limited availability" or "rare print" are not the same as a numbered limited edition.

• Compare prices sensibly. A very low price for a supposed signed limited edition is a warning sign. A very high price for an unnumbered print is another.

Our article on the Jack Vettriano certificate of authenticity explains what to expect from proper paperwork.

When to step up to a limited edition

If you find yourself wanting something you can keep, display proudly and perhaps pass on, a limited edition is the natural next step. Entry points in our range include Waltzers and In Thoughts Of You, both at £300 at the time of writing, while many editions sit between £465 and £1,000. We also accept Klarna and credit finance (subject to status), which some buyers use to spread the cost.

Frequently asked questions

Is an open edition print worth anything?

Open editions are generally valued for enjoyment rather than resale. Because they can be reprinted, they rarely hold value the way limited editions can.

Are open edition prints signed?

Usually not. If a signature appears, it is normally printed as part of the image rather than signed by hand.

Is a giclée always a limited edition?

No. Giclée describes the printing method, not the edition type. The Summer Days Triptych, for example, is an open edition giclée.

Can I frame an open edition print?

Yes. A good frame and mount will make any print look its best.

Choosing what suits you

Whether you want a card, a gift or your first framed print, start with the Summer Days Triptych or our cards, and when you are ready for something collectable, browse our limited edition prints.