Original fine art prints, much like fine local California wines, are often only produced in small batches. They are made by hand and etched one at a time by the artist. The most sought-after art prints are created with high-quality materials. Their exceptional quality distinguishes them from reproductions and makes them hard, if not impossible, to replicate.
This is why original prints retain their value for decades. A reproduction is simply a printed copy of an original art piece. Since the materials used tend to be of low quality, the pieces fade and yellow over time. Thus, many reproductions have little to no value to collectors.
Limited edition prints, on the other hand, are unique, uncommon versions of prints created for collectors. Limited editions usually feature two numbers separated by a slash. The first number represents the number of the print, while the second represents the total number of prints that were created. The smaller the second number, the more valuable the print will be.
Contrary to popular belief, the first number does not determine value, since the order in which the pieces are printed does not matter. Each print is hand stamped using a plate; as the plate wears down, it creates variations in the ink. That's why no two limited edition prints are alike. Once the artist stamps the predetermined amount of prints, the plate is destroyed.