One of the best ways to start your path to being a seasoned art collector is to start small by collecting edition works or prints. Prints and edition works are a great way to begin collecting an artist whose original work might be out of your reach, pricing wise.
I know many seasoned collectors that amassed a large print collection before jumping fully into collecting original works. Some very successful collectors started by collecting edition works that grew astronomically in value over the years.
Grouping of art prints in neutral frames (photo: Christopher Burns)
How to Collect Prints for Fun
If you have the intent of purely collecting artwork for your personal enjoyment you can look for prints that are “open edition” or “limited editions” have a high edition number (100+)
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Look for work that matches your style. You can search online or in social media for keyword like #boldcolor #contemporaryart, #lego, #losangeles, etc.
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Visit galleries and if you find work you like, ask if the artist also offers prints of their work. Often smaller sculptures will be done as editions.
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Ask your friends where they got their art work. Most people love to tell the stories of how they acquired their artwork.
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The lowest numbers in an edition are desirable as they are most collectible. Many collectors will collect a number over and over again because it has special meaning to them like a “lucky number 7”
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If trying to save money, prioritize collecting prints that are “open editions” (which means they are an unlimited run) as they are usually much more affordable than “limited edition” prints (which means they have a fixed run and will not be produced again).
How to Collect Prints as an Asset or for Resale
“Find something you love”. This is the first rule of collecting art regardless if it’s for fun or profit. That way if you never sell it you are happy to keep it forever. When art resonates with you deeply you’ll have a higher number to “make you sell” ultimately which will yield you a better return in the long-run, if and when you choose to trade it or give up a multiple.
Space Ape — DANKO, hand pulled silkscreen with glow-in-the-dark plate
(24" x 18", Edition of 25)
1. Look For Emerging Artists
Look for the work of “emerging artists”. Many artists will exhibit at art fairs, which are not like typical fairs where there are a variety of goods for sale. Art fairs are specifically targeted to collectors (both private and large institutional collectors). These fairs are typically juried (meaning the art had to be approved for entry), so someone with professional art experience has already deemed the work to be special or collectible.
2. Big Cities For Better Choices
Major metropolitan areas usually have the best art fairs, in particular Frieze Art Fair in Los Angeles and New York, Art Basel Miami, LA Art Show, and Seattle Art Fair are good bets for the U.S. market and they draw galleries from all over the world as exhibitors too. Additionally you can check out other smaller artist fairs like Spring Break Art Show in Los Angeles, Art On Paper in New York, and Designer Con in Las Vegas for emerging artists, low-brow art, objects and apparel at very approachable prices.
3. Go Low For Higher Returns
Once you identify work you like you’ll want to prioritize buying “limited edition” pieces over “open edition” and specifically pieces that have a low number less than 50 is a great place to start because it increases the rarity of the print.
4. Multiples For The Win
If you really like an artist and think of the print as both an asset and something you love and might not want to part with, consider buying 2 prints if budget allows. One for framing and displaying and one for your archive to trade for other artwork with another collector or to sell, as the work grows in value.
5. Don’t Get Burned
Make sure to ask the artist or gallerist if the print is “archival quality” meaning that the inks used to print it and the paper it’s printed on will not fade or disintegrate due to acid-based paper or inferior printing practices.
How to Frame a Print with Style
We all know when a print is framed badly, i.e. hotel and doctors offices usually are the common culprits for this kind of cookie cutter aesthetic. Typically the frame and the matting overpowers the art and it just looks bad, though it’s hard to pinpoint what makes it so bad. Usually it’s because the mat and framing take over the art and it is crammed into a strong aesthetic that doesn’t match the piece.
As an artist I frequently am told by potential collectors “I love your work but I'm not really sure what's the best way to frame it. What should it look like and where do I go to get it done?” No fear collectors, if this is you read on.
Josef Albers — Homage to the Square, Milwaukee Art Museum (photo: DANKO)
1. Choose A Neutral Frame and Mat
The frame should complement the artwork, not compete with it. I recommend using neutral frames in white, natural wood, or black. This ensures the frame will highlight the artwork without distracting from it. My go-to frame style with my own work is a white frame with white matting. I like the idea of the work not being boxed in by a dark frame the the artwork remains the focal point.
Calmer Than You — DANKO (12" x 24", Edition of 50)
2. Consider The Artwork’s Scale
The frame should also be appropriate for the artwork’s scale. If a piece is very small, you can beef up its presence by placing it in a very large format frame with a generous amount of matting to give it more gravitas. If a print is very large, no mat or very minimal matting is more appropriate to allow the large work to shine. If a print has a deckled edge it’s a good idea to use no mat, to be true to the intent of the artist and perhaps even consider “floating it” in the frame by having the framer include small inset pieces of foam core mounted to the back to give the sense of depth.
Large mats make a small work feel more significant (Photo: Laura Cleffman)
3. Use Acid-free Materials
Acid-free mats and backing boards will help to protect your artwork from damage. Regular wood pulp papers have acid from the wood that overtime can scorch and discolor paper. High quality prints are typically printed on acid-free or 100% cotton rag paper which is archival. Ask the artist or gallery if the print you intend to buy is printed with archival papers and inks like giclée, before purchasing.
Framed ‘Canned Lightning’ Series — DANKO
4. Don’t Overcrowd The Artwork
Leave ample space between the artwork and the frame. Many people make the mistake of making a mat too small. A small mat or a double or triple mat crowds the artwork and detracts from the artist’s original intended context of the artwork. A generous mat and frame will give the piece room to breathe and prevent it from looking cramped.
5. Use The Right Glass
Museum glass is the best option for framing valuable artwork. Though it can be quite costly, if the work will be near bright light or is from a highly sought after artist, you’ll be glad of the extra cost. There is a reason it is the choice of museums as it is virtually invisible (producing no glare) and provides the best protection from UV rays.
6. Hang Your Artwork In A Safe Place
Avoid hanging your artwork in direct sunlight or in areas with high humidity like a bathroom. Reserve these areas for artwork that is easily replaceable or more durable relative to the elements.
Cost-Effective Framing Options:
IKEA
IKEA offers stock frames in a variety of styles and sizes. Their frames are affordable and easy to assemble. Using them as a grouping for multiple pieces can help make small works look more expensive, by creating a mini gallery wall.
Inexpensive frames like the Ikea Rodalm frame grouped on a wall (photo: Ikea US)
Local Framing Sources
Check your local area for framing shops that offer discounts or coupons. You can also find affordable framing options at art supply stores and online retailers like Michaels who will frequently offer discounts up to 75% framing services.
Additional Tips:
Ask A Pro
If you’re not sure how to frame a particular piece of artwork, consult with a professional framer or gallerist. Gallerists often work with local professional framers they are happy to connect you with, especially after you make a purchase with them. You can also ask the artist or their representative if they have suggestions. An artist will often have a vision of how they like their work hung. That doesn’t mean you have to hang it that way, but it’s a great starting point if you’re unsure.
Get Creative
Don’t be afraid to experiment with different framing styles, play with scale in both the mat and frame and try different frame materials like unfinished wood, or brushed versus polished metal. Avoid frames that have intricate surface designs or bold colors or stains. When styles change it could make your pieces look dated quickly.
Look At Art
Be a frequent visitor to museums and galleries. Consider a membership to a local museum to familiarize yourself with trending art movements. Museums will always match a frame to the time period that the work was created. Paying attention to the styles and scale of frames, as well as grouping of artwork is a great way to find interesting ways to display your collections.
The artist DANKO viewing Takashi Murakami Flowers, An Arrow Through History at Gagosian Gallery (photo: Georgianna Allen)
About The Author
DANKO is a fine artist who splits his time between Seattle and Los Angeles. He is an oil painter who creates abstractionist pieces on wood, with sculptural elements of realism. He has partnered with brands such as Converse and Lexus and has been featured in galleries and private collections all over the world, as well as in publications such as Forbes.
His upcoming show will be at the Seattle Art Museum Gallery in conjunction with the Ai WeiWei exhibit in March 2025. You can follow him on instagram at @jimmydanko or reach him for art inquiries via his website.