Buying from Imprint

The Imprint Online Edition brings together works from galleries, publishers, institutions and independent artists across the Fair, creating a digital extension of Imprint that can be explored wherever you are.

Buying art can sometimes feel more complicated than it needs to be. Whether you are considering your first work or adding to an established collection, buying from Imprint is designed to be straightforward and transparent. This guide explains what to look for, how editions work and what happens when you find a work you would like to make your own.

Finding a Work

There is no single way to find art you want to live with - and you don't need to begin with a particular artist, style or idea in mind.

Browse the full Online Edition to see everything available, explore our Curated Trails to follow different pathways through the collection, or discover the personal selections made by our invited Collector Highlights. You can also search and filter the collection by artist, exhibitor, price and medium.

If something catches your attention, take a closer look. Each artwork page provides information about the work, including its artist, title, medium, dimensions, edition, framing and price.

Start with your response to the work. You don't need to know immediately why you like something - curiosity is often a very good place to begin.

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Understanding Editions

One of the things that makes print such an exciting area to collect is the way artists use processes of editioning to create original works that can exist in more than one impression.

An original print is not simply a reproduction of another artwork. It is conceived by the artist as an artwork in its own right, whether made through screenprint, etching, lithography, woodcut, digital processes or one of the many expanded approaches to print used by artists today.

Many prints are produced in a limited edition. If a work is described as 3/30, for example, it means that particular impression belongs to an edition of 30.

You may also encounter:

AP - Artist's Proof
An impression produced alongside the numbered edition and traditionally retained by the artist. Artist's proofs are usually marked AP rather than with an edition number.

Unique / Monotype
A work for which only one impression exists.

Monoprint
A print made using a repeatable process but containing elements that make each impression unique.

Edition sizes vary enormously. A smaller edition isn't automatically better or more valuable than a larger one - the significance lies in how the artist has chosen to make the work.

Every artwork listing within the Online Edition will clearly state its edition information where applicable.

Who is Presenting the Work?

Works within the Online Edition come from across Imprint's exhibitor programme.

Works presented by participating galleries, publishers and institutions form part of their presentations at the Fair. You can explore the exhibitor behind a work, discover the other artists they are presenting and learn more about their programme through the Imprint gallery directory.

Discovery presents independent artists selected for Imprint through our annual open call. Their works are presented directly through the Discovery programme, creating another route into some of the distinctive practices shaping contemporary print today.

Each artwork page will clearly identify who is presenting the work.

Prices & Payment

The Online Edition brings together work across a broad range of price points, from artists at the beginning of their careers to editions by internationally recognised names. Prices are displayed clearly alongside each available work so you can browse at a level that feels comfortable to you.

Before purchasing, check the individual artwork listing for what is included in the price, including whether the work is framed or unframed. Any additional charges applicable to your purchase, including delivery where relevant, will be made clear as part of the purchasing process.

There is no right amount to spend on art - start with the work that interests you.

How to Buy

Once you have found a work you would like to collect, the process is simple.

1. Take a closer look
Check the artwork page for its dimensions, medium, edition information, framing, price and availability.

2. Purchase your work
When you're ready, complete your purchase securely through the Imprint Online Edition.

3. Receive confirmation
We'll confirm your purchase and provide information about collection or delivery and what happens next.

4. Receive your artwork
If your work is being exhibited at the physical Fair, it may remain on display until Imprint closes. It can then be collected or prepared for delivery.

If you have a question before purchasing, you don't need to work it out alone. Get in touch and we can provide further information or connect you with the relevant gallery or artist.

Collection & Delivery

Many of the works available through the Online Edition will also be exhibited physically at Imprint Art Fair.

Where this is the case, the work will usually remain on display until the Fair closes before being released for collection or delivery. This allows every visitor to experience the complete exhibition throughout the Fair while ensuring sold works are handled appropriately afterwards.

Collection and delivery arrangements may vary depending on the artwork and whether it is presented by a gallery, publisher, institution or through Discovery. Relevant options and any associated costs will be made clear during the purchasing process, and you will receive further information following your purchase.

If you have particular delivery requirements, please contact us before purchasing and we'll do our best to help.

Framing Your Work

Prints and works on paper may be offered either framed or unframed, and the individual artwork listing will make this clear.

A frame does much more than simply make a work ready to hang. The choice of frame, mount and glazing can change how a work is experienced, while appropriate conservation materials help protect works on paper from damage over time.

If you purchase an unframed work, we recommend using a professional framer familiar with works on paper and conservation-quality materials.

If you're unsure where to begin, ask us. We can offer guidance and help point you in the right direction.

See It in Person

One of the advantages of the Online Edition is that digital discovery and the physical Fair can work together.

Many works available online can also be seen at Imprint at RHS Lawrence Hall, Westminster. Experiencing a work in person can reveal things a screen cannot - the texture of the paper, depth of ink, quality of a surface, subtlety of colour and the true scale of the image.

If you're considering a particular work while visiting the Fair, our team can help you locate it and, where possible, introduce you to the gallery or artist presenting it.

Equally, you don't need to attend the Fair to collect. The Online Edition is designed to make the work accessible wherever you are.

Plan Your Visit

Returns & Cancellations

Purchases made through the Online Edition are subject to our online sales terms, including applicable rights relating to cancellations and returns.

Because arrangements can differ according to the type of work and circumstances of a purchase, we recommend reviewing the relevant terms before completing your order.

View Returns & Cancellations

Have a Question?

Art should invite questions, and buying it should too.

If you'd like to know more about a particular work, artist, technique or edition - or simply want some guidance before making a decision - speak to us.

The Imprint team can provide further information, help you locate a work at the Fair or connect you with the gallery or artist presenting it. There is no such thing as the wrong question.

Ask About a Work

New to Collecting?

If you'd like to explore collecting more widely, our Guide to Collecting goes further - from discovering your own taste and understanding different printmaking processes to thinking about budgets, framing and how a collection develops over time.

There is no single way to build a collection. The best place to start is with the work that makes you want to look again.

Explore the Guide to Collecting