For artistsIf you sell prints of your work, a certificate of authenticity (COA) is one of the simplest ways to show buyers you take the edition seriously. It documents what the print is, who made it and how many exist. Collectors expect one for limited editions, and it makes resale, insurance and gallery sales smoother.
Here's what a good COA includes, how edition numbering works, and how to sign and keep records without overcomplicating it.
01
What is a certificate of authenticity?
A COA is a document, usually a single printed page or card, that accompanies an artwork and confirms its details and origin. For prints, it states the medium, the edition, and the size, and it carries the artist's signature.
A COA doesn't make a print valuable on its own. Anyone can print a certificate. Its value comes from being accurate, specific, signed by the artist, and backed up by the artist's own records.
02
What a COA for an art print should include
A thorough certificate covers the following.
The essentials
- Artist's name
- Title of the work
- Edition number and edition size, for example 12/50
- Medium, described precisely, such as "archival pigment print" or "giclée print with archival pigment inks"
- Paper, including brand and type, such as "100% cotton rag, acid-free"
- Image and sheet dimensions, in inches and/or centimeters
- Year the original was made and/or the year the print was produced
- Artist's signature, ideally in ink, and the date signed
Strongly recommended
- Printer or studio that produced the print
- Whether the print itself is signed, and where (front margin or back)
- A small image of the artwork so the certificate can't easily be paired with a different piece
- A unique certificate number that matches your records
- Statement on the edition, for example, "This edition is limited to 50 prints plus 5 artist's proofs. No further prints will be made at this size and on this paper."
- Artist's contact details or website
Optional
- Care instructions, such as keeping the print out of direct sunlight
- A short description of the work
- An embossed seal, hologram or other tamper-evident feature
03
Example COA layout
Here's a simple structure you can adapt:
| Field | Example |
|---|---|
| Artist | Mara Quinn (example) |
| Title | Morning, Newtown Creek |
| Year of original | 2025 |
| Medium | Archival pigment print (giclée) |
| Paper | 100% cotton rag fine art paper, acid-free |
| Image size | 16 × 20 in |
| Edition | 7 / 50 |
| Additional proofs | 5 AP |
| Printed by | IMPRESO, Ridgewood, NY |
| Certificate no. | MQ-2025-014-07 |
| Signed | Front, lower right, pencil |
| Artist signature and date | (signature), March 2026 |
04
Limited vs open editions
Open edition
There's no cap on the number of prints. You can keep printing as long as there's demand. Open editions are usually priced lower and often aren't numbered, though they can still come with a COA confirming the medium and that the print is authorized by the artist.
Limited edition
A fixed number of prints is made at a specific size and on a specific paper. Each print is numbered, and once the edition is complete, the artist commits not to print more of that version. Scarcity is the point, which is why limited editions generally sell for more.
Common edition sizes for fine art prints range from very small (5 or 10) to a few hundred. Smaller editions are typically priced higher. Pick a number you can realistically sell and stick to.
Can you make different editions of the same image?
Many artists release the same image in more than one edition, for example a limited edition of 25 at 24×36 and a separate edition of 100 at 11×14. If you do this, state it clearly on each certificate so buyers know the total number of prints that exist. Being upfront protects your reputation. Some US states, including New York and California, have laws governing disclosures in the sale of limited-edition prints and multiples, so if you sell at higher price points, check what applies to you.
05
Numbering conventions
| Mark | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 12/50 | Print number 12 in an edition of 50 |
| AP or A/P | Artist's proof. Prints reserved for the artist, outside the main edition. Often numbered too, like AP 2/5 |
| PP | Printer's proof. Given to the printer or studio that produced the edition |
| HC | Hors commerce, "not for trade." Prints set aside for exhibitions or samples |
| BAT | Bon à tirer, "good to pull." The final approved proof that the edition is matched against |
A few common practices:
- Artist's proofs are usually kept to around 10% of the edition. An edition of 50 might have 5 APs.
- The print number doesn't imply quality. In digital printmaking every print is the same, so 1/50 isn't better than 50/50, although some buyers still prefer low numbers.
- Count every proof. If you sell APs, they're part of the total in existence. Disclose them on the certificate.
06
How to sign and number prints
The traditional layout for works on paper with a margin is:
- Lower left: edition number, e.g. 12/50
- Lower center: title (optional)
- Lower right: artist's signature, often with the year
Tips for doing it well:
- Use a soft graphite pencil on fine art papers. It's the long-standing convention, it's archival, and it doesn't bleed. Some artists use an archival pigment pen on photo papers where pencil doesn't take well.
- Leave a margin. Order prints with a white border so there's room to sign without writing on the image.
- Sign on the back if there's no margin, and say so on the certificate.
- Practice on a scrap of the same paper before signing the edition.
- Sign and number all prints in one session if you can, so they look consistent.
07
Why buyers care
- Confidence. A specific, signed certificate tells the buyer the print is authorized and the edition is real.
- Resale. Secondary buyers and galleries look for documentation.
- Insurance and appraisal. A COA helps establish what the work is.
- Professionalism. It signals that you're running your editions carefully, which supports your pricing.
08
Keeping records
The certificate is only half the system. Keep your own edition log for every release, a spreadsheet is fine, with:
- Title, size, paper and edition size
- Each print number and its certificate number
- Date printed and date signed
- Buyer name and date sold (where you have it)
- APs, PPs and any damaged prints that were destroyed
Keep a copy of every certificate you issue. If a print ever resurfaces, you'll be able to confirm whether it's genuine.
09
Edition certificates and numbering at IMPRESO
We print fine art giclées for artists on a 24-inch Epson printer with UltraChrome HDR pigment inks on Epson Signature Worthy papers, including 100% cotton rag Hot Press and Cold Press papers, and check every print by hand in our Ridgewood, Queens studio. Our edition certificate and numbering add-on is $35 per print. For editions, color match to original ($150) and an 8×10 proof print ($30, credited to your order) help make sure every print matches what you approved.
Running an edition over time is easier too: there's no minimum order, so you can print as you sell, and identical reprints are 20% off. Volume pricing and all add-ons are listed on our pricing page. When you're ready, build your print and add edition certificates to your order.
Start your edition
Choose your size and paper, upload your file, and use our free file check to confirm resolution and cropping before you order. Standard turnaround is 3 to 5 business days, with free pickup in Ridgewood or shipping. Order your edition prints and give your collectors the documentation they're looking for.
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