Art collecting comes with its own language. Some terms are technical, some are historical and some are used so often that their meaning becomes less clear. For new collectors, this language can make the art world feel more distant than it needs to be.
This glossary is designed to make collecting contemporary art easier to understand. It focuses on the terms collectors most often encounter when buying limited edition prints, fine art prints and contemporary artworks online.
Use it as a reference when reading an artwork listing, comparing editions or learning how to build a collection with more confidence.
Artist
The person who creates the artwork. In contemporary art, the artist’s wider practice matters. A single print, photograph or object is usually best understood within the artist’s broader visual language, ideas and body of work.
Artist Proof
An artist proof, often marked AP, is a print produced outside the main numbered edition. Historically, these proofs allowed the artist to review the print before approving the final edition. Today, artist proofs may be retained by the artist, publisher or archive, and sometimes sold to collectors.
Artist proofs are often produced in smaller numbers, but they are not automatically more valuable. The artist, image, condition, documentation and edition structure all matter. Read more in Artist Proof vs Edition Print.
Archival Paper
Archival paper is paper made for long-term stability when handled and stored correctly. In fine art printing, archival papers are often acid-free and may be made from cotton fibres. They are chosen to help preserve the appearance and quality of the print over time.
Authentication
Authentication is the process of confirming that an artwork is what it claims to be. It may involve signatures, certificates, gallery records, publisher records, provenance, expert review or artist confirmation.
Baryta Paper
Baryta paper is a fine art paper often associated with photographic printing. It usually has a smooth surface with strong tonal depth, crisp detail and deep blacks. It can be especially suitable for photography and high-contrast images. For comparison, see Cotton Rag Paper vs Baryta Paper.
Certificate of Authenticity
A Certificate of Authenticity, often shortened to COA, is a document that supports the identity and authenticity of an artwork. For limited edition prints, it should usually include the artist, title, dimensions, medium, edition size, edition number and issuing authority.
A certificate is part of the artwork’s documentation and can support provenance, resale, insurance and gifting. Read our full guide to Certificates of Authenticity.
Collector
A collector is someone who acquires and keeps artworks with intention. A collection does not need to be large or expensive to be meaningful. It can begin with one carefully chosen work.
Condition
Condition describes the physical state of an artwork. For works on paper, this can include creases, dents, fading, stains, tears, handling marks, paper waviness, framing issues or damage from humidity and sunlight.
Contemporary Art
Contemporary art generally refers to art made by artists living or working in the present period. It can include painting, drawing, photography, printmaking, sculpture, installation, digital work and other forms.
Cotton Rag Paper
Cotton rag paper is a fine art paper often made from cotton fibres. It is valued for its archival qualities, matte surface, tactile feel and ability to hold colour with depth and softness. It is often used for museum quality fine art prints.
Edition
An edition is a group of artworks produced in a defined quantity. In print collecting, each work in the edition is usually numbered and documented. Editions allow more than one collector to own a version of the same artwork while keeping the total number controlled.
Edition Number
An edition number identifies an individual work within an edition. A print marked 24/100 is number 24 from an edition of 100. The first number is the individual print number. The second number is the total size of the edition.
Edition Size
Edition size refers to the total number of works produced in an edition. Smaller editions are generally more scarce, but scarcity alone does not make a work important. The artist, image, quality, condition and documentation all matter.
Fine Art Print
A fine art print is a print produced with artistic, material and archival considerations in mind. It is different from a casual poster or decorative reproduction. A fine art print should have clear information about paper, printing method, dimensions and edition details.
Framing
Framing protects and presents an artwork. For works on paper, good framing should use suitable materials and avoid damaging the print. Mounts, spacers, backing boards and glazing all affect how the work is preserved and seen. Read How to Frame Fine Art Prints.
Giclée
Giclée is a fine art printing method often associated with high-resolution inkjet printing using pigment inks. When produced with archival paper and professional colour management, giclée prints can be suitable for museum quality limited editions. Learn more in Giclée Printing Explained.
Glazing
Glazing is the glass or acrylic used in a frame. It protects the artwork from dust and handling. UV-filtering glazing can help reduce light exposure, although no glazing makes direct sunlight safe for works on paper.
Image Size
Image size refers to the printed image area of a print. It can be different from the paper size, especially when a print has a border. Collectors should check whether listing dimensions refer to image size, paper size or framed size.
Limited Edition
A limited edition is produced in a fixed quantity. Once the edition is complete, no more works should be produced in that same edition. Limited editions are common in contemporary printmaking, photography and art publishing. Read What Is a Limited Edition Artwork?.
Limited Edition Print
A limited edition print is a print produced in a defined number, often signed, numbered or accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity. It offers collectors a balance of access, scarcity, quality and documentation.
Medium
Medium describes what an artwork is made from or how it was produced. Examples include oil on canvas, acrylic on paper, giclée print, pigment ink print, screenprint, lithograph or photograph.
Museum Quality Print
A museum quality print is a fine art print produced with long-term preservation and professional presentation in mind. It usually involves archival paper, pigment inks, careful colour management and clear documentation. For more detail, read Museum Quality Prints Explained.
Numbered Print
A numbered print has an edition number written on the work or recorded in its documentation. Numbering helps identify the print’s place within the edition. A numbered print may or may not also be signed.
Open Edition
An open edition does not have a fixed total quantity. The work can continue to be produced as long as the artist or publisher chooses. Open editions can be accessible and beautiful, but they do not carry the same scarcity structure as limited editions. Read Open Edition vs Limited Edition Prints.
Paper Size
Paper size refers to the full sheet of paper, including any border around the image. It is important for framing and display. Paper size may be larger than image size.
Pigment Inks
Pigment inks are professional inks commonly used in fine art printing because of their colour stability and depth. They are often used for archival giclée prints and museum quality editions.
Primary Market
The primary market is the first sale of an artwork. This may happen through the artist, gallery, publisher or platform releasing the work. Buying from the primary market often gives collectors the clearest documentation from the beginning.
Printer’s Proof
A printer’s proof is a proof produced outside the main edition, often retained by the printer or studio involved in production. It should be clearly documented and distinguished from the main edition and artist proofs.
Provenance
Provenance is the documented history of an artwork. It can include certificates, invoices, gallery records, publisher records, shipping records, exhibition history and previous ownership. Provenance supports trust and helps preserve the artwork’s story over time. Read Why Provenance Matters in Art Collecting.
Publisher
A publisher produces and releases editions in collaboration with artists. In contemporary art, a publisher may manage scanning, printing, edition documentation, certificates, sales and fulfilment.
Secondary Market
The secondary market refers to resale after the first purchase. This can happen through auctions, galleries, dealers, platforms or private sales. Documentation and condition become especially important in the secondary market.
Signed Print
A signed print has been signed by the artist, usually in the margin or on the reverse. Some editions are signed on the Certificate of Authenticity rather than the print itself. See Signed vs Numbered Prints.
Time-Limited Edition
A time-limited edition is available for a fixed period rather than a fixed quantity. The final edition size is determined by the number of works sold during that window. The rules should be clear before the sale begins.
UV Protection
UV protection refers to glazing or materials designed to reduce ultraviolet light exposure. It can help protect works on paper from fading and damage, but it does not make direct sunlight safe.
Unframed Print
An unframed print is sold without a frame. Many fine art prints are sold this way so collectors can choose their own framing. Unframed prints should be stored carefully until framed. Read How to Store Unframed Art Prints.
Why a glossary matters
Clear language makes collecting less intimidating. When collectors understand the terms, they can read listings more carefully, ask better questions and make decisions with more confidence.
At Notre Arte, collector education is part of the experience. Contemporary art should feel open, but never vague. The more precise the language, the easier it becomes to focus on the artwork itself.
FAQ
What art terms should new collectors know first?
New collectors should understand edition, limited edition, artist proof, Certificate of Authenticity, provenance, medium, condition, paper size and printing method.
What does edition mean in art?
An edition is a group of artworks produced in a defined quantity. In print collecting, each work is usually numbered and documented.
What does COA mean in art?
COA means Certificate of Authenticity. It is a document that supports the identity and authenticity of an artwork.
What does provenance mean?
Provenance is the documented history of an artwork, including ownership, certificates, invoices and other records.
What does AP mean on a print?
AP means artist proof. It usually refers to a print produced outside the main numbered edition.
What is the difference between paper size and image size?
Paper size is the full sheet. Image size is the printed artwork area. A print may have a border, so paper size is often larger.
Is a glossary useful for buying art online?
Yes. Understanding the terms helps collectors read listings, compare artworks and avoid confusion before buying.
