Guild revises print policy

THE FINE ART TRADE GUILD'S policy for limited edition prints was revised at the 2006 spring meeting of the Court of the Guild.

Several amendments were agreed unanimously that reflect current concerns, practices and new technology. The guidelines are as follows:

® The Guild strongly recommends that all prints are made to Fine Art Trade Guild Standards. This provides consumers with a premium product that has the best chance of maintaining quality and holding value.

® Guild publishers are free to print to any standard but must not use the Guild logo with any product unless it is printed to Guild Print standards. The Fine Art Trade Guild Print Registration Scheme is not obligatory, but provides historical record when used, and valuable continuity with the highly respected Print Approvals, registered since the mid-nineteenth century.

® The authenticity certificate for any Limited Edition print associated with a Guild Member must be comprehensive, providing full disclosure to the consumer. It must declare the entire edition, worldwide, including artist’s proofs and other variations, regardless of whether the publication is being produced to Guild standards or not. It must make clear if there is to be or has been any other use of the image, other than for publicity purposes. The authenticity certificate should accompany the print.

® The Guild recommends that the term 'limited edition' means that no other print has been, is being, or will ever be made from the whole, or any part of the original work or image. The edition needs no longer be produced as a continuous run. Exceptions are that limited editions can be reproduced in books and on marketing materials as ethical, where full disclosure documentation is available with the print.

® Similar original works constitute different originals and can be the basis for further print editions, although all concerned should be aware of the likely negative impact on consumer confidence of this practice. It is not recommended.

® It is no longer practical to insist that all matrices be destroyed on completion of the print run and the Guild accepts this, but responsibility must be taken by those declaring a limited edition print to be compliant with Guild Standards to ensure that its integrity will be sustained throughout the period the image has copyright.

Ms. Christrose Sumner
Managing Director
Fine Art Trade Guild