Wiki Editions & Variants Artist Proofs

Artist Proofs

Artist Proofs, commonly abbreviated AP, are copies traditionally reserved for the artist outside the primary numbered edition.

What Does AP Mean?

AP stands for Artist Proof. Historically, artist proofs were copies retained by the artist separately from the main edition.

Modern AP Editions

Modern releases frequently number AP editions separately from the main run. The exact structure can vary between artists and releases, so it is worth confirming edition details for any specific piece.

AP vs. Other Proof Types

An Artist Proof shouldn't be confused with a Printer's Proof (PP), which is reserved for or associated with the printer rather than the artist. Both are variants of the primary edition rather than the edition itself.