Most people start by looking at prints in museums, galleries, print workshops, and art fairs. Many institutions have specialized collections of fine prints in a range of periods and specialties. Very quickly, you will begin to discover artists, periods and styles that appeal to you. In addition, many museums offer memberships focused on prints or works on paper which offer opportunities to learn directly from the museum’s print curator and other specialists in the field. Since IFPDA Members represent the highest caliber of works from all historical periods, regular perusal of this website can introduce you to artists whose works resonate with you in some unique way. Search by artist, dealer, medium, time period and price to get started, you can also learn more about printmaking and our dealers through videos on our Conversations page. Contact Members directly about works or artists in which you have an interest. Some Members publish periodic catalogues with extensive references detailing their inventory and many also feature more extensive information on their own independent websites. Most importantly, ask questions! Most IFPDA dealers have invested a lifetime of learning in their chosen specialty and enjoy sharing that knowledge with collectors.

Members of the IFPDA are acknowledged specialists in their area of expertise who organize exhibitions, write catalogues, research and locate rare works, and are committed to dealing with their clients in a direct and forthright manner. This website can introduce you to dealers who feature artists or artistic movements which align with your collecting interests. Visiting an art fair where IFPDA Dealers exhibit is an excellent opportunity to view works directly and talk to specialists from all over the world. One of the largest and most prestigious Fairs for prints is the annual IFPDA Print Fair, held in October in New York City. No other fair matches its depth and range of artistic expression in printmaking, making it an excellent place to learn from the art dealers, museum patrons, and collectors who attend each year.

The key factors that influence price are quality, rarity, condition, and the state of the market. Art dealers and publishers can explain why some prints by an artist are more expensive than others and in doing so, will help you understand the relationship between a work’s attributes and its price. A newly published edition enters the market with an offering price that reflects the size of the edition, the complexity of the project, and the demand for the artist’s work. When considering works of art from earlier periods, factor in the dealer’s expertise to authenticate it as well as the sums they may have invested in travel to source it from an important collector or auction. Visiting the IFPDA Print Fair is an excellent way to become more educated about prices as dealers are required to make this information easily accessible on labels or lists. Many IFPDA dealers also indicate price ranges for the prints they post on this website. You can use the Select Price Range filter to view prints in our Viewing Room, visit a dealer’s profile page to see their pricing, or see the pricing information (when available) by clicking on a work of art.

Many collectors start their collection with prints because their multiplicity makes the more affordable. While an experienced collector may eventually buy at auction now and then, more than half the sales in the art market take place through galleries and dealers. Most collectors choose to purchase through a dealer to build a relationship and take time to be sure of their investment. IFPDA Members are dealers who have been strictly vetted prior to joining the association and are committed to ethics, quality, and connoisseurship, all qualities that any knowledgeable collector seeks in the dealers with whom they work.

In addition to this website, there are many online platforms which present a great introduction into finding art and artists that you like. They offer a variety of ways to search and look, and some can even show you new ideas based on other works you've viewed. Be cautious and understand the policies of the site and those of the dealer should you change your mind about your purchase. IFPDA Members adhere to a strict Code of Ethics which you should seek in any dealer from whom yo intend to buy. It is important to emphasize that there is no substitute for seeing a work in person since that is ultimately the way in which you will enjoy it.