Print shop 25/26: Artist Guidelines

Welcome to the Association of Photographic Artists’ inaugural Print shop!

Here you will find information about participating in the Print shop that you can refer to throughout the year. If you have any questions, please check the FAQs before contacting us.

Guidelines

Yes:

Prints on paper or textiles
Unmounted or mounted with passe-partout
A2 or smaller
Clear, accurate details about the work
High resolution image of the work

No:

Diasecs or prints on aluminium
Framed or otherwise mounted works
Larger than A2
Inaccurate information about the work
Low resolution and unclear images of the work

Tips for Texts

Artist biography:

Please write in the third person, e.g. The artist’s practice focuses on… She/He/They studied at..
Include your name and/or artist name along with your year/ place of birth. You can also include any educational institutions/ formal training.
Write a short statement about what inspires/ drives your practice and the materials that you work with
List selected exhibitions and publications, and any notable collections.

Artwork text:

Describe the main themes of the work. What inspired its creation, what does it depict, what does it represent?
Write about the materials and techniques used, and the significance of using these methods?
Does it connect with a larger body of work, or is it part of a series
What do you hope to communicate to a viewer?

Print editions

With a printed edition, the artist informs the buyer of the number of artwork prints that exist or will be produced. The number of editions – i.e. how many prints the artist makes of each artwork – is up to the artist to decide. Common editions are 3, 5, 8 or 10, but an edition can also be 100 or unlimited.

There can be different size options for the same artwork; usually, for example, 2-3. The size of the edition may also affect the price of the works and the last copies of the edition may be more expensive. The artist can make prints for their own use. These prints are marked as artist proofs with the letters AP (Artist Proof), which the artist can use for exhibitions, for example, when the other copies of the edition have been sold. Editions are marked with sequential numbers: for example, 1/5 + 2AP means the first edition of a series of five editions, and 2/5 + 2 AP means the second edition of a series of five editions.

If an artist produces prints of the same artwork in different sizes, colours, or with different printing techniques, these must be marked as their own editions. In general, it is best practice if possible variants of the same work were known already when the first work was sold.

Agreement

By registering your work for the Print shop 25/26, you agree to the following:

You grant the Association of Photographic Artists permission to sell your works on your behalf.
You grant the Association of Photographic Artists exclusive selling rights of the submitted prints for the first three months of the sales period, until 10 February 2026.
You give the Association of Photographic Artists permission to use the uploaded images for promotion of the artworks and the Print shop platform
You communicate clearly with the Association of Photographic Artists on all matters regarding the sale of prints
You securely pack and send sold works within five working days of the notification of sale
You cover any unforeseen costs involved in sending the artwork

Preparation

Before posting:

Each print must be accompanied by a signed certificate of authenticity attached securely to the back of the artwork. You can use the template provided or create your own. Either way, the information must match the details on the artwork and the digital sales agreement.
Each print must be packaged in clear cellophane with a supportive cardboard backing. You can use acid free paper as an additional layer.
Pack the print(s) in a secure cardboard box that is strong enough to withstand normal shipping conditions but within the maximum postage dimensions allocated to the print.
The artist is liable for packing materials costs.

Posting

Ready to send:

The artist is responsible for sending the purchased work to the buyer in collaboration with the Association of Photographic Artists within five working days of the notification of sale. If we do not hear from you within five working days of the notification of sale, we reserve the right to cancel the purchase.
The association will provide a prepaid postage sticker according to the buyer’s delivery choice selected at the online shop checkout. Print it out and attach it to the parcel before delivering it to your local post office.
The artist is liable for postage costs or additional costs for the following: 1) larger or more fragile artworks, 2) if the item is sent via an alternative mode (not agreed upon with the association), and 3) if the item is not suitably packed/ arrives damaged.

Enquiries

Director Henna Harri, 040 591 0770, henna.harri@hippolyte.fi
Exhibition Manager, Anna Airaksinen, 050 379 9036, anna.airaksinen@hippolyte.fi
Association Coordinator, Selina Oakes, 050 397 7339, selina.oakes@hippolyte.fi