A guide to original art
Know what you are hanging on the wall.
How to tell an original from a print, what art should cost, how to frame, hang and ship it, and where to buy affordable art, with every figure linked to its source.
9 guides, 122 sources, 41 of them government or museum. Last checked 21 October 2026.
Sections
- 01
Originals, prints and editions
How an original differs from a print, what giclee, limited edition, signed and numbered mean, and which paper or canvas suits which wall. 2 pages.
- 02
Prices and budgets
How artists and galleries price work, what emerging artists charge, how to set a budget, and the resale right that can add a payment to a later sale. 1 page.
- 03
Framing, hanging and care
How to frame art so it lasts, what archival materials mean, the height to hang it, and how light, humidity and handling age paper and canvas. 2 pages.
- 04
Shipping, duty and insurance
How art is packed and shipped, what customs charge on artworks in the UK, India and the US, how to declare value, and what insurance and returns cover. 1 page.
- 05
Buying guide
Where to buy affordable original art, how to buy from emerging artists, what copyright you receive with a purchase, and how to avoid common traps. 3 pages.
Newest guides
All changes- 05
How to buy art for the first time: ten steps from budget to wall
Set a budget, look before you buy, tell an original from a print, check the seller, pay safely and get the piece home. Ten steps for a first purchase.
- 02
How art is priced: the factors, the formulas and what a fair price looks like
How artists and galleries set prices: career stage, size, medium, edition, gallery commission and the formulas behind them, plus how a buyer can judge a price.
- 03
How to frame art: mats, glazing, frames and a safe DIY method
How to frame a print, drawing or painting so it lasts: the mat, glazing, backing and frame that museum conservators specify, a DIY method and cheap routes.
- 04
How to ship art internationally: packing, couriers, customs forms and import duty
How to send a painting or print overseas: what drives the cost, how to pack a tube, a framed work or a crate, which customs papers to fill in and who pays duty.
- 01
Original art vs prints: how to tell them apart and what each is worth
How to tell an original painting, an original print and a reproduction apart: texture, magnification, edition numbers, signatures, techniques and price.
- 05
Where to buy affordable art: degree shows, open studios, fairs and museum galleries
Where to find original art that costs less than a gallery: degree shows, open studios, price-capped fairs, museum rental galleries and interest-free credit.