Some images are very detailed and because of that take more time and therefore cost more money. If you want to buy an original painting that is already framed and matted you will pay more than if the original was unframed. The infamy of an artist also adds the value. The more well known an artist is the more the painting is valued. Some of the best buys of original works are of up and coming painters.
Many artists now have original works professionally appraised.
This way both the artist and the customer are comfortable with the price. The number of prints is based on an evaluation of the market and the demand or potential demand for the image. Factors such as the popularity of the artist, the image type, the size of the print, the potential demand for the print as well as other factors are all taken into consideration when a print run is done. Print runs range from 10 to 10,000. After the printing and quality is approved, the plates and negatives of the image are destroyed.