Frequently Asked Questions

What does Limited Edition mean?
What's so great about a Limited Edition Print?
What's the advantage of owning a Mike MacDonald Limited Edition Print?
Why do Limited Edition Prints cost more than other prints?
Why don't you offer your pictures framed or matted?
How long does it take for me to receive my Limited Edition Print?
Your Limited Edition Prints are made using what process?
In your picture "One Foggy Winter Morning," the color is amazing. Did you use a filter?
How should I frame and care for my print?
Getting the Most from Your Print

Q: What does Limited Edition mean?
A: A Limited Edition photograph means that only so many prints of that image can be made or sold. The "edition number" is the maximum number of photographs, regardless of size, which may be printed from the original transparency or negative (plus a small number of artist's proofs).

Q: What's so great about a Limited Edition Print?
A: Limiting the number of prints increases the potential value of a piece because there will be fewer of them out there. The fewer the prints, the rarer the image becomes. It's an investment in your future and in the artist. If you buy a photograph from an art fair exhibitor and the print is not numbered, there could be thousands of that image floating around someday. If you buy a print from an artist you believe in and his work one-day gains notoriety, you may have a very expensive photograph on your hands.

Q: What's the advantage of owning a Mike MacDonald Limited Edition Print?
A: Mike's work is gaining notoriety, which can only increase the value of the print over time. Also, a Mike MacDonald image has a very enduring quality. More than just a pretty picture, each image tells a story and evokes an emotion, bringing pleasure for years to come.

Q: Why do Limited Edition Prints cost more than other prints?
A: There are two ways to make money: sell a large number of prints at a lower price or sell a small number of prints at a higher price. Take the example of an art fair exhibitor whose strategy is to sell low-priced, unnumbered photographs. To keep prices down, the artist can't put a lot of money into quality (i.e., good paper, good printing, etc.). Because this artist never has to worry about running out of prints, thousands can be sold at very low prices year after year, spreading the initial investment over an endless period of time. On the other hand, the artist offering limited edition prints must sell his work at a higher price because quality comes first. The print must be of the highest quality requiring more attention to detail, more time and labor, and more expensive processes and materials. Since the number of pictures is limited, a higher price must be charged to recoup the investment from fewer potential sales.

Q: Why don't you offer your pictures framed or matted?
A: Matting and framing is an industry in itself and there's a great deal of precision and expertise required to properly frame a photographic print. Since we're not in the framing business, we could never compete with the selection and price of your local frame shop. Nor could we guarantee the quality over many years of use. Shipping a photograph framed in glass is another difficult and risky task.

If you live in the Chicago, Illinois area, we've addressed this issue by teaming up with some of the best framers in the area to do the job for you. We've compiled a list of framers from all over the Chicago area that meet our highest standards of quality, experience, and personal service. And when they frame one of our prints, you'll receive 25% off the total framing price!

Q: How long does it take for me to receive my Limited Edition Print?
A: Every Mike MacDonald Limited Edition Photographic Print is made to order according to Mike's exacting specifications. Therefore, you should expect two to six weeks for delivery. For some of Mike's more popular images, we try to anticipate demand. In this case, it's not uncommon to receive your print in less than two weeks. Our standard shipping method is UPS Ground. If you're in a hurry, we can ship it faster for an additional charge.

Q: Your Limited Edition Prints are made using what process?
A: Type-C prints (short for chromogenic prints) are used because they exhibit less ontrast and an even color range, thereby preserving the important subtleties of each image. Type-C prints are collected by The Museum of Modern Art.

Q: In your picture "One Foggy Winter Morning," the color is amazing. Did you use a filter?
A: Mike explains, "I've created a soul-stirring multimedia presentation of my work called The Heart of Nature and audiences who see the show often become very moved by the experience. If I told them that that perfect, natural, spiritual world, where they had just escaped, did not truly exist—that it was manipulated by filters—it would break their hearts. What a cruel joke that would be. Nature is perfect. There's no room for improvement."

Q: How should I frame and care for my print?
A: Because you're purchasing a piece of limited edition art, it's wise to protect your investment to ensure long print life. Start by framing the photograph using acid-free materials. Acid from mats and mounting materials leaches into the print and causes it to yellow over time, just like paper does. Any decent framer will know exactly what you're talking about. When you display your framed print, never hang the photograph in direct sunlight because that will most certainly fade the image. High humidity can also shorten the life of your photograph, so avoid displaying your print in a damp room. To learn more, visit our web page called Getting the Most from Your Print.