In the contemporary print world, a portfolio is more than a collection of images; it is a compact operations manual that signals reliability. Start with a clear statement of your practice, terminology, and the kinds of works you produce. Include a representative range of editions, sizes, and papers to demonstrate versatility, while emphasizing consistency in color, tonal balance, and archival integrity. Your project descriptions should be concise yet informative, outlining edition numbers, plate or matrix types, and any special handling required in production. A well-structured catalog fosters confidence in curators and agents who must forecast how works travel, display, and hold up over time.
Connectivity matters as much as content. Build a cohesive sequence that maps your process from concept to finished print. Use precise vocabulary to explain studios, tooling, inks, and presses. Where possible, provide third-party validation—certifications, archival tests, or material invoices—to anchor claims about longevity and performance. A dedicated page explains your recordkeeping for editions: how numbers are assigned, how certificates are issued, and how you track variations across runs. This transparency reduces ambiguity and signals you understand the responsibilities of distributing editions to international audiences with varied conservation contexts.
Edition integrity and provenance documentation for global audiences
The heart of a strong portfolio lies in the clarity of your editioning system. Describe edition sizes, justification for multiples, and the method by which the sequence is established and maintained. Include a short note on whether prints are numbered, signed, or both, and how you handle artist proofs. Detail how plates or screens are prepared, tested, and archived so restorations or reprinted works match the original vision. When galleries request authentication, your documented approach should quickly translate into a shared understanding of value and rarity. A precise policy reduces disputes and aligns expectations across different markets.
Documentation that travels with the work can defuse international friction. Provide a curated edition ledger for each work, with columns for title, size, substrate, edition size, unique identifiers, and the date of production. Include a production timeline that marks stages from image capture through processing, proofing, and final printing. If you work with collaborators or printers, name them and describe their responsibilities, so the gallery understands the entire chain. Finally, present a brief, user-friendly glossary of terms to assist curators who may come from disciplines outside printmaking.
Shipping clarity, insurance rigor, and customs readiness for international galleries
Your shipping philosophy should be explicit and practical, outlining how you package, select carriers, and insure delicate materials for international transit. Start with a packing standard that specifies materials, padding strategies, and palletization if necessary. Explain how works are protected against moisture, impact, and temperature fluctuations, and show examples of packaging diagrams. Acknowledge destination-specific constraints, such as climate considerations, customs documentation, and potential duties. By preemptively addressing these concerns, you reduce delays and damage, and you give galleries confidence that the delivery experience mirrors the care invested in creation.
Insurance and risk management deserve equal emphasis. State the coverage you pursue for each shipment, including policy limits, carriers’ liability, and how claims would be handled. Include a contingency plan for losses or damages, such as replacement terms or partial refunds, to reassure international partners. Provide editable templates for invoices, packing lists, and certificates of authenticity that galleries can adapt for their own records. A well-documented shipping protocol signals professionalism and helps you maintain consistent relationships with lenders, framers, and couriers across borders.
Transparent logistics narratives support reliable, scalable international delivery
In your portfolio text, emphasize how you manage documentation for customs. Describe the exact paperwork you provide with each shipment: commercial invoices, export licenses if needed, and any required certificates. Clarify how artwork is classified—framing materials, substrates, and finishes—and the HS codes you rely on. Sharing sample forms or templates helps streamline the gallery’s internal processes and reduces the chance of misclassification at border control. A clear customs narrative also demonstrates your respect for local regulations and your willingness to partner with galleries in ensuring timely delivery to biennials, fairs, or private collections abroad.
Consider a sample logistics flow that a gallery can reference. Outline the steps from packing to handover at the destination hub, including transit times, expected handoffs, and peak-season considerations. Include notes on how you coordinate with shipping partners, galleries, and framers to minimize handling and unpacking risks. If you offer multiple shipping options, explain the trade-offs between cost, speed, and safety. A transparent flow reduces anxiety for international programs and makes your edition management more predictable and scalable.
Material choices and display longevity inform international curatorial decisions
A sophisticated portfolio often includes a dedicated production page that reveals the workflow behind each print. Describe the stages of image capture, color management, rasterization, and any retouching or edition-specific modifications. Highlight proofing practices, how proofs are approved, and the criteria used to move from proof to final print. This disclosure helps galleries understand the degree of precision you bring to reproduction and the cadence of editions. It also signals that you monitor quality systematically, not by luck, which is crucial for maintaining consistent presentation across multiple international venues.
Beyond process, articulate a philosophy of media and materiality. Explain why you selected particular papers, inks, and pressing methods, and how these choices align with your artistic concerns. A clear rationale fosters appreciation from curators who evaluate a body of work for a distinct voice. Include notes on archival stability, potential color shifts over time, and recommended display conditions. Galleries benefit when they can anticipate how your prints will age, which informs their decisions about installation, lighting, and conservation.
Finally, showcase a curatorial-ready installation concept for your prints. Provide a suggested wall plan or hang sequence that emphasizes rhythm, scale, and sequence across several works. Consider how your edition sizes support a coherent display, whether solo or grouped by theme. A short installation brief helps curators visualize how your works interact with space, light, and other media. Emphasize care instructions for handling during installation and how you prefer to be contacted for condition reports or post-exhibition inquiries. The more concrete your guidance, the smoother future collaborations become.
Include a robust digital companion to your physical portfolio. Offer high-resolution, color-accurate images with calibrated previews, plus downloadable PDFs of edition details, provenance, and shipping data. Provide a responsive online gallery or catalog that mirrors the physical walk-through, ensuring consistency across devices and regions. If available, share a short video that demonstrates the production sequence or showcases your studio environment. This multimodal approach strengthens accessibility for international curators, agents, and collectors who may rely on remote evaluation before a physical loan or purchase.
