An artist proof is a select number of prints set aside from the main edition, originally intended for artists to verify print quality and color accuracy before full production. In contemporary art markets, these proofs have evolved to become highly collectible, often bearing unique characteristics or slight variations from the main edition.

Collectors prize artist proofs for their rarity, direct connection to the artist's creative process, and potential for increased value. Typically marked with "AP" and the artist's signature, these prints represent a unique intersection of artistic methodology and market value.