Final answer:
The correct answer is option c) By destroying the printing plates.
Step-by-step explanation:
Contemporary artists Gilbert and George have been known to limit the editions of their prints in a unique way. In the context of printmaking, where the replication of artwork allows for broader dissemination of an artist's work, editioning is a common practice to maintain the rarity and value of prints. When artists decide to limit an edition, they may choose to sign and number each print to indicate it is part of a limited series.
However, to ensure their prints remain exclusive, some artists, like Gilbert and George, may take the additional step of destroying the printing plates after a limited run. This prevents any further copies from being produced in the future, truly limiting the edition.
While using low-quality materials could also potentially limit the lifespan of a print, and producing only one print or signing each print could add value or confirm authenticity, it is the act of destroying the printing plates that most definitively caps the number of prints available. This practice both ensures the scarcity of the print and heightens its collectability in the art market.