Gauntlet Gallery — Complete Faile Print Index
Tender Forever
Summary
Tender Forever is a 2008 print produced as an ambitious 25-color relief on 300-gram Somerset Satin paper, 28 x 32 inches, from an edition of 315. Signed Faile, it was made using registered magnesium plates, a technically demanding process well beyond the studio's typical silkscreen approach.
Why It Matters
A 25-color relief printed from magnesium plates is a serious technical undertaking, and the heavyweight Somerset Satin stock signals a fine-art print intended for durability. The larger edition of 315 made it more widely available, positioning it as an accessible yet elaborately produced work rather than a scarce hand-finished single-digit release.
Collector Perspective
Collectors value Tender Forever for its craftsmanship: multi-color relief registration is difficult, and clean impressions with sharp registration are the mark of a strong example. Because the edition is large, condition separates the best copies, so inspect for even ink lay-down, crisp registration, and pristine Somerset Satin margins. Confirm the Faile signature.
Historical Context
Tender Forever shows Faile stepping into traditional fine-art printmaking, using relief and magnesium plates alongside their signature romance imagery. Produced in 2008, it reflects the studio's growing ambition to work in more permanent, technically rigorous formats while retaining the tender, love-story sensibility of the title.
FAQ
What printing process was used?
A 25-color relief printed from registered magnesium plates on Somerset Satin paper.
How large is the edition?
An edition of 315, larger and more accessible than Faile's hand-finished runs.
What paper is it on?
300-gram Somerset Satin, a heavyweight fine-art stock.
Is it hand-finished?
No; unlike many Faile editions, it is a printed relief work rather than hand-worked, signed Faile.
About the Artist
FAILE is a Brooklyn-based artistic collaboration founded in 1999 by Patrick McNeil and Patrick Miller. Known for a distinctive collage aesthetic that blends comic-book imagery, pulp advertising, religious iconography, and street-poster typography, FAILE built its reputation through wheat-pasted works and stencils in cities worldwide. The duo is celebrated for reviving printmaking and woodblock techniques, and for immersive installations such as their prayer-wheel and temple environments. Their work has been exhibited internationally, including projects with the New York City Ballet, bridging street practice and fine-art institutions.
Collecting Faile at Gauntlet Gallery
Which FAILE works are best to collect?
FAILE's signed, numbered silkscreen editions and their hand-finished wood and mixed-media pieces are the core of the market. Screenprints from their studio releases offer an accessible entry, while unique wooden "blocks" and painted works sit at the higher end. Gauntlet Gallery focuses on complete, well-preserved impressions with strong color registration.
How is a FAILE piece authenticated?
We sell FAILE works with documented studio provenance, backed by the edition's signature and numbering. Every piece is photographed as-is, including the signature, edition number, and any studio markings, so you can confirm details before purchase.
What makes one FAILE piece worth more?
Edition size, medium (unique wood pieces over open prints), iconic imagery, condition, and provenance from a known release all drive value. Hand-embellished and one-of-a-kind works consistently outperform standard editioned prints.