Tyler Stout’s The Dark Crystal Screen Print Comes in Four Editions

Four versions of Stout’s Dark Crystal poster

Four versions give collectors different ways to bring Tyler Stout’s The Dark Crystal artwork home, with edition sizes ranging from 50 to 375. Bottleneck Gallery’s release pairs the artist’s dense, character-filled interpretation of the 1982 film with a choice of standard screen print, metallic ink variants, or an acrylic panel. The distinctions are practical as well as visual: each format has its own edition size and listed price.

The poster is designed as a layered collage of characters, symbols and settings from the world of Thra. Bottleneck Gallery describes the composition as an intricate tribute to the story and its distinctive atmosphere, with details intended to reward a closer look. Fizzgig gets a particular mention from the gallery, which calls out Stout’s drawing of the furry creature as a favorite element. That small detail points to the kind of viewing the image invites: the main arrangement may catch the eye first, but individual characters can hold attention after the first glance.

Four formats, four edition sizes

The Regular Edition is a 24-by-36-inch hand-numbered screen print, limited to 375 pieces, with a listed retail price of $75. The Copper Variant uses metallic inks, has an edition size of 250 and is priced at $85. The Gold Variant is the smallest of the three paper screen print editions at 150 pieces, also priced at $85.

The fourth option changes the support and printing method. Bottleneck Gallery is offering an Acrylic Panel Edition made on a 4mm-thick acrylic panel with archival pigment inks. Its edition is limited to 50 pieces and the listed price is $125. That makes it the smallest run and the highest-priced format in this release; the source gives no further details about mounting, finish or display hardware.

For collectors comparing the choices, the edition counts and materials are the clearest points of difference supplied. The Regular Edition has the largest run and lowest price. Copper and Gold both cost $85, but their edition sizes differ by 100 pieces, and the Copper version is specifically identified by its metallic inks. The acrylic edition is a separate presentation on panel rather than another screen print colorway. If you’re choosing between them, the practical questions are how the material will look in your space and whether you prefer the image on paper or a rigid panel.

A tribute built for close viewing

Stout’s approach suits a film whose appeal rests in part on its elaborate world and memorable inhabitants. Rather than focusing on a single character or scene, the design brings together visual references across the story. That collage structure gives viewers several ways to read the image: from a distance, the overall arrangement carries the poster; up close, the smaller figures and symbols become the draw.

That density also makes the choice of format worth considering. The three screen print versions share the stated 24-by-36-inch dimensions, while the acrylic edition is described by its 4mm panel thickness and archival pigment inks. The source does not specify whether the panel version has different dimensions, so buyers should check the listing for any additional product details before ordering. For the screen print editions, the hand-numbering detail is stated for the Regular Edition; the source does not extend that description to the other versions. This is more significant than it looks: product descriptions often bundle a format, finish and edition count, and readers should avoid assuming an unstated feature applies across every version.

The release celebrates The Dark Crystal, the 1982 film associated with Jim Henson and Frank Oz, through an alternative movie poster by Stout. Bottleneck Gallery frames the artwork as an homage to the film’s ambitious puppetry and its richly imagined setting. The artist and gallery are collaborating again on the project, continuing a working relationship noted in the source. That context helps explain why the poster is pitched as more than a generic fantasy image: it draws its appeal from a specific film world and a recognizable visual language.

What collectors should check

All four versions are scheduled to go on sale at 12 p.m. ET on Friday, October 23, at BottleneckGallery.com. The source does not specify the year for that sale date, so collectors should confirm the listing details when checking availability. The listed prices and edition sizes make comparison straightforward, though they don’t answer questions about shipping, packaging or the panel’s display setup. Those details matter when an object is meant for a wall, particularly when the format changes from paper to acrylic.

Here's the thing: edition size is only one part of the collecting decision. A smaller run describes how many pieces are offered, but the source makes no claim about future demand or resale value. The Copper and Gold variants present another choice: both cost $85, yet one has metallic inks and the other is identified by its gold treatment, while their edition sizes differ. Collectors will need to decide whether the material distinction is visible enough to matter in person, since the supplied description doesn’t explain the exact appearance of either finish.

And yet, the poster’s dense composition may be the strongest reason to consider the release. A design built around characters, symbols and settings gives the owner something to revisit, rather than relying on a single prominent image. For a collector who already values The Dark Crystal, that kind of detail can make the print feel closely tied to the film’s world. The acrylic panel, with its separate support and pigment printing, offers a different physical presentation; whether that suits a collection depends on the space and the way the owner likes to display art.

What this means for you: compare the material, stated dimensions, edition count and price, then verify any unanswered product details on the listing. The release offers four clear options, but it doesn’t supply every specification a buyer might want. A closer look at the listing should resolve those practical questions before the scheduled sale.