Some artists, writers, photographers and lithographers will create a new work and make a certain number of copies of it for sale. When the artist does this, she will usually sign the work and include the number of the work, such as 5 of 10, which means she made 10 of the same work and this is the fifth copy. It is generally understood that these will be the only 10 copies she will make of the work.
A limited-edition print that is mass produced will come from a slide or negative of the original work of the artist, photographer or lithographer. The copies are made on a limited run. These limited editions will carry a cataloged number, such as 250/500, which means the edition is the 250th copy made of the 500 in the limited run. This kind of reproduction may or may not carry the signature of the artist.