ape editions sarl
APE editions sarl is an independent Ghent-based publisher founded in 2010 by Jurgen Maelfeyt, producing limited-edition books and periodicals on photography, art, and architecture for collectors, design enthusiasts, and institutions such as MoMA, Centre Pompidou, and MACBA, distributed through 50+ bookstores across 20+ countries.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2010
- HeadquartersGhent, Belgium
- Headcount—
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What ape editions sarl does
APE editions sarl is an independent publishing platform founded in 2010 by Jurgen Maelfeyt and headquartered in Ghent, Belgium, specializing in limited-edition books and periodicals on photography, contemporary art, and architecture. Its catalog spans the APE Magazine periodical, artist monographs, Special Editions, the recurring MONOGRAM sub-series, and an apparel line, typically produced in print runs of 500 to 1,500 copies at prices ranging from €20 to €50 for standard titles and approximately €100 for special editions. The publisher operates an adjacent Paris-based design studio under the monogram-paris.com brand and maintains a curated distribution network of more than 50 independent bookstores across over 20 countries, supplemented by institutional sales to museums such as MoMA, Centre Pompidou, and MACBA.
The business model combines direct-to-consumer sales via the APE web shop, wholesale through selected independent bookstores and museum stores, and grant-supported project underwriting from public cultural institutions including AFK, Tijl Fonds, HOGENT PWO, and the Italian Ministry of Culture. Strategic partnerships, such as the co-publishing arrangement with Asiro Éditions on "the mom/artist notebook pt. I," extend the catalog into adjacent artist-notebook formats, while awards such as the Henry Van De Velde Award for "Decentering Design" reinforce the editorial brand among curators and institutional buyers.
APE is privately held and founder-controlled, with no disclosed external equity funding and a small team consistent with an artisan micro-publisher. The competitive position rests on curatorial taste, design quality, and a global indie distribution footprint rather than on scale economics, technology, or data assets.
ape editions sarl firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- ape editions sarl
- Legal name
- Jurgen Maelfeyt BV
- Website
- https://artpapereditions.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2010
- Operating status
- Operating
- Short description
- APE editions sarl is an independent Ghent-based publisher founded in 2010 by Jurgen Maelfeyt, producing limited-edition books and periodicals on photography, art, and architecture for collectors, design enthusiasts, and institutions such as MoMA, Centre Pompidou, and MACBA, distributed through 50+ bookstores across 20+ countries.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
ape editions sarl industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Independent Art & Photography Book Publishing
- NAICS
- Book Publishers (513130), Book Publishers (51313)
- SIC
- Books: Publishing Or Publishing & Printing (2731)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Art, Photography & Illustrated Books Publishing (MPAJAAAF)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Hardcover & Premium Editions Publishing (MPAJAAAE), Mass Market & Paperback Publishing (MPAJAAAD)
Keywords
Where ape editions sarl is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Ghent
- HQ country
- Belgium
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
ape editions sarl business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Direct Book Sales: Direct-to-consumer sales of art books, photography books, and special editions through the e-commerce platform. Individual book purchases with prices ranging from €20 to €50 for standard editions, with special editions priced higher (€100).
- Wholesale/Trade Sales: Wholesale distribution to selected bookstores and museum shops globally through distribution partners. Bookstores place orders for resale to end customers.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Standard book editions priced €20-€50 |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Special editions priced €100+ |
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | Free shipping on orders above €70 |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels8 records
Marketing channels7 records
ape editions sarl product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Art Paper Editions (APE) is an independent publisher that produces limited-edition books on photography, art, and architecture in close collaboration with contemporary artists, writers, institutions, and galleries. Its catalog spans monographs, the MONOGRAM stapled-edition sub-series, premium Special Editions bundled with signed prints, and supplementary merchandise (posters, apparel), sold directly via its own e-commerce site and through a global network of selected bookstores.
Product overview
Art Paper Editions (APE) is an independent publishing platform founded in 2010 by Jurgen Maelfeyt, operating as a book-as-exhibition-space model. The core product is a portfolio of award-winning publications on photography, art, and architecture, published in close collaboration with artists, writers, institutions, and galleries. The product line includes: (1) the main book/publication catalog spanning photography monographs, art books, and architecture titles; (2) the MONOGRAM limited edition series (MONOGRAM 2, 5, 6, 8, etc.) featuring contemporary artists in stapled formats; (3) Special Editions offering premium packaging with signed prints limited to 100 copies; (4) an Apparel sub-brand for branded clothing items; (5) Poster prints; and (6) a Rare/Archive section for out-of-print and collectible editions. Publications are crafted to the highest standard and many are acquired by institutional libraries including MoMA, Centre Pompidou, and MACBA. Distribution spans Europe, US, Scandinavia, China, Australia/New Zealand, and other regions through established bookstore partnerships.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- MONOGRAM: A sub-series/product line of publications under Art Paper Editions, featuring monographs and editions.
Products and services
- Photography and Art Books Award-winning books on photography, art, and architecture published in close collaboration with contemporary artists, writers, institutions, and galleries. Sold directly via artpapereditions.org and through 50+ selected bookstores globally; institutional copies are held by MoMA, Centre Pompidou, and MACBA.
- MONOGRAM Series A recurring limited-edition stapled-format monograph sub-series (e.g., MONOGRAM 2, 5, 6, 8) showcasing individual contemporary artists' photography and artistic projects in compact 21 x 26 cm publications.
- Special Editions Premium limited-edition versions of selected APE publications that bundle the standard book with exclusive extras such as signed and numbered C-type prints, typically limited to 100 copies and priced at €100 or above.
- Apparel Clothing and textile products branded with Art Paper Editions artwork and identity, extending the publisher's brand into lifestyle merchandise.
- Posters Print posters reproducing artwork and images from published APE projects and artist collaborations, sold as standalone items.
- Rare / Archive Editions Archived, rare, and collectible editions from APE's back catalog, including out-of-print publications available for purchase while supplies last.
Companies that use ape editions sarl
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
ape editions sarl technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
ape editions sarl partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
13 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Interart PariscoreEuropean and US distribution partner handling wholesale orders. Located at 1 rue de l'est, F-75020 Paris, France. Contact: +33 (0)1.43.49.36.60, [email protected].
- Antenne BookscoreUK distribution partner managed by Bryony Lloyd. Contact: +44 (0) 203 582 8257, [email protected].
- TeketcoreScandinavian distribution partner for Art Paper Editions publications. Contact: [email protected].
- Perimeter DistributioncoreAustralia and New Zealand distribution partner. Located in Thornbury, Victoria. Contact: +61 3 9484 8101, [email protected].
- World Magazine Co., Ltd.coreSouth Korea distribution partner. Located at 1F Yujin Building, 13-7 Nonhyeon-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, Republic of Korea (zip.06039). Contact: +82(0)2.529.9123, [email protected].
- JiazazhicoreChina distribution partner for Art Paper Editions. Located at 江北区宝马街八号, 315021 Ningbo. Contact: [email protected].
- Twelvebooks / Atsushi HamanakaminorDistribution contact for Japan and Asian markets. Contact: [email protected].
- Asiro ÉditionsminorCo-publishing partner for the publication 'the mom/artist notebook pt. I'. Joint artistic project on motherhood and art.
- AFK (Amsterdam Fund for the Arts)minorGenerous supporter of Zsofia Kollar's 'Object-Oriented Identity' publication.
- Tijl Fonds (Amsterdam)minorGenerous supporter of Zsofia Kollar's 'Object-Oriented Identity' publication.
- HOGENT PWO Research FundminorSupported the publication 'Decentering Design — Practice in a More-than-human World'.
- Be-Part, Platform for Contemporary ArtminorSupported the Ria Verhaeghe 'Provisoria' project. Located in Waregem and Kortrijk, Belgium.
- Directorate-General for Contemporary Creativity of the Italian Ministry of CultureminorPromoted Strategia Fotografia 2024, which supported the promotion of Carla Rossi's 'Bellissima' publication.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
ape editions sarl competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Steidl: German independent publisher founded by Gerhard Steidl, producing high-quality photography, art, and architecture books with elite artist collaborations and global institutional reach — the closest direct peer to APE in positioning, craft standards, and limited-edition art-book model.
- MACK (Mack Books): London-based independent publisher of contemporary photography and art books with curated monographs, limited editions, and a presence in art bookshops worldwide — directly comparable to APE in catalog type, editioning approach, and artist-driven programming.
- Aperture Foundation: New York nonprofit photography publisher producing fine-art photography books, monographs, and limited editions, distributed through art bookshops and museum stores globally — same core customer base and product type as APE but with a larger catalog and institutional nonprofit backing.
- Damiani Editore: Italian art and photography book publisher producing high-quality monographs and limited editions distributed internationally — comparable to APE in editorial scope, premium production values, and reliance on curated bookstore networks.
- Editorial RM: Mexico City-based independent publisher of photography, art, and architecture books with international art-bookstore distribution — comparable in catalog focus, production standards, and reliance on a curated network of international retailers.
Broad incumbents
- Taschen: Global, much larger publisher of art, photography, architecture, and design books across price points and editions — overlaps with APE in subject matter and bookstore distribution but operates at vastly greater scale and breadth.
- Hatje Cantz: Established German art and photography publisher producing exhibition catalogs, monographs, and art books distributed through art bookshops and museums — broader catalog and greater institutional weight than APE but overlapping in audience and product format.
Emerging players
- Loose Joints: London-based independent photobook publisher producing artist monographs and limited editions for emerging and mid-career photographers — comparable to APE's MONOGRAM series in scope, target artist profile, and distribution through art bookshops.
- RVB Books: Italian independent photobook publisher producing artist monographs and limited editions with international distribution — comparable to APE in scale, curatorial identity, and emphasis on physical craft in limited print runs.
- Charcoal Publishing Club: Independent photography book publisher focused on artist monographs and limited editions distributed to collectors and art bookshops — overlaps with APE's audience, editioning strategy, and DTC-plus-wholesale model.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
ape editions sarl social profiles
Digital presenceape editions sarl financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
ape editions sarl leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
ape editions sarl funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
ape editions sarl M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about ape editions sarl
What does ape editions sarl do?
Art Paper Editions (APE) is an independent publisher that produces limited-edition books on photography, art, and architecture in close collaboration with contemporary artists, writers, institutions, and galleries. Its catalog spans monographs, the MONOGRAM stapled-edition sub-series, premium Special Editions bundled with signed prints, and supplementary merchandise (posters, apparel), sold directly via its own e-commerce site and through a global network of selected bookstores.
Is ape editions sarl a public or private company?
ape editions sarl is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was ape editions sarl founded?
ape editions sarl was founded in 2010.
Where is ape editions sarl based?
ape editions sarl is headquartered in Ghent, Belgium, in the Europe region.
How does ape editions sarl make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Direct Book Sales are the primary driver. The others are wholesale/Trade Sales.
Who are ape editions sarl's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Steidl, MACK (Mack Books), Aperture Foundation, Damiani Editore and Editorial RM. Broad incumbents are Taschen and Hatje Cantz. Emerging players are Loose Joints, RVB Books and Charcoal Publishing Club.
Does ape editions sarl have an API?
No public API is recorded for ape editions sarl.
What industry is ape editions sarl in?
ape editions sarl's product category is Independent Art & Photography Book Publishing. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPAJAAAF, Art, Photography & Illustrated Books Publishing, with a secondary code of MPAJAAAE, Hardcover & Premium Editions Publishing. Its NAICS code is 513130 and its SIC code is 2731.