WoolenMammoth
Well-known
is this worth debating?
do whatever makes you happy, or when appropriate, what the gallery requests of you.
do whatever makes you happy, or when appropriate, what the gallery requests of you.
Where do you sign your prints?
- Thread starter capitalK
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capitalK
Warrior Poet :P
It's been worth it for me to start this thread, I've heard lots of differing viewpoints. I was considering signing the white border but I think now I will just do the back and possibly the matte if asked to do so.
Thanks everybody for you opinions, feel free to keep discussing 😀
squirrel$$$bandit
Veteran
I never thought of that but yeah, I agree!
Shok
Low Roller
Usually within the image somewhere not too obvious. But watermarking on the computer has taken over my signing.
There's also identifying marks throughout my images that I use as proof they're mine. (I've been through problems in the past with my paintings and have learnt a valuable lesson) Only I and a select number of family/friends know what and where these marks are.
Trust me, chasing through the legal system because some gimp decides to rip-off your art is a real eye opener. You learn a few things. 😉
There's also identifying marks throughout my images that I use as proof they're mine. (I've been through problems in the past with my paintings and have learnt a valuable lesson) Only I and a select number of family/friends know what and where these marks are.
Trust me, chasing through the legal system because some gimp decides to rip-off your art is a real eye opener. You learn a few things. 😉
Shok
Low Roller
Some prints of my artwork turned up at a weekend garden market. Signature removed, and messed with. I got nothing out of all my troubles.
Because I hadn't kept the original artwork, I had a horror of a time proving it was mine. In the end, the perp got a slap on the wrist and I got told to "shape up" and get my act together. Shortly afterwards, the tax department investigated my home business and shut it down, with a $10000 fine for tax evasion. Weather it was connected or not I have no idea, but it was awfully coincidental.
Because I hadn't kept the original artwork, I had a horror of a time proving it was mine. In the end, the perp got a slap on the wrist and I got told to "shape up" and get my act together. Shortly afterwards, the tax department investigated my home business and shut it down, with a $10000 fine for tax evasion. Weather it was connected or not I have no idea, but it was awfully coincidental.
AndrewNYC
Established
In my living room. Usually whilst sitting on the couch drinking scotch.
coelacanth
Ride, dive, shoot.
I sign when I'm giving a darkroom print on fiber paper to friends.
Never sold photography prints.
When I sold some etching prints, I signed on the front border with edition # and such.
Never sold photography prints.
When I sold some etching prints, I signed on the front border with edition # and such.
topoxforddoc
Established
On the back of the print and on the lower right hand corner of the matt (both in pencil)
Rob-F
Likes Leicas
I sign mine in my basement.
Vince Lupo
Whatever
If it's a glossy, fibre-based b+w print, I sign in pencil in the lower right portion of the print (in the image itself). That way the signature is somewhat 'etched' into the print, though it's not readily apparent at first glance (you kinda have to look on an angle in order to see it). If it's matted and framed, I'll also sign it very small in pencil in the mat.
anu L ogy
Well-known
Interesting. I didnt think so many people would be against a full frontal signature 🙂 I took a photo class last year at a local community college, and the professor required us to sign on the front.
Vince Lupo
Whatever
If you do sign the print, you need to watch what you sign with. Ink will probably fade over time - that's why I like signing the way I do, as it won't fade (as it applies to glossy fibre-based b+w prints, that is).
RichL
Well-known
Actually I just brush my logo in the lower right corner using a spotting brush and Spotone.
Chris101
summicronia
Where do you get Spotone, or do you mean Marshall's?
PKR
Veteran
Edition # on lower left, signature and date lower right with 2B pencil. Copyright on back of print, center in India Ink. p.
PKR
Veteran
Most galleries require a print be signed. If you are concerned about being "high profile", sign low enough on the print border so the signature can be covered by a mat. Mats are not generally signed as they can be transferred to another print. p.
Haven't had the need to sign since I never sold anything. I would never sign anything if I didn't have to.
le vrai rdu
Well-known
I sign only when I sale, wich is not that often in fact 🙁 😀
I used to do that on the back but it seems people prefer it on the front
I used to do that on the back but it seems people prefer it on the front
shadowfox
Darkroom printing lives
This is one of the old fascinating threads that I missed.
My "education" about signing prints came from a framer, an artist himself (sculptor) that has a side business of creating custom frames.
He told me that when you sign your prints or paintings, it carries with it the level of care and respect you have for your artwork, yourself and your customers.
If you sign your pictures haphazardly, it shows that you are not sure about the quality of the artwork, and more tellingly, it reveals your insecurity. So his advice is to take it seriously, or don't sign it at all.
That was a couple of years ago, I've traded prints, sold a couple, and given away some since, and each time I did, I always remember what he said. My handwriting/signature is downright ugly. So I practiced a lot to create a consistent signature.
I always give my buyers a mounted print, with enough space for me to sign on the lower right corner of the print. Leaving plenty of space for frame mats. They can even cover my signature if they wanted to, which is fine by me, that is not my business anymore.
Of course I only sign my own photographs, when I print for other photographers, they get to sign the print. And I gave them the same advice my "teacher" told me years ago 🙂
My "education" about signing prints came from a framer, an artist himself (sculptor) that has a side business of creating custom frames.
He told me that when you sign your prints or paintings, it carries with it the level of care and respect you have for your artwork, yourself and your customers.
If you sign your pictures haphazardly, it shows that you are not sure about the quality of the artwork, and more tellingly, it reveals your insecurity. So his advice is to take it seriously, or don't sign it at all.
That was a couple of years ago, I've traded prints, sold a couple, and given away some since, and each time I did, I always remember what he said. My handwriting/signature is downright ugly. So I practiced a lot to create a consistent signature.
I always give my buyers a mounted print, with enough space for me to sign on the lower right corner of the print. Leaving plenty of space for frame mats. They can even cover my signature if they wanted to, which is fine by me, that is not my business anymore.
Of course I only sign my own photographs, when I print for other photographers, they get to sign the print. And I gave them the same advice my "teacher" told me years ago 🙂
Last edited:
le vrai rdu
Well-known
excellent advice imho 🙂
