I would be really leery of attaching anything to the back of a print. The glue (archival or not)may affect the paper and worse, may show an outline on the face of the print if it is matted or mounted. I do ensure that my customer has my contact info. It is on the sheet I give them and on the "paid" invoice that I send to them.
This system seems to work for me and poses less of a risk to a fine print.
-PB
Posted by Nelcha Cross on October 31, 2006 at 11:52 PM
Thanks Preston,
I am REALLY concerned about the paper NOT staying with the image though
and the contact info etc. will be lost....
I have had this happen B4....that's why I started putting it on the back of the matted print.
I'm not sure of the Archivability of the Sharpie...I think there is another pen that is safer...
I'll look for the name and report it when I locate the safe place that I put it
I would include all of that other info on the receipt anyway...
and I already have some info about display art on my website, which I am in the middle of re-doing....
I just know how easy it is for pieces of paper to get separated....
you think you put it in a safe place...that was logical......and then....
Maybe someone else out there has heard of or is usng another method....
Thanks for your response....
In gratitude,
Nelcha
Posted by Scott Buckel on November 1, 2006 at 1:07 AM
Nelcha - I am thinking that I have seen an acid free sharpie like pen somewhere, but I can't remember where. It could be Light Impressions or a framing supply catalog.
Here's the pen: http://www.dickblick.com/zz207/02/
Posted by Nelcha Cross on November 2, 2006 at 4:52 AM
OK, thanks Michael....that takes care of the pen.
Now are there ay archival labels or other safe way of including your contact info
besides a separate piece of paper??
Anyone know any other Pros that they can ask???
What's the "norm" out there now???
All ideas welcome....
include links if you see something....
Posted by John W. Wall on November 2, 2006 at 2:18 PM
One solution is not to worry about it. When I'm selling unmatted prints, they are signed. Contact info is on a sticker on the back of the mat/stiffening board. Business cards and bookmarks (and books) with my info are on the table. If you love something, let it go!
Posted by Nelcha Cross on November 2, 2006 at 3:19 PM
Thanks JW, but large images get rolled up and put in a tube for shipping.
I think you are missing my point a bit....
In the past I have purchased images and cards from photogs and then
later wanted to tell someone about them or get something new from them
and if their contact info isn't listed I have NO way of contacting them or
passing on their info....Since "word of mouth" is some of the best advertising
I would like to be able to not make this same mistake.....
Maybe this isn't a concern for you, but obviously it is for me or I wouldn't have made the post.
Telling me "not to worryabout it" is not exactly a constructive response.
Please be considerate of those that don't have books yet or aren't as established as you obviously are.
If someone is looking at a print on someone's home on the wall they obviously can't see
your bookmarks, cards, books, etc...whomever the photog is...
I am happy for you in your success, but this ia a contact issue for those of us that HAVE been frustrated trying to contact no "info photogs" and I don't want to be one of them...
I would hope that since you probably weren't born "established"
you would be a little more understanding of someone asking this type of question....
BTW, I do..."let them go", the minute the creative process is done....
..............I just want them to be able to contact me later if they choose to
In gratitude,
Nelcha
Posted by Bill Langton on November 2, 2006 at 3:27 PM
Nelcha...
I utilize a paper source that is slightly larger than the printed image. Then I can sign, date and add limited edition info, etc to the white border, outside the visible print area.
Hope this helps...
Bill
Posted by David Senesac on November 4, 2006 at 9:53 PM
Hi Nelcha,
I sell only unmounted, unmatted rolled prints in shipping tubes. I have considerable exacting information on my website about what I do you are free to look it. I decided to give comprehensive details up front on my website because selling prints only is not something either other photographers or most of the public is familiar with. Thus I felt a need to have any mysteries removed in case potential customers had reservations. Especially since large prints can easily be damaged by mishandling. ...David
Posted by Nelcha Cross on November 6, 2006 at 2:10 AM
Thank You Bill.....yes, this is what I now plan to do with the info I want visible
on the front of the image once it is matted.
Thank You for your reply David..... I have spent about an hour now reading your website and I still do not see an answer to my question. Once your image is framed....all of the info you put around the edge of the print is under the mat and ...HOW can someone tell Joe Smith that likes your print your phone number, address or URL to contact you? If you do not have that displayed so that it is visible after the image has been matted and framed, how do you expect people to remember the info to pass it on?? This is MY question??
I know many people that do NOT even have computers or want to use them, BUT they do see work on a friend's wall and might want to call or write the photog.......as I have had happen in the past.....
Having a website is good to have, but should NOT be the only thing we count on for
possible customers to be able to find our contact information...
If you answered this somewhere on your site, please let me know "what page" so I can quickly
go to that page and read it......I truly appreciate you taking the time to make a reply to me,
but please appreciate my time and not make me hunt thru your entire site for
the answer to a simple question...I also have much to do.....
Sorry if I sound frustrated.....but so far I have not heard or read an answer to my question???
And I KNOW someone has come up with an answer to this.....
I guess I will email other PROs that I know....
I have visited several art galleries and museums and I have yet to see contact information of any sort on the front of the image. The most that you get to see is the artist's signature and a print/edition number. In some cases the image title is on the front but that's about it. In general, I believe that putting anything more is distracting and steals from the overall impact of the image (makes it more akin to a poster than a fine-art print). So what I do is put down all the information I want to on the back of the print (in pencil and around the border as Bill mentioned). I then add a certificate-of-authencity that documents the print within the edition and another information sheet telling how the print was made (capture process, printing methodology, description on limited-variant-editions, etc). Finally, I also include a printed label (with image title, number, contact information, etc.) that the customer can place on the back of the framed piece, whenever he/she wants to get the loose print matted/framed. The only thing I have on the front (again in the white space just below the actual image area) is the print number (x/y) on the left corner and my signature on the right corner - this is done with a #2 pencil.
Aside from this there really isn't much one can do. I don't see a need to be too worried about this. Based on what I have listed above, I have had several repeat sales from visitors of folks who have hung my prints in their homes. They have always managed to get my contact information (from the documention I include with my prints) and have reached me with no big effort. I find that folks who collect my prints generally ensure that they keep the supporting documentation safely.
Hope this helps.
Regards.
Posted by Nelcha Cross on November 6, 2006 at 3:06 PM
Bless you Anil....
I guess it was too simple for me to think of....
Sometimes I find that I am good with complicated things but difficult with simple things...
YES, duh....besides giving them the Certificate with info along with the print....
Givew them the label to put on the back once it is framed!!!!
That was too simple....I guess I've just had too many folks forget to do things like that.
But if everything is packaged and presented properly that should be the best way.
Tahnk YOU , Thank You, Thank You....
No, I did not want to put anything more distracting on the fron that could be seen...
I understand that.....
I was just freaking cuz I was losing the ability to put my label with contact info
on the back of MY prematted image,....and NOW this was if I keep the Cert. & label "together"
and literally tell them where to stick it....then the coontact info will be there
if someone wants to look on the back of the framed print.
Thank you to everyone that has replied.....
and has endured and persisted during my frustration period...
It is sometimes so hard to communicate even when we speak the same language
but can't hear the inflections in the voice with the written word....
and my mom always says I could not commmunicate if anyone tired my hands.. .
and you can't see me talking....(teehee) so thank you all for your persistence...
May you all have a wonderful week & month!!!
Discussion
12 repliesI would put out to a group that I respect for an solution.
In the past any prints I have sold have been matted only or
matted and framed...
I am finding that since costs are going up
and many customers are getting cheaper....
and as many of you know matting and framing is NOT cheap....
I am finding that many PROs are just now selling their prints only....So my question is....
"Where and How" are they putting their © on it
and their contact info??
I use to sign the mat after I would have the image drymounted
so it wouldn't buckle...under the over mat...
and I would put all of my contact info on the
back of the mounted mat..
If they are selling JUST the print...
how are they doing all of this now???
Are there Archival labels you can put on the back of an image??
I do eveything archival only...so any and all archival advise
would be greatly apreciated.
In gratitude,
Nelcha
When I sell prints that are unmatted, I use either a extra fine point Sharpie or a metallic pen, depending on the color of the print in the lower right corner and sign the print. I do not put a © on the print itself, rather I give each customer a printed sheet that states my rights (copyright) and their rights/limitations for use of the print. I also include tips for mounting, matting, framing and care. For shipping, I place the print in a "clear bag" (with a piece of tissue covering the face) then attach the bag to a piece of heavy cardboard. I then place another piece of cardboard on top of the print and use a few pieces of tape to hold the whole assembly together. So far, I have received no complaints about damaged prints.
I would be really leery of attaching anything to the back of a print. The glue (archival or not)may affect the paper and worse, may show an outline on the face of the print if it is matted or mounted. I do ensure that my customer has my contact info. It is on the sheet I give them and on the "paid" invoice that I send to them.
This system seems to work for me and poses less of a risk to a fine print.
-PB
I am REALLY concerned about the paper NOT staying with the image though
and the contact info etc. will be lost....
I have had this happen B4....that's why I started putting it on the back of the matted print.
I'm not sure of the Archivability of the Sharpie...I think there is another pen that is safer...
I'll look for the name and report it when I locate the safe place that I put it
I would include all of that other info on the receipt anyway...
and I already have some info about display art on my website, which I am in the middle of re-doing....
I just know how easy it is for pieces of paper to get separated....
you think you put it in a safe place...that was logical......and then....
Maybe someone else out there has heard of or is usng another method....
Thanks for your response....
In gratitude,
Nelcha
Scott
Now are there ay archival labels or other safe way of including your contact info
besides a separate piece of paper??
Anyone know any other Pros that they can ask???
What's the "norm" out there now???
All ideas welcome....
include links if you see something....
I think you are missing my point a bit....
In the past I have purchased images and cards from photogs and then
later wanted to tell someone about them or get something new from them
and if their contact info isn't listed I have NO way of contacting them or
passing on their info....Since "word of mouth" is some of the best advertising
I would like to be able to not make this same mistake.....
Maybe this isn't a concern for you, but obviously it is for me or I wouldn't have made the post.
Telling me "not to worryabout it" is not exactly a constructive response.
Please be considerate of those that don't have books yet or aren't as established as you obviously are.
If someone is looking at a print on someone's home on the wall they obviously can't see
your bookmarks, cards, books, etc...whomever the photog is...
I am happy for you in your success, but this ia a contact issue for those of us that HAVE been frustrated trying to contact no "info photogs" and I don't want to be one of them...
I would hope that since you probably weren't born "established"
you would be a little more understanding of someone asking this type of question....
BTW, I do..."let them go", the minute the creative process is done....
..............I just want them to be able to contact me later if they choose to
In gratitude,
Nelcha
I utilize a paper source that is slightly larger than the printed image. Then I can sign, date and add limited edition info, etc to the white border, outside the visible print area.
Hope this helps...
Bill
I sell only unmounted, unmatted rolled prints in shipping tubes. I have considerable exacting information on my website about what I do you are free to look it. I decided to give comprehensive details up front on my website because selling prints only is not something either other photographers or most of the public is familiar with. Thus I felt a need to have any mysteries removed in case potential customers had reservations. Especially since large prints can easily be damaged by mishandling. ...David
on the front of the image once it is matted.
Thank You for your reply David..... I have spent about an hour now reading your website and I still do not see an answer to my question. Once your image is framed....all of the info you put around the edge of the print is under the mat and ...HOW can someone tell Joe Smith that likes your print your phone number, address or URL to contact you? If you do not have that displayed so that it is visible after the image has been matted and framed, how do you expect people to remember the info to pass it on?? This is MY question??
I know many people that do NOT even have computers or want to use them, BUT they do see work on a friend's wall and might want to call or write the photog.......as I have had happen in the past.....
Having a website is good to have, but should NOT be the only thing we count on for
possible customers to be able to find our contact information...
If you answered this somewhere on your site, please let me know "what page" so I can quickly
go to that page and read it......I truly appreciate you taking the time to make a reply to me,
but please appreciate my time and not make me hunt thru your entire site for
the answer to a simple question...I also have much to do.....
Sorry if I sound frustrated.....but so far I have not heard or read an answer to my question???
And I KNOW someone has come up with an answer to this.....
I guess I will email other PROs that I know....
In gratitude,
Nelcha
I have visited several art galleries and museums and I have yet to see contact information of any sort on the front of the image. The most that you get to see is the artist's signature and a print/edition number. In some cases the image title is on the front but that's about it. In general, I believe that putting anything more is distracting and steals from the overall impact of the image (makes it more akin to a poster than a fine-art print). So what I do is put down all the information I want to on the back of the print (in pencil and around the border as Bill mentioned). I then add a certificate-of-authencity that documents the print within the edition and another information sheet telling how the print was made (capture process, printing methodology, description on limited-variant-editions, etc). Finally, I also include a printed label (with image title, number, contact information, etc.) that the customer can place on the back of the framed piece, whenever he/she wants to get the loose print matted/framed. The only thing I have on the front (again in the white space just below the actual image area) is the print number (x/y) on the left corner and my signature on the right corner - this is done with a #2 pencil.
Aside from this there really isn't much one can do. I don't see a need to be too worried about this. Based on what I have listed above, I have had several repeat sales from visitors of folks who have hung my prints in their homes. They have always managed to get my contact information (from the documention I include with my prints) and have reached me with no big effort. I find that folks who collect my prints generally ensure that they keep the supporting documentation safely.
Hope this helps.
Regards.
I guess it was too simple for me to think of....
Sometimes I find that I am good with complicated things but difficult with simple things...
YES, duh....besides giving them the Certificate with info along with the print....
Givew them the label to put on the back once it is framed!!!!
That was too simple....I guess I've just had too many folks forget to do things like that.
But if everything is packaged and presented properly that should be the best way.
Tahnk YOU , Thank You, Thank You....
No, I did not want to put anything more distracting on the fron that could be seen...
I understand that.....
I was just freaking cuz I was losing the ability to put my label with contact info
on the back of MY prematted image,....and NOW this was if I keep the Cert. & label "together"
and literally tell them where to stick it....then the coontact info will be there
if someone wants to look on the back of the framed print.
Thank you to everyone that has replied.....
and has endured and persisted during my frustration period...
It is sometimes so hard to communicate even when we speak the same language
but can't hear the inflections in the voice with the written word....
and my mom always says I could not commmunicate if anyone tired my hands.. .
and you can't see me talking....(teehee) so thank you all for your persistence...
May you all have a wonderful week & month!!!
with MUCH gratitude,
Nelcha