Posted by Peter Conway on July 19, 2008 at 12:18 PM
I know that there must be an easy way to put a real signature (or an image of a real signature) onto a photo. I have just been using a font but would like to actually have my signature.
What is the best way to do it? How does one place it and size it for each individual photo?
Does it still look good when sized up and down for printing?
Peter - I've never done this, but I'd guess the easiest say (assuming you have access to a scanner) would be to scan a signature at fairly good resolution and make it a jpg. Then it could be used in PS and the colors could be made whatever you want them to be.
If in PS you increase the contrast on it, you should probably get nothing but black or white pixels. You could select the white, and make it transparent, then make the signature whatever color you wanted to. If it's at decent resolution, it should up and down size OK I would think. Or you could use the jpg with just black and white to make a custom brush. Then you could just stamp your signature at any size wherever you wanted to with a single click.
There is a much better way - just use a Wacom pen and tablet. In Photoshop create a new layer, then select a color, and a hard-edge brush at 100% opacity and flow, then simply write your signature. If you mess it up go back and start all over again, as many times as you like. Do a free transform (command/control "T") and you will be able to resize, rotate, and move the sig anywhere you want to. When you have made your print simply delete that layer - next time you need to print it, create a new layer and a new signature - that way you will can honestly say that each print has an original signature in ink - because it is! And as a bonus, since the signature is the same ink as the photo itself, the signature will last as long as the image - can't say that with any of the so-called fade-proof markers (they will all fade eventually - some a lot quicker than others).
Be aware that if you use your real signature you could be inviting identity theft. Several of my clients no longer use their actual signatures on their web sites because of that reason.
If you are talking about just for prints I wouldn't worry, but for posting on the web I would highly recommend against it.
Another way is to scan your actual signature on a flat bed scanner. Bring the image into Photoshop and use the Magic Wand tool to select the signature (make sure Contiguous is unchecked in the Option Bar).
Once you have this selection go to Edit>Define Brush Preset. Name the brush whatever you want.
Now you have a scalable signature brush that you can make any color you like.
Posted by Peter Conway on July 22, 2008 at 12:22 AM
Care to share what you decided on Peter? Is it something not mentioned here?
Posted by Peter Conway on July 22, 2008 at 9:10 AM
Oh sorry, I did not mean to sound mysterious.
I used the method Rod Barbee suggested. I am not the most computer savvy guy and that seemed the easiest to me. It works pretty slick once I figured out that I could use "define edge" after the magic wand and increase the width of my printed signature strokes so that they showed up better when I used the brush tool to "sign" a print.
I don't have to worry about Lia's concern as I am just printing my name in my handwriting rather than using my real signature which is not legible. My handwriting is so bad that even a printed signature is not very good but at least it's mine.
This is such a great forum as everyone is so helpful!!
Discussion
8 repliesWhat is the best way to do it? How does one place it and size it for each individual photo?
Does it still look good when sized up and down for printing?
Thanks in advance.
Peter
If in PS you increase the contrast on it, you should probably get nothing but black or white pixels. You could select the white, and make it transparent, then make the signature whatever color you wanted to. If it's at decent resolution, it should up and down size OK I would think. Or you could use the jpg with just black and white to make a custom brush. Then you could just stamp your signature at any size wherever you wanted to with a single click.
There is a much better way - just use a Wacom pen and tablet. In Photoshop create a new layer, then select a color, and a hard-edge brush at 100% opacity and flow, then simply write your signature. If you mess it up go back and start all over again, as many times as you like. Do a free transform (command/control "T") and you will be able to resize, rotate, and move the sig anywhere you want to. When you have made your print simply delete that layer - next time you need to print it, create a new layer and a new signature - that way you will can honestly say that each print has an original signature in ink - because it is! And as a bonus, since the signature is the same ink as the photo itself, the signature will last as long as the image - can't say that with any of the so-called fade-proof markers (they will all fade eventually - some a lot quicker than others).
Be aware that if you use your real signature you could be inviting identity theft. Several of my clients no longer use their actual signatures on their web sites because of that reason.
If you are talking about just for prints I wouldn't worry, but for posting on the web I would highly recommend against it.
Once you have this selection go to Edit>Define Brush Preset. Name the brush whatever you want.
Now you have a scalable signature brush that you can make any color you like.
Peter
I used the method Rod Barbee suggested. I am not the most computer savvy guy and that seemed the easiest to me. It works pretty slick once I figured out that I could use "define edge" after the magic wand and increase the width of my printed signature strokes so that they showed up better when I used the brush tool to "sign" a print.
I don't have to worry about Lia's concern as I am just printing my name in my handwriting rather than using my real signature which is not legible. My handwriting is so bad that even a printed signature is not very good but at least it's mine.
This is such a great forum as everyone is so helpful!!
Peter