Kevin,
Prints:
If you are using a glossy, semi-gloss or luster paper you should sign below the image with an archival black pen (never sign on the image). If you use a cotton or matte paper then you should use a high quality pencil. Now if you mat the image so you can see where you signed it, then there is no reason to sign the mat.
Mat:
If you like to over mat your prints by the classic 1/8 inch (standard with all pre-cut mats), then you should sign the mat using a high quality pencil.
No matter how you mat the image always sign the print just in case the mat and the print get seperated from each other.
Hope this helps.
Posted by Phillip Noll on October 14, 2008 at 7:44 PM
[on soap box]
I may be in the minority but I respectfully disagree. What is the point in signing the mat or below the image? Is the mat board or paper your work of art? No. The image is your art. Painters sign their paintings so why shouldn't photographers sign their photographs? Would a painter sign the frame? Would a sculptor sign the pedestal? I never understood signing the mat. You didn't create the mat. The mat is not your art. Be proud and sign your art!
[/off soap box]
I always sign on the print (not in the margin, not below the image but ON the image) in the lower right or left hand corner and I use pigment ink pens. I've used black, silver, or gold depending upon the image. There are many pigment ink pens to choose from. Try any art supply store like Dick Blick.
Also, search on this topic as it has been discussed several times over the years.
Posted by Mark Stahlke on October 14, 2008 at 10:02 PM
I agree with Phillip for all the same reasons. Is there room on that soap box for both of us?
I started signing my work on the print because that's what people wanted. I've had several people tell me they're glad I starting doing it.
Be sure to use a good quality archival pen.
Cheers,
Posted by Jesse Speer on October 15, 2008 at 12:03 AM
I'm with Carl, although there really aren't any rules ... and you'll get a dozen different answers (yeah, search the forum archives). Carl's suggestion is one of the classic approaches. But don't fret too much about it. As long as you sign the print somewhere, you're fine. Experiment, and then do what you - or your buyers - find most appealing. It's one of the many choices you have as an artist, IMO.
I use the method Carl describes. But I will typically ask people if they have any signature preferences. Most people don't care, but some really like the image-area sig. I'm happy to do whatever people like. Which means I have an arsenal of pens sitting around.
Definitely visit the local art store. Pick up some pigment-based pens, various weights of graphite pencils and some metallics (which you may have to order online). For metallic pens, I recommend Sakura "Permapaque" pigment pens. Sakura makes good black pens as well.
Posted by Steve Sieren on October 15, 2008 at 12:40 AM
Sakura - Micron 05 is my long time favorite. It's archival pigment ink for acid free enviroments.
People ask me to sign the print when it's sold alone and I don't ever sell anything on glossy paper but it writes on everything else.
Yes, my suggestion is the traditional way, established by all the photographers we consider the masters. It is also the current museum standard for photography.
Think about this, a painter uses the same paint in their painting to sign the painting, a sculpter uses the same tools....so what does a photographer use? The pen or pencil, to me, plays no role in the creation of the art of photography and therefore, doesn't need to be on the image itself. If you really feel strongly about having your name directly on the image then you should put it on the file before printing.
Though with all that said, do whatever you want, it is your work.
Thanks for all the suggestions guys, I will search through the archives to see what else I can find.I think
I would prefer to sign the print, for the idea of it staying with the print, but in the end I will give the buyer the option and do whatever the buyer prefers, I just need to raise some money for this passion of mine...
We don't have much for art supply stores in my area, I will have to look around to see if I can find some pigment pens, and some good pencils.
I feel like I should start practicing my signature, its pretty rough right now..
Posted by Robert Fisher on October 15, 2008 at 8:25 AM
Whenever this subject comes up, on any photography board, it always amazes me how much people get their knickers in a twist over the 'right' way or the 'wrong' way. If some people's sphincters got any tighter they'd turn themselves inside out.
And to continue to add to the melee, think about this: Sign your print/matte/image/border/front/back with a graphic type initials that will forever be yours and identifiable as such where ever it is seen. This also gets around the poor handwriting issue!!! Then, write your name on the back where it will only be seen if one really wants to find you (might want to look into a seal or sticker for that which includes email address, website, and or phone number). I have seen many photographs that where superb, but had really BAD handwriting on them. To me, that kills the image no matter where it is signed. And as stated, this topic has been very well addressed here in the archives.
Discussion
9 repliesI'm wondering what I should use to sign the prints that I sell? I don't want anything that will bleed into the print or leave marks on the glass.
Also, do you prefer to sign the print itself or just the mat?
I'm just starting to sell some of my work and want to do it right.
Thanks,
Kevin
Prints:
If you are using a glossy, semi-gloss or luster paper you should sign below the image with an archival black pen (never sign on the image). If you use a cotton or matte paper then you should use a high quality pencil. Now if you mat the image so you can see where you signed it, then there is no reason to sign the mat.
Mat:
If you like to over mat your prints by the classic 1/8 inch (standard with all pre-cut mats), then you should sign the mat using a high quality pencil.
No matter how you mat the image always sign the print just in case the mat and the print get seperated from each other.
Hope this helps.
I may be in the minority but I respectfully disagree. What is the point in signing the mat or below the image?
[/off soap box]
I always sign on the print (not in the margin, not below the image but ON the image) in the lower right or left hand corner and I use pigment ink pens. I've used black, silver, or gold depending upon the image. There are many pigment ink pens to choose from. Try any art supply store like Dick Blick.
Also, search on this topic as it has been discussed several times over the years.
I started signing my work on the print because that's what people wanted. I've had several people tell me they're glad I starting doing it.
Be sure to use a good quality archival pen.
Cheers,
I use the method Carl describes. But I will typically ask people if they have any signature preferences. Most people don't care, but some really like the image-area sig. I'm happy to do whatever people like. Which means I have an arsenal of pens sitting around.
Definitely visit the local art store. Pick up some pigment-based pens, various weights of graphite pencils and some metallics (which you may have to order online). For metallic pens, I recommend Sakura "Permapaque" pigment pens. Sakura makes good black pens as well.
People ask me to sign the print when it's sold alone and I don't ever sell anything on glossy paper but it writes on everything else.
Think about this, a painter uses the same paint in their painting to sign the painting, a sculpter uses the same tools....so what does a photographer use? The pen or pencil, to me, plays no role in the creation of the art of photography and therefore, doesn't need to be on the image itself. If you really feel strongly about having your name directly on the image then you should put it on the file before printing.
Though with all that said, do whatever you want, it is your work.
Thanks for all the suggestions guys, I will search through the archives to see what else I can find.I think
I would prefer to sign the print, for the idea of it staying with the print, but in the end I will give the buyer the option and do whatever the buyer prefers, I just need to raise some money for this passion of mine...
We don't have much for art supply stores in my area, I will have to look around to see if I can find some pigment pens, and some good pencils.
I feel like I should start practicing my signature, its pretty rough right now..
Troup