Print-signing HEEELLLLLP!

I abhor signing photographic prints, mostly because my handwriting is such indecipherable chicken scratch. Unfortunately, print buyers seem to see value in it, so I need to sign a bunch of prints prior to delivering them to a gallery. I bought silver and gold metallic ink pens, and even though they're "extra-fine," they're still too much for smaller prints. Plus, they're so damn unwieldy – the first time I tried one on a test print, I barely depressed the pen tip onto the print to get the ink flowing and it promptly blew its load all over the print, which then ran down onto my nice new coffee table. (Thank goodness for a glass top instead of wood!)

So, you guys and gals who sign your prints, what do you use? I'm about ready to cheat and just make a signature stamp tool in CS5, but I know that wouldn't look good if/when buyers figured it out.

I have a stamp i built in CS5 and then I use it in lightroom. This works great for smaller prints. Larger prints i sign myself.

Hi Todd,

I typically leave some white space around the actual image area (easy to do this since I print myself at home). I then sign on that white border (number on lower left corner and signature on the lower right corner) with a pencil. I dislike using pens for the reasons that you have mentioned above.

I sign my prints to indicate that it was made by me and that I am satisfied with the way it has turned out. What others make of this signature is not my concern.

You're selling prints?

I like-a-the pencil, too!

I use a black photo signature pen by Zig. It's fine tip and works well unless of course the print is all dark on the bottom.

I use Zig photo pens. There is another brand that I have that I can't recall right now. The scrapbook store next to Fat Burger on N. Academy (Keepsakes?) has a selection of colors and sizes.

I generally only sign on the actual image area if it's being plaque mounted. For matted prints I sign the back or border of the image in pencil (sometimes) just so there is something if it gets re-matted. I sign the mat in pencil.

Todd, I actually read an article in some hoity-toity art magazine claiming that fine art photographs should not be signed on the actual print surface. That a white boder around the print was the proper place to sign. Havent really ever checked out the veracity of this, though.
Joe Rogers

I hate signature, even on my own prints, but I do what Jim does with the stamp.

I like the sakura pen in the finest size which you can buy downtown in Colorado Springs at Meiningers. It seems more reliable than the silver gel pens I've used. But I also make sure the ink is flowing on a piece of scrap paper before signing a print.

I like the look of signing on a white boarder around the print, but its not always an option depending on the presentation method.

Mel-

Thanks for all the excellent tips, guys! Kalin, I went up to that scrapbook store and checked out those Zig pens, but settled on Sanford uni-ball gel impact in silver, gold and white, and they work GREAT! They write on prints pretty much like a ballpoint pen would.

I use silver and gold metallic Gelly Roll pens because I like the name

I don't know if you guys know this or if it is a concern, but a lot of those metallic pens are not archival. Check the label if that matters to you. I use a Faber-Castell artists pen. It has a tip like a sharpie so no blochy inks and they are acid free. About $3 at Hobby Lobby.

My Gellys are archival.

I use Gellys also, very reliable and no surprises.

I think you'll find the black pens function better than the golds and silvers. Also, if someone decides to dry mount a print with a silver or gold image the signature will burn.

I thought the more your sig resembled indecipherable chicken scratch the more important of a photog you were...hence the reason you can read mine If I plaque mount a print I incorporate the sig into the print file.

so, im the only one who signs my prints in crayon??

I find this question hard to answer because I have to SELL prints first in order to have something to sign

I sign my prints with a name other than my own.

If not already covered make sure you leave ample room for the Mat. I always sign of the print in the right hand corner leaving at least a 1/2 inch for matting.