Signing your prints: Where and with what? Visible or not?

[Donald]

This question is addressed to those who do print their work and sign it.

I have no pretensions of being a sought after artist whose signed work will be worth thousands in a few years time. However, I am printing for sale and do have a new gallery that's started up offering my stuff for sale on its website and in which I will have a small exhibition later this year.

The gallery owner is telling me that I must sign my prints.

It's something I've often thought about, but ignorance of how to do it has stopped me. Time to correct.

I am aware that some people sign so that the signature is visible when the print is mounted and framed. Some people sign on the mount. Some say that signing on the back of the print (which will then not be visible) serves the same purpose. You just sell it as a signed print.

The there is the question of what do you use to sign. Soft pencil is less likely to damage the print, but it could be removed. Ballpoint pen seems to be about the worst option. So, what do people use.

I'd love to hear from anyone with answers and/or ideas about these questions and any others that I haven't thought about relating to this question of signing your work.

[Shadowman]

I would do it digitally, that way you can move it to wherever the client wants it.

[Mike Buckley]

I have several signed prints by master photographers and I like the practice of those who signed on the paper just below the bottom of the image. This practice gives me the choice of framing the photo to display the signature or not.

[Manfred M]

A digital signature is not a signature at all. Sign it on the border (any frameable print should have a generous border so that the framer has something to work with. Also add the series number (1 of 10). All the ones I have seen were signed in pencil.

[Shadowman]

A digital signature is not a signature at all. Sign it on the border (any frameable print should have a generous border so that the framer has something to work with. Also add the series number (1 of 10). All the ones I have seen were signed in pencil.

Have you seen what counts as a real signature after someone has signed over 1000, more like a scribble. At least with a digital signature it would look the same every time.

[Mike Buckley]

Also add the series number (1 of 10).

That applies only if the photographer is limiting the number of prints to be made.

All the ones I have seen were signed in pencil.

I have prints by master photographers pre-1950. Some are signed in pencil and some are signed in ink.

[IzzieK]

Good question. I do not sign my prints at all at the front. I do it at the back as I only give them to friends if they saw my shots and ask. I use pencil.

[James G]

I have never bothered to sign my prints, much the same as Izzie, they go to friends and family.

All the prints I have seen have been signed using pencil. If you prefer your signature to be crisp I'd suggest a pencil on the soft side of HB. As regards 'placement', I quite like to see a signature under the print. I'd guess that removing a signature made with a softer lead would always be noticeable, especially if you position it relatively close to a printed edge to inhibit someone cropping it away.

[Shadowman]

If positioning is an issue regarding presentation and the only reason for the signature is authentication then why not do so on the backside. Link has some good points on the subject, however nothing is set in stone. Get it, that was a pun.

http://www.artbusiness.com/signart.html

[Donald]

Thank you all. That's helpful. And thanks for that link, John.

[Loose Canon]

They make acid free, lead free, weatherproof ink pens Donald in differing points and these markers are what you need. Fine point, medium point, etc. In assorted colors, which is good depending on the area you are signing. Make sure they are good quality.

Probably an assortment of these (various colors) and after you determine which point you prefer.

Make sure the pen is a smooth writer so you don’t gaff a signature! Practice with it on the prints. Different papers/mediums/finishes will feel different when writing on them.

Google will get you there.

I might add that the type of photography I usually do is not conducive to a signature, but I have been asked to sign one from time to time and will do so on request.

[William W]

Signing: I use an Artline 999 either Gold or Silver depending what looks the better. Bottom right hand corner and I include the year (e.g. 2017) after my signature. My signature is legible, what I mean is I use cursive writing and it can be read. Silver looks fantastic, yet not intrusive on a B&W Print. Sometimes I have signed on bottom left hand side if signing at the bottom right would be intrusive.

Identification Marking - I use a soft (4B) pencil on the back of the print to supply a job or reference number.

I have never produce a run of prints for sale and I don't intend to do that, but if I did I would sign each one as per above, and also make a note of the individual number on the back of the print, i.e "This is print seven of twenty only prints" and sign that notation too. I would use words, not numbers. have to be careful what yo use for that if you do not choose to use not a soft pencil.

The latter comment about never producing a run of prints, etc, is much because I've make a truckload of portraits and by comparison very few Landscapes and as I recall, I have only signed one landscape picture. If you intend selling a limited run of prints, it is wise to number them: I think that signing that notation is also wise.

WW

[Mike Buckley]

I use cursive writing and it can be read.

That brings up the interesting point that children in America were no longer being taught how to read or write in cursive at least ten years ago. I suspect that trend has been taking place throughout the world thanks to the pervasive use of computers.

If you intend selling a limited run of prints, it is wise to number them

Agreed. That's because as the number of unsold prints dwindles, the photographer can sell them at higher and higher prices.

[William W]

Addendum -

I think that a 'digital' signature is useful in circumstances where the image file will be used in publication, for example this montage captured the story of a record-breaking swim, and it appeared in several publications, some of which tended to 'forget' to add the Photographer's by-line:



however there were 5 Prints made and I signed each of those, as I described above.

WW

[William W]

Aside:

That brings up the interesting point that children in America were no longer being taught how to read or write in cursive at least ten years ago. I suspect that trend has been taking place throughout the world thanks to the pervasive use of computers

For several years (at least ten) I have been involved in the monitoring of tests for entrance to USA Colleges (Universities). As you are probably aware, I reside in Sydney.

These tests are exceptionally prescriptive apropos the aural directions the students receive from the Moderator and at more than one point in the process the students used to be specifically requested to "now sign that statement using cursive writing - DO NOT PRINT".

Last year, or the year before that instruction was changed to "now sign that statement using your legal signature".

When the phrase "cursive writing" was used, there was nearly always an inquiry as to what the phrase meant or a request to print, because the student simply did not know how to make cursive writing.

The composition of students were about 10% expat USA; 20% expat Asian and 70% residents - the lack of cursive writing skills were no greater or less in any one group as far as I could tell.

As far as I can glean, in AUS, much depends on the late Infants School (age approx 7~8) and the Primary School (age 9 to 12 approx) and whether or not the school chooses to educate and develop cursive writing skills. That's my opinion, not fact - I am knowledgeable of the High School Curriculum, but by then the students simply can, or cannot write effectively/quickly precisely/legibly etc . . .

Interesting.

WW

[ccphoto]

I do like Ansel Adams did...I sign the mat. and include a printed certificate of authenticity if it is a numbered image.

[Donald]

Thank you for all the added comments.

I think the point Bill makes is very important.

My signature is legible, what I mean is I use cursive writing and it can be read. W

I read an article in which the person said that they developed a new signature for signing prints. Like me they had worked in a busy office environment and had developed a signature written at speed that was illegible. But on a print people need to be able to read it so that they can identify you.

So I too have been practicing a signature that is legible and will use this.

[DavidPavlich]

Signing: I use an Artline 999 either Gold or Silver depending what looks the better. Bottom right hand corner and I include the year (e.g. 2017) after my signature. My signature is legible, what I mean is I use cursive writing and it can be read. Silver looks fantastic, yet not intrusive on a B&W Print. Sometimes I have signed on bottom left hand side if signing at the bottom right would be intrusive.

Identification Marking - I use a soft (4B) pencil on the back of the print to supply a job or reference number.

WW

I know a couple of guys that sign their prints with the pen mentioned above, both in gold. Looks quite nice so I was thinking of getting myself one. I've been signing the backs with pencil.

David