Signing Prints

[WorldCountries]

A friend at work wants to buy and frame one of my prints, but she wants me to sign the photo in the bottom right corner and date it.

Does anyone else do this with their prints?

What kind of pen would you use to avoid damaging the print?

It's a SmugMug 10 x 15 print, gloss finish.

Thanks.

[ssim]

I have done this but never with a pen. I buy a special gold or silver foil that you sign on with a hard nibbed pen and it transfers to the image.

I would suggest that you take an expendable print and do some tests with something like a sharpie. You want something that is permanent and that is not going to smudge if it gets wiped.

[WorldCountries]

I have done this but never with a pen. I buy a special gold or silver foil that you sign on with a hard nibbed pen and it transfers to the image.

I would suggest that you take an expendable print and do some tests with something like a sharpie. You want something that is permanent and that is not going to smudge if it gets wiped.

Thanks. I kind of feel badly about even posting that question, because just a few minutes later I decided that because of a hand disease called Deputrin's Disease in my writing hand I would be better off using a digital signature, anyway. Sometimes my hand shakes when the ligaments are hurting, and I could very well ruin a nice print with any kind of pen. It's hard to read at 600 pixels, but in the lower left hand corner I put my initials and the month/year (RM 5/07) in a non-obtusive gray.

I think that's the way I'll do it.

[gbpro1]

I sign every print I sell. I use a pen called ColorSharp Metallics by Rose Art. Its a permanent marker. It is a twin tip marker with a thick end and ultra fine one. I always use the ultra fine tip. It comes in a package with different color markers but I always use the silver one. They dont smudge. Most people want prints signed. It gives them a little more of a gallery or professional look to them. Plus if you ever get famous they will be worth money :) .. What started me signing them is, I sold some to a gallery and they wanted them all signed. Anyway.. Just my 2 cents..

[WorldCountries]

I sign every print I sell. I use a pen called ColorSharp Metallics by Rose Art. Its a permanent marker. It is a twin tip marker with a thick end and ultra fine one. I always use the ultra fine tip. It comes in a package with different color markers but I always use the silver one. They dont smudge. Most people want prints signed. It gives them a little more of a gallery or professional look to them. Plus if you ever get famous they will be worth money :) .. What started me signing them is, I sold some to a gallery and they wanted them all signed. Anyway.. Just my 2 cents..

Do galleries insist on hand signing, or would the digital method I've used above be acceptable? I would not know the first thing about that.

[BradT0517]

I don't sign at the current time mainly because my signature is absolutely dreadful.

[Rubi Jane]

I sign on request and have found a nice pen that looks like a graphite grey pencil when signed on a white border around the print. Pen is the Staedtler triplus fineliner and is "dry safe" as soon as you write. Never had a smudge yet.

[davidtaylorpictures]

I love signing images. It makes me feel as if the buyer cares about the photographer not just the photograph :)

[gbpro1]

Do galleries insist on hand signing, or would the digital method I've used above be acceptable? I would not know the first thing about that.

Galleries want it because it makes it personal and adds that extra artistic look and value. People want to feel like they are buying art, especially at a gallery. You can go buy regular photos at any craft fair. But when people go to a gallery they are spending more money and want it to be special and feel like they are buying art. If you go into any reputable gallery every piece of art in there is signed from sculptures to paintings to photos. I also attach one of my cards to the back as well. But my pictures are always framed and matted. Which I do myself.. I want to make sure they look classy. I also sell to individuals and they always want them signed. Anyone can sell pictures. But Im into this as an art form and I always present my pictures as art and people buy them to display as an art piece. If I am doing portraits for someone or a family type shot, that is the only time I dont sign them.

[WorldCountries]

Galleries want it because it makes it personal and adds that extra artistic look and value. People want to feel like they are buying art, especially at a gallery. You can go buy regular photos at any craft fair. But when people go to a gallery they are spending more money and want it to be special and feel like they are buying art. If you go into any reputable gallery every piece of art in there is signed from sculptures to paintings to photos. I also attach one of my cards to the back as well. But my pictures are always framed and matted. Which I do myself.. I want to make sure they look classy. I also sell to individuals and they always want them signed. Anyone can sell pictures. But Im into this as an art form and I always present my pictures as art and people buy them to display as an art piece. If I am doing portraits for someone or a family type shot, that is the only time I dont sign them.

Well, my sister is a painter, and her advice was to sign the print. "If you can write a check, you can sign your prints!"

So...thanks very much for all the advice on which pens to buy.

I believe I also need to check out some fine art photo galleries and see for myself how these artists present their work.

Thanks again!

[1080iAddict]

I am resurrecting this thread for a follow up question....

If I were to white matte and frame the print, would it be ok to sign on the white matte - or is it industry standard to sign on the actual print itself?

Adam

[inkulio]

I would want my sig on the actual print. That's just me though.

I am resurrecting this thread for a follow up question....

If I were to white matte and frame the print, would it be ok to sign on the white matte - or is it industry standard to sign on the actual print itself?

Adam

[zacker]

another trick i have seen is to Sign a piece of paper, scan it in, remove the BG and stick it on the photo as a layer.. it looks like a hand written sig...because it is, just not hand written on the print.

[studiotime]

I sign every print I sell. I use a pen called ColorSharp Metallics by Rose Art. Its a permanent marker. It is a twin tip marker with a thick end and ultra fine one. I always use the ultra fine tip. It comes in a package with different color markers but I always use the silver one. They dont smudge.

hi :)

i just google'd for this, and couldn't seem to find this 'colorsharp metallics' :(. could you tell me where i might find these (either online or retail)??


thanks! :)