Watermarking a print?

Do you watermark prints? Does it look alright?

My coworker asked me to do a shot so he could print it for his gf's birthday. I have no problem doing this favor for them but it would be nice to still... attach my name to it.

Would it be a bad idea to watermark it? Any other input/ideas?

You could tag the frame, instead, assuming it will be framed. There's no need to watermark the image, it's not like people are going to scan the print so they can crop your name off.

matte the photo and put your name small on the matte.

Alternatively, if this is just going to have a simple frame or no frame, you can create a simple frame in your software and put a non-intrusive name or logo in the bottom of the frame.

To me, for a personal event I'd avoid an obnoxious watermark.

I wish I had nicer writing... I never want to sign my work since my writing is so ugly it makes things look bad! lol

kaitlyn2004 wrote in post #11548756
I wish I had nicer writing... I never want to sign my work since my writing is so ugly it makes things look bad! lol

You can write your name on the photo using your computer's fonts. But in order to do such you have to reduce the size of the image to the right proportion, and then use PSE, or any of the PhotoShop applications that include text tools. For example, I always post images that have been down-sized to perhaps 850 pixels on the long side. This show in a size of perhaps 7" x 5" or maybe 10x8" on my 21" screen (example below). I will explain how I do it using PhotoShop CS5:

a. Since my images are very large in size and are in TIFF format, I choose "Image Size" in CS5 and reduce the size to 850 pixels on the long side (CS5 reduces the other side automatically). But before I go ahead and click "OK" to reduce the size of the image, I choose "Bicubic" on the sizing window, and also check-mark "Scale Styles, Constrain Proportions" and "Resample Image." Then I click on "OK." The large image turns very small on my computer screen, but still in TIFF format.

b. Now I look at the bottom edge of the CS5 window and place the text tool on the image size, which is shown in percentage (something like this: 33.0%), and change the "33.0%" to 100%. Now the sized image shows at 100% on the screen, and this is the size that you can see in my example below.

c. Now I place and then "click" the text tool (the little I-beam icon) any where on the photo. The next step is to choose whichever font I want to use to write my name on the photo, but one that's not too large. For example, the one below is size 6.

d. Now I just type my name on the photo, and then save the photo as follows: I choose "Save For Web Devices" in CS5, and save the photo to JPEG format. But when I am quitting CS5 or just closing the window and CS5 asks me to save the changes to the original image, I click on 'Don't Save Changes" because I don't want to change the original photo, and I just changed a copy of the original photo.

You can also create a logo, save it somewhere on your hard drive, and then place this logo on your photos. By the way, I apologize for trying to explain things as simple as possible (it may sound too simple), and that's not what I intended.

Here is the example I mentioned above:

^--- umm thanks but it's not exactly addressing what I asked. I am well aware of how to put a watermark on a photograph...

https://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthre​ad.php?t=978634

Thanks anyways I guess?

I would not watermark a print that was paid for. I don't think a client would like that.

YankeeMom wrote in post #11549048
I would not watermark a print that was paid for. I don't think a client would like that.

I'm doing it as a favor for a coworker, as I mentioned. AKA free...

Some watermarks look fine, and if you want to include them on your photos, I see no reasons why you shouldn't. This person likes watermarking his photos:
http://www.brighthub.c​om …raphy/articles/​12802.aspx

Rafromak wrote in post #11549194
Some watermarks look fine, and if you want to include them on your photos, I see no reasons why you shouldn't. This person likes watermarking his photos:
http://www.brighthub.c​om …raphy/articles/​12802.aspx

That person makes no mention about the watermarks existing on the PRINTS that I see...

While I guess, technically, the image above (Rafromak) may have a "Watermark", I think of that as much more of simple company/person recognition. I think of a "watermark" as being much more obtrusive means for someone not to copy your images, such as:

It would depend on the point of the print. Not if it was paid for or free.

If the transaction was a sale. Weather actually paid or a freeby to a friend, then I would not sign or watermark it. But if it is to be hung somewhere as a promotional piece... Dr office, coffeeshop...etc...etc​. Then I would have a noticeable watermark in one of the corners.

Thanks for input everyone. Going to skip on any watermark!

I think you made a wise choice. Whether it is a favor or a sale the use of the print is the same in the end, you were the one that decided not to charge for it. On anything large, say 16x20 or larger I sign by hand in gold foil but other than that I only put a sticker on the back of the print. They paid (or were given the print) and I don't see the necessity to have the photographers name splashed on something I may hang on one of my walls.