Unclehoss

When any of you sign a print that you have made, what kind of pen do you use? Is there something I should look for that is specifically archival safe so that it does not fade the image over time?

E.L.. Shapiro Loc: Ottawa, Ontario Canada

Over the years,I have always used INDIA INK. I use an old fashioned pen and nib. It's a bit painstaking, cleaning the pen etc but it is extremely permanent and looks elegant. I have 4 color ins stock; black, white and metallic gold and silver.

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

I don't sign the print. I sign the matte with a Sharpie fine point.
--Bob

rgrenaderphoto Loc: Hollywood, CA

Find acid free ink pens at an Artist's supply store. My favorites are Micron or Papermate Liquid Flair

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

I use Sakura archival gel pens. Uniball also has archival. Be careful of so called "acid free" pens - they may use a buffer than can leach out and damage a print. Like EL - I used to use India ink, which also did not damage photo emulsions.

I would never sign a mat board - it is not part of the print and a person can remove it and re-mat the print. If you don't want to sign in the area of the print - make the print on a larger piece of paper with a wide border on each side and the top, and a wider border on the bottom. Sign the print in the wider border. This way the signature is on the print. If the person wants to re-mat the print, they can do that but the signature will still be on the print, unless they trim it. In any case, if your work is in demand, you should be including a certificate of authenticity with the print in any case. I stopped signing my prints - no one to my knowledge is actually collecting them, except for two collectors - and I do sign my prints for them.

Blair Shaw Jr Loc: Dunnellon,Florida

I don't copyright or sign my work generally. I simply share or give the file to whomever wants or needs it. And if they request a signature , I sign it on the back of the print with a water soluble gel writer that won't bleed through from behind the matted piece, especially if it has an accompanying message as well.
An ordinary pencil also works well for me.......red is a favorite color I like.
I am not sure if that is an acceptable method with the forum but it's what I do if need-be. I've done so few and have not had any complaints to date.

BenC3

Archival/museum practices on rag papers, sign in pencil.

Unclehoss

Thank you all for suggestions. All have been useful, I am not in demand other than friends who are relocating and have expressed interest in an image or two.

dandev Loc: Enumclaw, WA

Pen-Touch. I use Silver

spaceytracey Loc: East Glacier Park, MT

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TonyBot

Don't use a Sharpie - it is a dye type ink and will soak into the print and maybe even bleed - but at least it will fade pretty quickly.

I use Precision Pen or Spectrum Noir brands. Archival and pigment style. Since they *sit on top* of the paper/coating, archival inks (including India Ink) will need to dry for at least several minutes or they will smear.

Of course, if you're matting the print, *pencil* is the accepted method on the lower right of the mat. You may wish to also sign the print where it won't be seen when matted.

Jaki

Hi, in Lightroom I use the signature from there on all my photos in bottom right corner. It’s cursive and looks sharp!

rcarol