Signing Your Prints: I am prepping for my first art show and am getting ready to print numerous canvas prints 16x20s, 12x18s, 8x10s and 6x9s. There will also be some 6x9s and 8x10s...

rrg6481 Loc: USA

I am prepping for my first art show and am getting ready to print numerous canvas prints 16x20s, 12x18s, 8x10s and 6x9s. There will also be some 6x9s and 8x10s printed on lustro and matted. I have noticed on the large grand landscape prints hanging in galleries that the photographer has signed the lower right corner but on "You Tube" postings there are others that sign the back of the print only. I have two questions: 1. Is it more customary to sign the front of a canvas and matted print vs the back and 2. Is it an accepted practice to sign each print digitally with the same signature. I have difficulty signing my name the same way twice because of slight hand spasms during the process of signing and it makes my signature illegible at times. I have read that it is important for ones signature to be legible when signing a work of art. I want to present my work the most professional way. Any help on this subject would be greatly appreciated.

ecobin Loc: Paoli, PA

My response to both questions is yes. There are numerous ways to add a signature in post processing and many Youtube videos showing how for each type of software (CS6, Lightroom, etc.).

rrg6481 Loc: USA

Thanks for your response Elliot....I am aware of how to add the signature digitally but my question is whether it is more customary to personally sign or digitally sign, and whether it is customary to sign the front bottom right or the back with a info sheet. I guess I need more info on the best way to sign canvas and flat prints in general. Thanks for your response

G Brown Loc: Sunny Bognor Regis West Sussex UK

If you are going to struggle signing by hand - you have already decided. Question is now - do you scan your usual signature and use this as a digital marker or use a software type face to create a "signature". As long as its consistent and recognizable there shouldn't be a problem - Are you expecting to be able to charge such a price that your customer is going to be so demanding as to require your physical pain?

rrg6481 Loc: USA

Thanks for your response....I could sign all the prints manually with no physical pain.... its the minor muscle spasms in my hand that interfere with a legible signature. I guess I should sign a few by hand in case I kick the bucket before the show then maybe my kids will get a few more bucks for some of the prints. :) I simply need some feed back on where the best place is to sign the photos and whether or not a digital is acceptable. Thanks again

BHC Loc: Strawberry Valley, JF, USA

rrg6481 wrote:

Thanks for your response....I could sign all the prints manually with no physical pain.... its the minor muscle spasms in my hand that interfere with a legible signature. I guess I should sign a few by hand in case I kick the bucket before the show then maybe my kids will get a few more bucks for some of the prints. :) I simply need some feed back on where the best place is to sign the photos and whether or not a digital is acceptable. Thanks again

Take two ordinary pieces of paper. On one, draw a straight line across the middle of the paper in landscape mode. Once the ink is dry, lay the second sheet on top and, using a fine to medium marking pen (black) sign your name as you normally do, but using giant letters. Is the first one looks wrong, try it again. The line on the second sheet will show through enough to provide a guide. You may have to do this five times or fifty times. If you need to conserve paper, slide the top sheet up and down to get three lines of giant signatures. Once you're satisfied, scan the acceptable signature to an image file (PDF, JPG, TIFF, etc.). Save the file as Signature.??? (whatever format you've used). Put it on a thumb drive. Now you can scale it and add it anywhere you wish - and it's YOUR signature!

georgevedwards Loc: Essex, Maryland.

Sounds good...I have actually done that. I do not see consideration for once you have scanned the signature on a white sheet of paper, the signature file/image also includes the white rectangle of the paper. The first time I tried to transfer the signature it showed as a white rectangle with a signature on it in the corner of my photo. I tried to use the Magic Wand tool to select the background, then click "inverse" under "Selection" to isolate the signature, then use the "Move" tool to transfer it onto the photo image. It almost works, but if you have an enclosed space like in an "O" you have use the "Shift" key to add the inside of the letter to your original selection or else it will still show up as a white background.

Mogul wrote:

Take two ordinary pieces of paper. On one, draw a... (show quote)

ChrisCat Loc: Lawn Guyland, New Yawk

If you are using Photoshop, there's an easier way. Put the signature with its white box on a separate layer. Instead of normal (at the top of the layer dialog box), choose multiply. The white will disappear.

georgevedwards wrote:

Sounds good...I have actually done that. I do not ... (show quote)

Kenneth Pierce Loc: Campbellsville, Kentucky

You all still have not answered the question! My understanding if very limited on this subject, but I have come to the conclusion that a piece of work is yours and that a signature will increase the value of that piece. Most artists sign their work on the front ....very visible. I think that is very acceptable for you. (just my 2 cts worth, can't take it to the bank!)

Picdude Loc: Ohio

I think the true answer to your question depends on just how popular your pictures are in the area you are selling? If your name is really well known in your area then signing them on the front could be a big selling point. However, someone from, say, Iowa who has not heard of you might rather have the signature on the back of the picture.

If you are going to sign them on the front, the process Mogul described could be a big help; however, an actual hand signature would be worth more. If you are signing the back, you may have no recourse but to sign by hand.

yhtomit Loc: Port Land. Oregon

Mogul wrote:

Take two ordinary pieces of paper. On one, draw a... (show quote)

I used this method except I just took a picture with my camera.
I change the color to fit the color scheme of the photo or work of art.Cheers.

EstherP

rrg6481 wrote:

I have noticed on the large grand landscape prints hanging in galleries that the photographer has signed the lower right corner but on "You Tube" postings there are others that sign the back of the print only. I have two questions: 1. Is it more customary to sign the front of a canvas and matted print vs the back and 2. Is it an accepted practice to sign each print digitally with the same signature.

I can only go by what my Dad used to do - and that goes back to B/W print days: Any portrait (many of my Mom, who hated to have her photo taken), he signed with "Foto Kalkman" in pencil, on the lower right.
When printing the portraits, he'd have the borders on the left, right and top the same size, fairly narrow, and the border on the bottom about five times that width. That's where he'd put the signature.
When he matted photos, he'd often sign the mat, also in pencil and on the lower right.
I have a couple of prints by different artists, with numbered certificates (#xx/xxxx), and each and every one has the artist's signature and the series number in the lower right in the white margin, fairly tight against the coloured part.
EstherP

rrg6481 Loc: USA

Thank you all for your honesty and words of wisdom regarding the signature issue I am contemplating. After reading all the posts and more internet research and soul searching I have decided to personally sign all of the pics regardless of the hand spasm difficulty. If I were buying one of my pics or anyone else's I would want a real signature. I think the digital gives it more of a Wall Mart, Target appeal and I don't want to leave that impression. Assuming my pics are worthy of purchase it should be a good show to attend. 20,000 people are expected so I have to think the odds are in my favor of making some sales. Thanks to all of you. Rich

rrg6481 Loc: USA

BTW here is a link to a very simple way to create a digital signature in Photo Shop: http://photofocus.com/2013/05/12/how-to-sign-your-work/

via the lens Loc: Northern California, near Yosemite NP

georgevedwards wrote:

Sounds good...I have actually done that. I do not ... (show quote)

save as a gif...no background