Signing Prints - DPChallenge Forums

Sony 24-70mm F4 Vario-Tessar T* FE OSS

01/22/2005 10:55:42 AM · #1

How do you guys sign and label your prints? I don't know what I can use that is safe for the print. I've seen some Sharpies that say "acid-free" but not all of them say that. Black doesn't usually show up well and I'd prefer a fine point.

I would also like to indicate on the back of the image the title, location, copyright, my name, phone, or whatever. I'm not sure address labels are safe/acid free. Any suggestions?

Also, when you add all the pretty borders in your editing software is that just for web display or do you (even sometimes) print your images with the borders and/or titles? I'm wondering how that looks with a real mat around it.

Thanks, once again, for your help!

Jen

Bear_Music

Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra

01/22/2005 11:03:32 AM · #2

As far as I'm concerned, the only viable signature is pencil. Inks fade over time, pencil doesn't.

I never print with titles or borders. I hand-write titles, in pencil, under the image sometimes, usually not. Most of my images are untitled.

No labels or anything on the back.

I sell my work as "art" though; when I was a professional photographer, everything had a label on the back, with image information and contact information, except larger prints that were destined for mounting. The clients preferred it, for one thing, since it made re-ordering easy.

I never, ever print with the photoshop borders; those are just for the web, when I use them at all. In the real world, any print worth its salt will be matted and framed.

Robt.

frisca

Nikon D70

Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.8D

01/22/2005 11:32:23 AM · #3

Originally posted by bear_music:

So you never leave a tiny space around the edge of a photo so that you will not lose any of the print when matting? (Just curious as to what standard practice is)

Bear_Music

Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra

Sony 24-70mm F4 Vario-Tessar T* FE OSS

01/22/2005 11:35:20 AM · #4

I always center my prints in the next larger size paper, to leave room for the framer to work comfortably. I can print 13x19 paper, and never print larger than 12x17 prints, basically. I can print bleeds if I want to, but then how can they be matted and framed properly?

These are archival prints, btw, so not a good idea to "dry mount" them on board.

Robt.

nsbca7

Mattel Barbie Photo Designer Digital Camera

01/22/2005 12:04:11 PM · #5

I use ZIG fine point pens to write the title and my name on the print in very small letters under the image. When matting I leave a 1/4 inch white space around the image. Pencil is one traditional way to sign a print, but does not work well (for me) on Premium Glossy paper. They generally slip as they just don't grab the smooth paper well. The ZIG pens are archival, acid free and they never slip on the smooth surface. The pens come in a fine point down to .005 so the results look clean and professional.

Message edited by author 2005-01-22 12:18:17.

nsbca7

Mattel Barbie Photo Designer Digital Camera

01/22/2005 12:06:42 PM · #6

Some protographers sign on the matting. That never caught wth me.

jmsetzler

Sony Alpha a6000

Sony 16-50mm f/3.5-5.6 E-mount

01/22/2005 12:14:41 PM · #7

I print most of my images with at least a 1/2" white border which gets covered up by the mat. I title and sign my image in the bottom white border area and then cover it with the matting. I then title the mat on the lower left and sign the mat on the lower right.

Blackdog

Canon EOS-20D

Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 EX DG Macro for Canon

01/22/2005 12:27:38 PM · #8

A local shop owner has expressed an interest in buying some prints from me and selling them. They are local views, the ones he is intrested in.

He has asked me to put titles, the location of the shot, onto the prints. He thinks they will generate more interest from local people that way.

Message edited by author 2005-01-22 12:28:09.

Bear_Music

Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra

Sony 24-70mm F4 Vario-Tessar T* FE OSS

01/22/2005 01:40:12 PM · #9

Blackdog,

Many sellers of images that are geared to a "mass market" (i.e. relatively low-priced) actually do title them as you mention, in photoshop. To do it, be sure background color is set at white in toolbar, go to Image / canvas size and increase canvas size by 1/2 inch vertically, setting the arrows so the extra spaces is all on the bottom. Then type your info in a nice font that suits you, size it to fit, and drag it into place with the 4-headed arrow. Type should be black, as a rule.

I've seen this done also with background set to black, canvas size increased 1/16 inch all around, then again with an extra 1/2 inch to bottom, and the type reversed to white or some complementary light color that works with the image.

There are examples in DPC portfolios, maybe one of them will step up with a link, I don't rememebr offhand which photogs have done this. It's VERY common for poster-size prints, where the black background will be quite a bit larger all around.

Robt.

Message edited by author 2005-01-22 13:41:09.

deapee

Kodak V803

Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.8D

01/22/2005 02:00:01 PM · #10

I don't honestly think I could write, print, or sign neat enough to not ruin the photograph.

GeneralE

Canon PowerShot S3 IS

Canon 12x IS USM (S3 IS built-in Lens) -- 36-432mm (35mm EQ)

01/22/2005 02:35:16 PM · #11

Originally posted by bear_music:

Yes, mine are more like "posters" than "fine art prints" and I border/title almost all of them. I also do this for almost all of my personal prints for a couple of reasons: I can crop to get the best photo without regard for the print aspect ratio, and that way I don't have to remember when/where/with whom I took the photo.

My Print Gallery
More bordered pictures at pBase

Message edited by author 2005-01-22 14:39:33.

01/23/2005 10:39:50 AM · #12

Originally posted by bear_music:

Thanks Robert. I have had people ask me to sign their images in the past so that's partly why I was asking. Currently I'm signing the title and name on the mat below the picture.

Originally posted by bear_music:

I sell my work as "art" though; when I was a professional photographer, everything had a label on the back, with image information and contact information, except larger prints that were destined for mounting. The clients preferred it, for one thing, since it made re-ordering easy.

Here's the dumb question of the day... Is there something visually different in the presentation that distinguishes art from photography? (Besides labeling) I mean, if you are selling "art" is there an unwritten rule that says you should sell it this way or that, and if you don't it's considered photography? I'm probably not phrasing this well. Also, if you sell as art, does that mean you should number your pieces and only sell so many? What sizes do you typically sell?

Originally posted by bear_music:

I never, ever print with the photoshop borders; those are just for the web, when I use them at all.

That's what I thought. I don't either but wondered if anyone actually did.

Originally posted by bear_music:

In the real world, any print worth its salt will be matted and framed.

Robt.

I have some just matted and in sleeves and then I have framed pics. So you don't sell any just matted then?

Thanks for all of your help!

01/23/2005 10:41:13 AM · #13

Originally posted by nsbca7:

Thanks! These look perfect. I'll see about getting some.

I've been meaning to start printing with the 1/4 inch around the image so I don't lose anything. I'll have to start doing that.

I use to use glossy for everything but now that I'm starting to sell some things I use matte only.

Thank you.

Message edited by author 2005-01-23 10:42:39.

01/23/2005 10:43:22 AM · #14

Originally posted by jmsetzler:

I really like this idea. Thanks.