Soooo I actually sold a piece of my work yesterday...my very first one...BUT now they would like to have it signed and I'm not sure what I should use to sign it...so I'm turning to you my friends to give me guidance...lol
My brother had a gold leaf stamp that he used on his work. You might ask the customer how and where they would like the autograph. They may want the front signed, and a short comment and date on the back, or just signed on the front or back.
I recently had to work out a logo/autograph to put on tee shirt photos, and plan to use the same logo into the future. It would be good to use something that will be your "trademark" signature, then add a personalized comment on the back if the customer wants that.
If you sign on the front of the image, please ensure that your entire signature/mark is well inside an imaginary 5mm border around your image. This will allow it to be framed without inducing the screaming meemies in the framer who is desperately trying not to cut off the artist's name.
Oh, and.... Woot! Woot! Congratulations! What a wonderful moment for you!
ETA: Nix the previous comment - didn't know it was on canvas! But the comment applies to anyone signing for framing anyway...
I haven't been signing my canvases, except on the back. For matted prints, I've signed the matte itself, in pencil, as advised by the gallery that sold it.
I've been told there are pens for canvas (maybe Gel). Check Dick Blick's site. I may start doing this eventually.
ETA: Did a bit of searching for you (and me). Found this, and this is exactly what someone else told me:
>>>Pentel Sunburst Metallic MED Gel" in the Silver color is visible over any background color including white.
congrats Janine!! Good luck with the signing. I've never had to worry about such things, but I suppose it would be good to choose something that is "you" and will carry over to the next time you do it.
I forgot to mention that it is printed on canvas...so Annie...have you used that before? Fine Point Sharpie???
Yes, I use a fine-point sharpie routinely to sign photos because it works very well on glossy paper. On canvas, you probably have to write slow, to go over the bumps. If they let me, I prefer to sign & date it on the back. Also, as others have mentioned, it's a good idea to have a little graphic you can print along with the photo. I have one I use, sometimes with the date & photo number, sometimes blended into the BG, sometimes 'hard to miss.' Chinese artists use a stamp to sign their work, called a 'chop.' Here's a nice little article on how to create one of your own. Hope this isn't too much information!
Examples
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And, for it's worth repeating, WOOT! Congratulations!! I'm sure there are many more sales in your future, for your work is excellent & it's always inspiring to browse thru your portfolio here. Have you thought about creating a portfolio online, at one of the portfolio sites? Or a blog?
I'd avoid the sharpie. They're not PH balanced and will eventually start to degrade. Pencil is common in the world of print-making-but looks tacky on photographs. I'd look for an archival paint marker myself.
I like signing the back of the print in a soft pencil, like a b5, because it won't bleed into the paper, and signing the matting of the print. That way the print is signed (if it ever becomes valuable, that matters), the signature and any notations ( like the run number) are visible in the frame, but the signature doesn't interrupt the flow of the image.
I love the internet, I was wondering if I could find the old thread that got me thinking about this a few years ago, and there it is.
It's a great feeling to sell your first print, I had the same happen in December. This thread is useful because at the time I was asked to sign it, ended up using pencil. Good to know the tips offered on here. I hope you sell more!
WTG on your sale ... it's beautiful and the first of many I am sure .. I use a metallic silver pen. There are various ones so make sure you get one that doesn't blob .. I would practice a few times before doing the actual signing.
Well, went to the art store...asked there (fat l'good that did)...let me just say "Ya'll are the bomb"....Thank you so much in many, many ways...ya'll know how to make a gal feel real good...
I got the Metallic Gel Pens...3 actually (snicker) 2 @ .8mm and 1 @ .25mm (the clerk at the store didn't know which was bigger...rolls eyes) 2 silver and 1 black...
but I don't know what to "experiment" on to see how they will work...sigh...
So here is my new dilemma...what to print off (canvas) that will fill the space on my wall again...all in the hope that it will develop feet and go home with someone else...lol
