That's exactly what I was thinking would work well on canvas Richard. So do you sign the canvas itself? I have been wondering about this as I have only signed the matte next to a paper print in the past and was feeling apprehensive about signing the print directly- but doing this is common? I guess an alternative would be to just sign the dust cover on the back with a sharpie maybe...
Wondering now what I should do about signing printed to aluminum work as well...
That's exactly what I was thinking would work well on canvas Richard. So do you sign the canvas itself? I have been wondering about this as I have only signed the matte next to a paper print in the past and was feeling apprehensive about signing the print directly- but doing this is common? I guess an alternative would be to just sign the dust cover on the back with a sharpie maybe...
Wondering now what I should do about signing printed to aluminum work as well...
I sign canvas and aluminum in the lower right corner, adding Limited edition indication and year of image capture below my signature. 34/200, 2008... for example. On the back of my images, I place an information sheet.... detailing some interesting facts about location and why the image capture was significant to me.
Seriously, I am really thinking hard about how I should sign my prints for sale now. I have to admit I have had feelings of pretentiousness when signing my images, but if signing or not effects the value of my art (I like to call it that anyway) I really ought to figure out how to best approach the matter.
In the past I have mostly sold paper prints and I either signed the back if that is all the customer bought or the lower corner of the mat if the image is framed- meaning if a new frame is used my signature will be gone (and maybe the buyer could care less?).
My cursive signature becomes weird sometimes when the pressure is on to make it look nice so I generally just print my first initial, last name, and year captured. Is it okay to just print my signature? I generally just state the title I have given the image on a price card that gets mounted next to the print.
I need to sign several prints soon and they are all either printed on canvas or glossy on aluminum. I will paste a card with my info on the back of all of them- the title too. I guess I will sign the lower right of the canvas prints with a metallic ink in a color that won't be too conspicuous.
For the glossy aluminum prints, I may have you use something like a "Sharpie" pen?
I actually found this blog post discussing how and when to sign photographic prints. It seems artist's opinions are quite varied...
I had one of my prints at a wedding where everybody was to sign the mat of an engagement picture to be used later for the wedding picture.
Someone shook the marker to get it to write, and silver ink went all over the print.
That can happen if one is careless. There are specific instructions on the pen as to how to shake the pen with lid attached to stir the pigments. The flow of ink is smooth and steady, if one takes care. It's a tool in the hand of the artist.
I had one of my prints at a wedding where everybody was to sign the mat of an engagement picture to be used later for the wedding picture.
Someone shook the marker to get it to write, and silver ink went all over the print.
That can happen if one is careless. There are specific instructions on the pen as to how to shake the pen with lid attached to stir the pigments. The flow of ink is smooth and steady, if one takes care. It's a tool in the hand of the artist.
I haven't looked at the linky here, but how about a Sharpie? They're felt-tipped and thus shouldn't bleed too much. But then the only canvas prints I've been around belong to a client, and somehow I don't think they'd want me scrawling over their wedding pics :-)
I haven't looked at the linky here, but how about a Sharpie? They're felt-tipped and thus shouldn't bleed too much. But then the only canvas prints I've been around belong to a client, and somehow I don't think they'd want me scrawling over their wedding pics :-)
I occasionally use an Extra-fine point black Sharpie. It works on most surfaces, but not all. For signing on aluminum prints or prints covered with glossy laminate, the sharpie would be frustrating. But, the gold or silver art markers work great on the smooth surfaces. One just needs to remember to let the ink dry for a few minutes to prevent smear.
Well I signed about twenty canvas and glossy metal prints recently. I used the DecoColor gold and silver pens that Richard was kind enough to recommend. They worked great on both surfaces. I did some practice signings and determined you can NOT quickly rub off any mistakes before they dry. So I was sweating bullets signing the lot lot as some of the pieces cost literally hundreds to print. But all went fine :)
I'd say have one drink to loosen up a little before signing ;) Definitely put the cap on while shaking the paint pens or you will have a mess. And you can wipe around the sides of the pen tip with paper if you want to ensure the width of the line drawn stays extra fine.
