Page 1 of 4 123 ... LastLast
Results 1 to 10 of 34

Thread: How do you sign your prints?

  1. #1
    Milton Tierney's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2008
    Location
    Maryland, southern
    Posts
    176

    How do you sign your prints?

    How do you sign your prints? Lately, I was told by a few photographers and artist to sign the prints not the mats. I’ve always signed the mats with a pencil. All of my work now are scanned and digitally printed so I can add my signature when I make prints. Is this correct or should I still sign the mats?

  2. #2

    Join Date
    Nov 2005
    Location
    Richmond, VA
    Posts
    1,057

    Re: How do you sign your prints?

    I've always signed the mats with a pencil. I find it really helps the value if I sign them Ansel Adams or Edward Weston :-)

  3. #3

    Join Date
    Apr 2005
    Location
    New York City
    Posts
    414

    Re: How do you sign your prints?

    I sign the prints on the face bellow the image area so if someone wants to they can over mat the print to hide the signature or if they want to of they can cut the mat to reveal the signature. I use a fine point marker that uses acid free ink. This is a really good post Milton, I look forward to see other responses. Thanks.

  4. #4

    Join Date
    Oct 2008
    Location
    Southern California
    Posts
    226

    Re: How do you sign your prints?

    I don't "sign" my print (or the mats), but I do put pertinent information, like title, date, and copyright notice in light pencil on the back. I know it can be erased, but its purpose is informational, not legal or egotistical. I do this because I think markings of any kind, other than sublime retouching, detract from the image.

    Just my humble opinion...

    Brian

  5. #5
    Richard M. Coda
    Join Date
    Mar 2001
    Location
    Scottsdale, AZ
    Posts
    973

    Re: How do you sign your prints?

    I think you should expand this question to add "and how do you mount them?" Because that greatly determines how you sign them.
    Photographs by Richard M. Coda
    my blog
    Primordial: 2010 - Photographs of the Arizona Monsoon
    "Speak softly and carry an 8x10"
    "I shoot a HYBRID - Arca/Canham 11x14"

  6. #6
    hacker extraordinaire
    Join Date
    May 2009
    Location
    North Carolina
    Posts
    1,331

    Re: How do you sign your prints?

    Since I don't dry mount normally, sign the white border of the print itself, which I leave a bit bigger at the bottom. If I dry mount, I sign the mount board in the same spot. In both cases the sig could be covered by using an overmat that went right to the image edge.

  7. #7
    Large format foamer! SamReeves's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2006
    Posts
    1,214

    Re: How do you sign your prints?

    Nah, don't sign the prints. That could muck with your washing to keep the print archival.

    Always sign the mat board in pencil as the others have suggested.

  8. #8
    Scott Davis
    Join Date
    May 2002
    Location
    Washington DC
    Posts
    1,875

    Re: How do you sign your prints?

    I usually sign the reverse of the print in pencil, with my name and copyright, the date, the title, and the number in the edition. Usually in the lower-right corner. I title, number, and sign the window mat just below the window, left to right in that order. I sign and indicate on both because I don't dry-mount, and it is entirely possible that they could get separated at some point in the future.

  9. #9
    Glenn Mellen
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Location
    Southlake, Texas
    Posts
    207

    Re: How do you sign your prints?

    I sign prints on the face with an archival ink pen, and also the mat board with pencil. Reason for choosing to sign image and not simply border or mat... if image is reframed later the sig could be covered. On framed prints an informational tag is attached to the back, showing business card, image title and ID number.

  10. #10

    Join Date
    Dec 2009
    Posts
    81

    Re: How do you sign your prints?

    i dont sign or write anything on any of my prints, they are what they are, just copies of reality.

Similar Threads

  1. 2009/2010 Print Exchange Call for Entries !!!
    By darr in forum Announcements
    Replies: 253
    Last Post: 10-Jun-2010, 13:58
  2. Replies: 3
    Last Post: 22-Mar-2007, 14:16
  3. Replies: 18
    Last Post: 28-May-2006, 13:47
  4. Problems with Ilfochrome Prints Processed with Jobo
    By Andre Noble in forum Darkroom: Film, Processing & Printing
    Replies: 20
    Last Post: 1-Jan-2005, 10:36
  5. Mounting Digital Prints to Backing Board
    By chris jordan in forum Digital Hardware
    Replies: 4
    Last Post: 11-Dec-2001, 22:00

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •