Signature Placement if Making Prints

Do you consider the placement of your signature on your original work?

Some artist feel the signature distracts from the work and sign in back or on the side of the canvas. I have seen a signature on stretcher bar to a customer’s dismay when having it re-stretched.

If you are going to start selling prints of your artwork and want the signature to show on the prints you need to place it so there is no issue with cropping.  Many artist go for the very edge of their work.  When making prints it can become an issue.  So try to get in the habit of leaving some room below and to the side of your signature.

But I have previous work with the signature flushed to edge…

Though this is often the case, many artists once they have their artwork digitized, go into Photoshop and copy their signature and make it a transparent layer.  They then touch up the layer with their work where the signature once laid. The last thing to do is just take the signature layer and re-position to give room for cropping.

Individually Signed

Another nice personal touch to prints is the artist has no signature on the print but actually hand signs each one.  This is a nice touch if you have your own retail store or sell at pop-up / booth events.  However, if you are doing drop shipping this is not as easy to get together.  

You could mail a certificate of authenticity with your signature on the certificate. Maybe include a “thank you” note with some images of more of your art.  Soft sell to follow up with a thank you and here is a few more images you may like without pushing the next sell.

Signature is part of personalizing your art print and cultivating the collector.

Links

Embedded Signatures for Prints

Where to Sign and Number Your Prints

How to Create a Certificate of Authenticity