Do you sign your prints?

[MMfoto]

Signing the mat is something that is done to make a sale and not to benefit either the print or the buyer. I'm a picture framer and I suppose I have a little chip about this. For one, if you really have to sign the mat than please sign the back of the print too. If the mat gets water damaged or if the client wants an actually archival mat as opposed to what ends up on a lot of prints, or if they want to change the mat margins to better suit a specific frame or instalation scheme, then at least they have the option. If the mat, and only the mat is signed, then your stuck. Plus I just think it's a little tacky anyway ( sorry I do!).

Personally I don't like to blemish the image with my signature, so I usually sign the back, reverse side of the margin not behind the image. I like 8ply mats and they almost always look best right up to the image anyways, so I usually sign the back.

A really classy option, as people really do like to see the signature, is to print with wide margins. Sign below the image, and cut your mat window to reveal the signature and a little less on the sides and top. This usually looks best with a 4ply. Problem solved.

If you want to get really slick, hinge (book) the backing to the mat at the top edge, preferably with linen tape. Then get those little archival plastic corner pockets that stick to the backing and secure the print. No adhesive and totally secure yet 100% reversable. Someday a picture framer will thank you, as will the client if they ever resell the loose print or reframe it. It won't have tape residue on the back and won't be mounted to anything.

If this sounds tedious or over the top just remember back to all that time you spent hand agitating your fiber prints in the wash and all the selenium fumes you inhaled to secure the future of your work.

 

[jstraw]

A really classy option, as people really do like to see the signature, is to print with wide margins. Sign below the image, and cut your mat window to reveal the signature and a little less on the sides and top. This usually looks best with a 4ply. Problem solved.

If you want to get really slick, hinge (book) the backing to the mat at the top edge, preferably with linen tape. Then get those little archival plastic corner pockets that stick to the backing and secure the print. No adhesive and totally secure yet 100% reversable. Someday a picture framer will thank you, as will the client if they ever resell the loose print or reframe it. It won't have tape residue on the back and won't be mounted to anything.

These two paragraphs describe exactly, the plan that I have formulated.

 

[Jenniferk]

I've noticed tons of photo galleries in the New York City area that are showing famous photographs that have been mounted to a clear 1/8 plexi and framed to show the signature. It's a nifty little idea that shows the quality of paper you chose and your John Hancock - which can be an important factor for serious collectors.

Laminall does a great job with plexi back mounts and their sales team always offers tons of great options for custom mounting and framing.

L2mounting.com
718-947-3426

 

[Maris]

I sign in the lower right white border, title in the lower left white border, and place the photographer's stamp on the back. Also on the back I write all the relevant technical data plus the outline narrative; who, where, what, when, and why.

When I am long gone I want to give the next owner a reason to preserve that photograph. Just because it looks real nice (I think, hope) may not be enough to save it.

 

[Jesper]

I have a stamp with name and contact info that I use on the back along with a signature in pencil.
Nothing on the front.

 

[Christopher Walrath]

I tried a stamp for a while but I initial and date the lower right of my black and white prints on the front in pencil. Not visible but you can see light bouncing from it at an angle to read it.

 

[Trevor Crone]

I sign bottom right in the print margin and title bottom left. I use on of these pens; http://store.falkiners.com/store/product/4019/Zig-Millenium---Black-005BK/ Permanent, very fine tip - 0.05mm, acid free and light fast.

I was asked to sign my prints by a gallery in case the print was ever seperated or needed to be seperated from the mount. The back of the mount is stamped with details of print, portfolio, edition, etc.