Proper Way to Sign Prints?

[dpd]

Can someone explain to me the proper way to sign, number, and date a limited print? My friend and I are in disagreement about this. Do you sign the front or back? And what is the best writing instrument to use?

Thanks,

[bluespade]

Jen:

Why do you sign in pencil? I've thought about using one of those thin archival ink 5 micron pens you can get at art stores. I think I'll also put an archival sticker on the back and print my name and email address (since that is more likely to stay with me than my phone number).

------------------
Doug
Blue Spade Productions
http://www.bluespade.com

[Shriner]

I don't think it is a set thing, but for etchings and things (I know you are asking about photograhy) but most seem to prefer pencil to pen. Pen can often be too heavy, whereas pencil is much more subtle, and I suppose more traditional (*some* markers can look really awful, but those really thin ones are popular)

And yes, I agree with Jen:

edition # ---- Title ---- signature (date)

although I don't think that is set in stone, either. Just the most common way

[pixelscapes]

I don't know if it's the same for photos, but...


For a fine art print, you sign like this:

1/200 Title Sign&Date

That's on the front, in pencil, at the bottom edge of the image area (either just inside or just beneath, depending on how you plan to mat it).

-=- Jen "Sign of the times" Pixelscapes

[pixelscapes]

I believe the main point of signing with pencil is that it's much easier to prove it's an original, if it's signed in pencil. A print signed in ink could just as easily have been /printed/ with that signature in ink. At least, that's my understanding.

I would also be extremely leery of putting a sticker on the back of your artwork. It might claim to be archival, but what about the adhesive? Also (depending on the paper used), it might pucker or bow in the area of the sticker as the humidity increases and decreases. Maybe I'm just paranoid. http://www.wetcanvas.com/ubb/smile.gif

I just write it on the back bottom edge in pencil:
(C) 2000 Jenny de la Cruz, http://www.pixelscapes.com

-=- Jen