How to create a Certificate of Authenticity?

[emilycolors]

I was asked to donate a piece of art for a fund raising auction to benefit a lady that has cancer. I was thinking I should send along a Certificate of Authenticity with my artwork. First of all, does that make sense to do that? I don't have much experience in this area.

What information needs to be on it?
What kind of paper do you print it on?

Thanks bunches!

[pamelalbd]

Can't remember where on the WWW that I got my Certificate template, but you can search and find one that you can work up to your liking. Most importantly it was free . on mine I have a pic of the piece, the name, year it was done, the medium, the size, the # of prints, the maker of the prints, How to care for the original or the explaination of Arcival Inks and longetvity of colour before it starts to fade.mmmmmmmmmm and I think that's it....Oh and a Place to sign I'm sure other people have different things on their certificates so will be popping in to see other suggestions and then perhaps I'll add or subtract what I have on mine. You always learn so much from this group!

[Yorky]

Here's mine, done in Microsoft Word:



Doug

[William Duncan]

Thanks for the help.That is really useful.

[Diane Cutter]

As a woodcut printmaker I do COAs for every piece and now include them for all mediums. This is for a woodcut:

CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICITY

This document is to certify that the work of art described herein is an original hand-pulled print created and printed by the artist. The artist retains copyright to all images.

Title of Work: ‘Rainforest’
Artist: Diane Cutter

Signature: _________________________________
Date: _______________________

Contact information: xxmy email address@whatever.com or www.theitinerantartist.com or www.dianecutter.com

Medium/Technique: Woodcut
Image Size: 7”x10”
Paper: Flecked mulberry (50% Kozo, 50% recycled paper)
Ink: Daniel Smith oil-based relief (burnt umber)
Method of Printing: Bamboo baren/press
Edition number/edition size: Open Edition (This print is OE 75)
Type & number of proofs: One Artist’s Proof
Date of edition: 2007 Plate or matrix cancelled: No

Additional information: This print is part of the permanent Baren collection of the Art Museum, University of Kentucky (Lexington); won 3rd Place in Printmaking at the 9th Juried East End Art Guild Exhibition (Humacao, Puerto Rico 2008); & hung in the Atrevete Exhibition at the Museo Francisco Oller, Bayamon, Puerto Rico (2008).

Of course, scratchboard pieces don't have editions, etc. so it's a wee bit shorter. I like to present as much information as possible to the new owner. It's a who, what, where, when, how for the piece so they love it for more than the just the visual, making them more connected to the work. I feel the last area, Additional Information, is especially important. In the scratchboard pieces I put...

Scratchboard art is a method of drawing using a sheet of paper or a gessoed panel which has been covered in ink. The drawing is then done by scratching and cutting with sharp implements to reveal the white surface underneath. This piece of artwork has been varnished so that it may be displayed without glass. Gently use a soft cloth to dust.

I just print mine up on the computer and can add/change information over the years. These actually have a nice border (like Doug's) but I can't seem to upload the actual documents because they are the wrong file but you get the idea...

Diane

[emilycolors]

Thanks everyone! That's very helpful!

[PatrickHedges]

Mine is really simple, but I print it on gorgeous parchment paper which makes it look elegant

This is without the paper so it doesn't show how nice it is but you can choose any paper you want to get the look you want. I always add a small colour photo of it just to add that little bit of pizzazz to it (which means the parchment must be light coloured)

[emilycolors]

Patrick, I like the simplicity! It looks very elegant.

[kodik9]

Thank you, Emily for asking this question! Everyone gave great examples. I'll be bookmarking this for future use.

[Diane Cutter]

I like the idea of including the image, Patrick. I think I'll start incorporating that into mine, too. Thanks!

Diane

[Diana Lee]

Here is what I do. I buy certificate paper at the local office supply store. It has pretty scrolly type edges, it's 8 1/2 x 11. I don't have an image of the paper, but here is what the layout and wordage looks like. I also have a label I print on sticky back label paper and attach to the back of the artwork the label is about 3x4 1/2. I sign them both where you see the X. Though I am not showing it here I also do a certificate of Authenticity for my giclee prints.

I made my COA and Label using InDesign. It's a great program.

Diana