When an artist or photographer signs the matting around the picture they are selling, do they use pen?

Question

Or do they use pencil? What SHOULD be used? Does it even matter?

I would think that pen might be more professional, but I see pencil used more often. ??

Answer 1

To answer your question, pencil, It's less contrasting to the back ground. You don't want your signature competing with the art /photo. It just looks more sophisticated. To elaborate a bit, the ideal way to sign a photo is to sign the actual photo, not the mat. Who knows how many times your photo will be reframed. Your mat with your signature could get lost. Mat finish photo paper has a tooth to it, conducive to signing with pencil. I would title the piece below the image on the left side and sign it below the image on the right. Then have your mat cut to size to expose what you've written. If it is a limited addition, write the # of the print, a / and how many prints in the addition. Always to the left of your signature. If you want exclusive reproduction rights to your image, put a copy right symbol to the right of your signature. A c with a circle around it. The poor mans copy right is to take a photo of the signed work, stick it in a self addressed envelope, mail it back to your self. When you receive it, don't open it. File it away in case you need to present it to a judge.

Answer 2

I have always seen pen, but pencil makes sense because they're not actually damaging the matting. Sometimes photographers will also sign the back of the photograph, and sometimes they don't sign anything if it's a well known photograph that they made multiple printings of.

Answer 3

Each has his own method. Artists do what they want. That's part of being an artist, doing things their own way.


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