Value of Signed Prints

Although the original art might have a signature, adding a digital or hand-signed signature to your prints can make them feel more special and add value in certification. 

Signing your artwork is important for the artist's brand and establishment. It creates authenticity and value, no matter how you sign it.

Pros and Cons of Each Process

Hand Signing

Hand-signing your prints requires that you have access to them before selling, framing, or shipping them. This hands-on approach is nice because you can inspect the prints and customize your signature and edition number per print or collection. 

Hand signing gives the artist lots of control. However, if you are drop shipping or working with a non-local print shop, you might accumulate extra fees for shipping directly to you to sign, then back to the print shop or framer to be sent to your customer afterwards.

Depending on price point and the need for this level of specialization, you might have the margins and time to work within this process. Be careful of messing up prints while signing; this can add more time and possibly money to replace these prints.

Protip: Using local shops and shipping yourself can save time and lower the possibility of damage from shipping multiple times. 

Digitally Signing

Digitally signing your prints works great with digital print shops. Since a file has to be created to print, adding a digital signature can boost the value of your prints, such as by hand-signing.

Digitally signing can save you time, especially if you do a large-scale print run or are drop shipping to your customers. There's no need for extra travel time to sign them in person. 

Creating a signature template to use frequently can be easy and cheap for skilled digital editors. However, if you lack the technology and skills to do it yourself, paying someone to set up your digital signature can add an extra fee to the digital signing process.

When to Sign Digitally

Digital signing is fast and consistent. If you plan on selling online and dropshipping to your customers, digital signing might be right for you.

Pro tip: Choose the signature process based on edition type and price point.

For example, choose digital for an open run of prints. Hand signing might be better for a limited edition run of prints. 

Signature Placement Tips

Signatures are personal. Finding the best way to sign your artwork is invaluable to an artist. We can offer some tips on making the most of your art prints when signing prints.

• Consider adding borders. Extra white space around the prints can give them visual and physical space to sign them.
• Browse your favorite artists' prints and see how they sign. Deciding before ordering can save time.
• Graphite works well on matte papers. If you are getting glossy paper, try using a pen or marker. 
• Proof first, order second. Digital proofing or mocking up the layout can help save money and time on troubleshooting.

-> Test signing on our media sample set with your favorite pens and pencils. Let us know what works best for you.