How to Sign Art Prints: Like a Pro

Has anyone ever told you how lovely your signature is? No, nor me. Mine is boring on a good day.

But here’s the thing, as an artist, you end up signing all manner of stuff, don’t you?

Over the years, I’ve ended up with three different signatures: one for official life, one for signing my drawings, and one purely for my prints. It might sound over the top, but there’s a good reason for keeping them separate.

So let me walk you through how (and why) I sign my art prints , and share a few tips along the way.

Why Bother Signing Prints At All?

People want authenticity and your signature is a big part of that. A signed print is proof that it came directly from you. It makes your work more collectable, even if it’s not worth a fortune.

You may never be famous but meeting the artist in person is big thing; it has emotional value.

But here’s a question I wrestled with myself. Should you sign every print you sell?

When I first started out, I had to decide whether to sign my open edition prints or just keep that for my limited editions.

I once met a guy who sold his photographs and charged extra if someone wanted him to sign them. I couldn’t bring myself to do that. It felt a bit weird charging someone more for a signature. Although fair play to him if that worked for his business.

In the end, I decided to sign every single print I sold, whether it was limited or open edition. And believe me, there were thousands of them.

Why bother? Simple, because my customers loved it. It made the prints feel personal and special. It even worked for online sales.

I’d sign them at home in batches. I didn’t want to sign each one in situ because if I was busy at my stall or a show, it would slow everything down and keep people waiting.

Even so, there are always a few customers who want to see you sign it again on the back, just so they know it’s truly theirs. And there are always some who want a personal handwritten message. I always complied.

That personal touch really matters to people.

The Three Signatures I Use (And Why)

Over the years, I’ve ended up with three different signatures.

First, there’s my “proper” signature. That’s the one I use for banks, credit cards, and signing my life away. It’s nothing fancy, just the way I’ve always signed my name. I keep that one seperate for legal things only.

Then there’s the signature I use on my original artwork. This one is more legible. It’s part of the drawing, so I make it fit the composition. I usually place it in the bottom right of the drawing. I don’t want it shouting for attention or spoiling the balance of the piece, but I do want it to be seen.

I’ll sign it in a lighter section if I can, but if not, I can sign it with a battery eraser pen. Yes, it’s perfectly possible.

And finally, there’s the signature I use for my art prints. This one is arty, neat, and consistent. It must be part of the aesthetic of the work. People buying my prints want to see a signature they can instantly recognise. It’s part of what makes a print special.

It might seem like a small thing, but these things matter.

Where and How I Sign Limited Edition Prints

When it comes to signing limited edition prints, there’s a bit of tradition to it. Most artists, including me, sign in the lower margin underneath the image. That’s the standard spot so it doesn’t interfere with the artwork itself.

I sign the print on the right of the image and add the numbers on the left. The number matters to many people. People will often pay more for number one.

These days, collectors want the first copy for the kudos or, if you ever become famous, for financial reasons.

There used to be a more practical reason for wanting the first prints. In the old days, printing plates would wear down slightly with each impression. The first prints off the press were often sharper and closer to the artist’s original vision. That’s why early prints were seen as better quality and more valuable.

Even though modern printing doesn’t have the same problems, the idea has stuck around.

I always sign in pencil. It’s the safest choice because it doesn’t fade like some pens can, and it doesn’t damage the paper.

I usually use an HB pencil, but a B or 2B is fine too. It has to be dark enough to be noticed but not so soft that it smudges or goes blunt too quickly, especially if you’re signing in batches like I do.

The signature will change as the pencil loses its point. When you sharpen it, do a few test signatures on scrap paper before you carry on. You don’t want a really sharp point. It doesn’t look as good, and the tip often crumbles slightly.

Avoid the H pencils. They’re too light and too hard for the paper, and they can even score it.

Alongside my signature and the number, I make sure everything is neat and consistent. I sign every print in the same place and in the same way.

I’m careful about only signing prints that meet my standards. If a print comes out too dark, too light, or with any flaws, it doesn’t get signed. Once it’s signed, it’s out there in the world as one of my official pieces, so it has to be right.

Practising an Arty Signature

The signature you see here is the one I use for my art prints. It took a lot of practice

I wanted something with a bit of an arty flourish, so I started studying how other artists signed their work. I looked up how other artists signed their work.

Some kept it super simple, others had big loops, underlines, or decorative swirls. I picked bits I liked and experimented until I came up with a style that felt like mine.

I kept working on it until my hand could move without thinking, and the signature looked the same each time. Muscle memory is everything.

One thing I learned was not to make it too complicated. It might look great the first few times, but when you’re signing hundreds of prints in a row, a fussy signature will get very tiresome.

So that’s how I ended up with the signature I use now. It’s a bit arty, neat enough to read, and it feels like part of the artwork rather than an afterthought.

What Buyers Want to See

Some people ask about certificates of authenticity. I never offered them because my limited editions weren’t expensive enough to warrant one.

It goes without saying that your signature should match the print.

Other artists might choose to provide certificates, especially if they’re selling in more prestigious events or dealing with higher-value prints. It can add an extra layer of reassurance for collectors, and it looks professional. But for me, it wasn’t really necessary.

Then there’s the matter of personalisation. Some customers want you to write a message on their print.

I’ll be honest, I didn’t feel comfortable adding a message on my limited editions. It felt like it interrupted the formality of a numbered print. But if a customer insisted, I’d do it.

I was far more relaxed about writing messages on my open editions. I’d write the message on the left, under the border.

My handwriting isn’t exactly attractive, so for the sake of neatness, I wrote everything in capital letters.

Most of these messages were for gifts. Customers would give me a name and a short message. I’d often suggest adding the town name, like “Brighton,” followed by the date.

As most of my customers were day trippers, they liked the idea. It turned the print into a nice souvenir, as well as a piece of art.

Signing Your Art Prints: Final Thoughts

So that’s a glimpse into how I sign my prints and handle all the little details that come with it. It might seem like a small part of being an artist, but it all adds up to how professional your work looks and how collectors connect with you.

If you’re thinking about selling your own art, there’s a lot more to it than just putting your signature on the paper. From pricing and display to talking to customers, there’s a whole world behind making a living from your art.

If you’d like to dive deeper, check out my guide on how to sell your art. It’s packed with everything I’ve learned from years of doing this for a living.

Everything you need to know about selling art.

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Hi, I’m Kevin Hayler
I’ve been selling my wildlife art and traveling the world for over 20 years, and if that sounds too good to be true, I’ve done it all without social media, art school, or galleries!
I can show you how to do it. You’ll find a wealth of info on my site, about selling art, drawing tips, lifestyle, reviews, travel, my portfolio, and more. Enjoy

How to Sign Art Prints: Like a Pro

Why Bother Signing Prints At All?

The Three Signatures I Use (And Why)

Where and How I Sign Limited Edition Prints

Practising an Arty Signature

What Buyers Want to See

Signing Your Art Prints: Final Thoughts

Kevin Hayler

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