Signing Metal Prints?

[BradfordBenn]

Hopefully the right forum, if not feel free to move as appropriatte.

I have a metal print that I am giving as a gift to my mother. So after a suggestion from the Lovely and Talented GentlyMad (the wife) that I should sign it before sending it to her, I realized I wasn't sure what would be the best way to sign it?

So if I want to sign the print do I use a Sharpie, a paint pen? It is a BayPhoto Metal Print.:scratch

Thanks

[liflander]

Good question! Just got my first metal print from bay photo, so I would like to hear some opinions on this.
Did you try asking bay photo?
Mark

LiflanderPhotography.com

[ian408]

A UNI (http://www.officemax.com/office-supplies/pens-pencils-markers/markers/permanent-markers/product-ARS22968?cm_mmc=GBase-_-Office%20Supplies-_-Pens,%20Pencils,%20and%20Markers%20-_-Markers&ci_src=14110944&ci_sku=20108553) Paint pen would work.

[BradfordBenn]

A UNI (http://www.officemax.com/office-supplies/pens-pencils-markers/markers/permanent-markers/product-ARS22968?cm_mmc=GBase-_-Office%20Supplies-_-Pens,%20Pencils,%20and%20Markers%20-_-Markers&ci_src=14110944&ci_sku=20108553) Paint pen would work.

Thanks. Couldn't find one at my office mega low mart supply place, but found Sharpie brand extra fine point paint pens. And it is going to my mom, so even if I butcher it...... which I did cause of my handwriting. However the pen was much finer than expected and the practice stuff worked fine. The smoothness of the metal is what kind of threw me.

[Art Scott]

Hopefully the right forum, if not feel free to move as appropriatte.

I have a metal print that I am giving as a gift to my mother. So after a suggestion from the Lovely and Talented GentlyMad (the wife) that I should sign it before sending it to her, I realized I wasn't sure what would be the best way to sign it?

So if I want to sign the print do I use a Sharpie, a paint pen? It is a BayPhoto Metal Print.:scratch

Thanks

I have been using a Pilot Acid Free Paint pen in Gold and Silver for many years.....these are not the gold or silver you can get at walmart, office depox (max) or other discount or office supply companies.........I got to an art supply here (not a michaels or hobby lobby either) or blue print company here........they run approx $12 each here and I buy 1 or 2 of each per year.......it takes a bit of practice to get the hang of how to get the paint flowing....but they work great for me.

The Key is to make sure what every you are using is ACID FREE......sharpies are not and most inks have a deteriorating agent (acid) in them (all but India ink I believe)

[gricketts]

I received a 16x24 aluminum metal print from Bay Photo yesterday. This process is extraordinary! The photograph is sharp, with an almost three dimensional look. I took it to the gallery and they were blown away by it, studying it from all sides like a painting.

Then they said, "How do you plan to sign these?" I said I would get back to them on that.

So, out there in Smug land, have any of you signed one of these metal prints and if so, how?

I looked at some permanent markers, but I'm not sure that's the way to go—for one thing too thick. I want something fine, permanent, and subtle.

Any help or suggestions will be appreciated.

Thanks,

Gary Ricketts

[mercphoto]

The Key is to make sure what every you are using is ACID FREE......sharpies are not and most inks have a deteriorating agent (acid) in them (all but India ink I believe)

Sharpie does make a version of their marker that is safe for CD/DVD's. I would assume that would have to be acid free? Might be an easier marker to find.

[gecko0]

I am very interested in the metal prints after seeing them...I wonder if a quick call to Bay Photo would answer the signing them inquiry?

[gricketts]

I am very interested in the metal prints after seeing them...I wonder if a quick call to Bay Photo would answer the signing them inquiry?

Great solution!

l just called Bay Photo. They said to use a pen made by Bic called Markit. It is fine point permanent ink.

The next trick is to find the pen; most likely an art supply store.

If I am successful with this, I post an update.

Gary Ricketts

[cabbey]

Great solution!

l just called Bay Photo. They said to use a pen made by Bic called Markit. It is fine point permanent ink.

The next trick is to find the pen; most likely an art supply store.

If I am successful with this, I post an update.

Gary Ricketts

They're actually really easy to find... around here you can get them at the grocery store in the kids art aisle. I've seen them at several craft, scrapbooking and art supply stores as well. Not to mention target, wallmart, amazon, overstock... http://www.google.com/products?q=buy+Bic+Markit&hl=en&aq=f

[cabbey]

They're actually really easy to find... around here you can get them at the grocery store in the kids art aisle. I've seen them at several craft, scrapbooking and art supply stores as well. Not to mention target, wallmart, amazon, overstock... http://www.google.com/products?q=buy+Bic+Markit&hl=en&aq=f

And I should mention, the downside to the Markit is going to be that it's just (acid free archival) ink. If you're trying to sign on a dark image like Bradford Benn was... they're not likely to help much. The paint pen solution then becomes the answer.

[gricketts]

And I should mention, the downside to the Markit is going to be that it's just (acid free archival) ink. If you're trying to sign on a dark image like Bradford Benn was... they're not likely to help much. The paint pen solution then becomes the answer.

Thanks for the info. I appreciate it.

Gary Ricketts

[Art Scott]

just had to replace my gold paint pen and what my art store is carrying now is Pilot Gold / Silver markers (http://www.pilotpen-store.com/product_detail.asp?T1=PIL%20SCG-E)in extra fine point for $3.49 each
They are acid free and wil write on most surfaces...they efven have an instruction sheet with them.......each pen is in a nice pull apart plastic storage tube.........

[ian408]

What's with all the......periods?

[racer]

What's with all the......periods?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ellipsis

that, or else he is using morse code between sentences ... .. . ..... .. .. . ........ .. . :D

[NikonsandVstroms]

I'm about to start offering these myself and might have some going up in a gallery :clap

So the question.....has anyone tried using a micron pen to sign them? I'm thinking about signing the back but I just want to make sure it wont smudge off.

[Art Scott]

Why sign the back?????........all art work I have seen is signed on the front......also serves as a sure fire notice to any one asked to make a copy that it is a pro piece of work.....I stamp the back of my prints with studio name, address and phone number also.....but signature on front is either gold or silver.

[NikonsandVstroms]

Why sign the back?????........all art work I have seen is signed on the front......also serves as a sure fire notice to any one asked to make a copy that it is a pro piece of work.....I stamp the back of my prints with studio name, address and phone number also.....but signature on front is either gold or silver.

These are pieces to go up in a gallery so that is not a concern, my issue is I will be printing to the corners and they would go up as just the print itself (usually I would sign the matte) and do not want to have my signature over the image itself being a distraction/covering details.

[Art Scott]

I never understood the signing of the mat....painters and other artists sign the print it self....but each has to decide what is best for themselves.....
I do not know if the Pigma Microns are acid (at least there archival pens are)......but no one carries them here in ICT.....but are very fine pointed

[NorthernHorse]

Guys if you are going to sign a print, it must be acid free otherwise it can destroy your piece in years to come. Please take is seriously if you are not. Thanks for the link to the Pilot pens, I'm going to pick up a set.

[daylightimages]

I'm not sure if acid free or not would have much of an impact on a metal print. They appear pretty durable and I think you're actually only touching a gloss overcoat anyhow. However, most pens will smear on metal prints, so quick drying permanence is going to be more important than acid content.

The metal prints are way cool. I'm trying to convince my wife that one of our walls needs a dozen 8x12s.

[NikonsandVstroms]

I'm not sure if acid free or not would have much of an impact on a metal print. They appear pretty durable and I think you're actually only touching a gloss overcoat anyhow. However, most pens will smear on metal prints, so quick drying permanence is going to be more important than acid content.

The metal prints are way cool. I'm trying to convince my wife that one of our walls needs a dozen 8x12s.

Have you mounted any in frames yourself? My thought right now is if it is a rectangle roughly the thickness of the glass (I don't get my tests till Wednesday so anyone could check that out it would be a huge help to my planning) that normally would go over a print I could set up a frame and just put it directly in.

[Art Scott]

I'm not sure if acid free or not would have much of an impact on a metal print. They appear pretty durable and I think you're actually only touching a gloss overcoat anyhow. However, most pens will smear on metal prints, so quick drying permanence is going to be more important than acid content.

The metal prints are way cool. I'm trying to convince my wife that one of our walls needs a dozen 8x12s.

Actually acid free is of the utmost importance to preserve your investment.....one could do it with oil or acrylic paint and a brush ......the Pilots I use do dry quickly and are paint not ink the Pigma Microns are ink...but still acid free according their website.......

[daylightimages]

Have you mounted any in frames yourself? My thought right now is if it is a rectangle roughly the thickness of the glass (I don't get my tests till Wednesday so anyone could check that out it would be a huge help to my planning) that normally would go over a print I could set up a frame and just put it directly in.

These don't go in frames. These are metal prints -- they clang when you tap them. Not metallic paper. These don't roll, don't fold, don't bend without a machine shop. They come with a mounting bracket on the back so they float off the wall. The photo is in the metal, under a gloss coat.

[NikonsandVstroms]

These don't go in frames. These are metal prints -- they clang when you tap them. Not metallic paper. These don't roll, don't fold, don't bend without a machine shop. They come with a mounting bracket on the back so they float off the wall. The photo is in the metal, under a gloss coat.

Oh I know that, Bay offers them in a deep frame though and something might that could look good.