Hello to all laser creators,
I was wondering if people sign the artwork after the project is done.
This pertains to ceramic tiles mostly. I put some of the Ti coating on the back of a couple of tiles and put the date and cut settings and it worked ok. Since I don’t really think of myself as an artist signing the work never occurred to me but I was just wondering how other folks do it.
I have a VERY small business engraving cutting boards for a local realtor, and I put their logo on the back. When I do any other engraving I put my own logo (created in Lightburn) on the backside. So the answer is yes, every chance I get. If you don’t blow your own horn, who else will?
My “logo” (LaserMikeyStuff) is my GMail address and website address.
It depends on the job. For my lamps I make a “product/nameplate” with the electrically relevant information, serial no. and who, where, when they were made.
I tie it with a thin hemp string on the lamp and if it is neat enough, people don’t remove it, especially not if there is a (customised) personal message on it. (the statutory electrical information is independently additionally glued to the bottom of the lamp base)
On other items I sometimes put my initials in a hidden place.
For things with a back (slate coasters or boards, etc.), I will usually burn my mark there, but if there’s not an unobtrusive place, I will generally forgo it. (Double-sided cork coasters have no spot available. Stainless steel plant markers are thin enough the heat-affected zone may show through. Things like that.)
For “mass-produced” pieces, which in my case may mean something like two-dozen 7"x10" free-standing award plaques, the added time of burning a nice-looking mark on the back can become more significant, so for those, I use my custom ordered electric branding iron to brand my mark on the back. After I let it warm up for ten minutes or so, each piece takes a couple seconds to brand. (I also rather like the look of a brand from hot brass – to me it somehow feels different.)
If it’s something I want to be “promotional”, I have a version of my mark with my domain, but usually it’s just my mark alone, like a touchmark from a blacksmith. (My forum avatar is my WardFontaine mark.)
Hey @CharlieAnderson
Absolutely — I think you should.
It doesn’t need to be a big “artist signature” on the front. A small mark, initials, date, or even settings on the back of a tile feels useful and adds a bit of provenance. It also makes the object feel finished.
For ceramic tiles, I’d probably keep it hidden/subtle on the reverse, but I like the principle a lot.
I “sign” all my Artistic Boxes. I laser up the bottoms with the Name of the piece, The date I made it, a digital signature, and a code that reflects run number and series number.
Thanks to all for the great feedback. I will add something unique to future projects.
Cheers!
I agree with @Dominic, in that I just write it on the back of the piece… usually with a pencil. Some artwork I’ve gotten wants their name to go somewhere on the piece. I usually just print it by hand on the back.
I usually use ceramic tiles, mainly because they are cheap but they are glass on one side and exposed ceramic on the reverse side. I’m sure it’s meant to stick to concrete or some other building material.
I put all the information @Dominic and the others have stated. You will forget faster than you think.
I put some black powder coat on a rock and lased that, it came out a lot better than I thought. Might try that on one of my porcelain tiles.
Have fun.
I appreciate the insight into how others personalize a workpiece. I used a fine tip marker to record cut settings, date, coating recipe, etc. on the back of tiles. Thinking about using the laser to record the info on the back of the tile, I made a tiny mix of Ti02 powder, PVA glue and water (I usually use tempera instead of PVA to give the coating some color so I can see the coating on the white tile but on the back tempera was not desired) and dabbed it on the back of the tile where I wanted my info and it worked great. I wasn’t sure if it would engrave on the non-glazed side of the tile. The downside is if you have a lot of tiles it slows down production big time.
How do you apply the powder coat? I tried some mica powder with no success. The air assist blew the powder away.
I won’t declare failure, but only a lack of successful attempts.
Even on the fiber, it will displace some of the powder coating, so I spread some more around and lase it again. I use the TiO2 type of marking also and have never tried it on the back of time, in theory it should work.
The actual steps are to engrave the basic graphic so you have an indentation or grove, use a brush and move it around so most of it goes into the grove you’ve made. Doesn’t need to be too deep. Then lase it, if it’s not dark enough, I repeat. I think the rock took two applications and it’s still not perfect.
This is using the black powder coat.
Like you, I don’t consider myself an artist, not even close. I have a hobby, and I make something useful out of it. I haven’t received any monetary compensation from it yet, only the smiles and appreciation of those who receive and see my work. I’ve been using my hobby to offer gifts that are more or less original, more or less creative.
I usually include a logo I created with the name I gave my hobby when I talk about it with friends.
I also usually include a QR code (just to be up-to-date) with the address of the Facebook page I use to publish what I’m working on, which I do very calmly and patiently because time for these things is very limited.
I usually put the logo and the QR code on the back of the pieces that allow me to do so.
Therefore, if you intend to spread some of your creativity, I don’t see why you shouldn’t put something in a less visible place on the piece that directs people to your work. A name, contact information, a link, something that allows anyone who might be interested to contact you.
If this information is placed in a less visible area of the piece, it is information about the creator of the piece; if it is in a visible area, it can be considered advertising.
@jkwilborn that is really nice and crisp looking. Maybe you could copy this posting (#11) to the Fried Some Rocks! thread?
Already have… thanks for the suggestion.
I sign every thing I make!
I am a hobbyist woodworker who never sells anything. I only make things for myself then give to family and friends. I designed a little logo for my shop and it does get engraved on every item I make.
Hi all, its Gwyn form Rhondda, South Wales , UK, I produce ceramic Norton method coasters, backed with cork. Always on the cork back of the coaster, I add my company logo, e mail address and contact number.
This has proved to be a very good way of advertising and can be better than business cards, which often get lost.
Ensure that all your details are legible and well presented,
Happy engraving and good luck,
Gwyn 
Excellent question Charlie and to be honest I’ve never given it much thought. But now that I’ve considered the benefits of signing a custom piece it seems to be an excellent method of getting your name out there, While allowing others an means to communicate with you if they want something made. I’ve only just begun my Laser Art work but from here forward I will create a signature complete with contact info so I can be available for other projects. Thanks for the suggestion.
If your info or logo is something that would not be good for the product, you can use a peelable address label. I filled an order with a resort spa that wanted only their logo engraved on the items, but they allowed removable labels. Then the customer can remove it if they want.
