This template is © Alyson Stanfield, Stanfield Art Associates, Inc. It’s for clients and students only and should not be shared. Thank you for respecting my copyright.
There are many factors that will contribute to the steps you take upon completing an artwork. The 12 points below are a framework that you can customize to your needs.
The work shouldn’t be considered complete until you do the following with the physical piece.
Sign it! Sign your art wherever you can (front, side, back, base), and however you do it best. Signing says, "This is complete and I made it."
Add the date on the front, back, or underneath—where and when it’s appropriate for your medium. Many artists don’t like to date their work on the front these days because it doesn’t look as fresh. That’s fine, but date it somewhere, even if it's within your inventory system. Dating is a way that helps you claim credit for copyright and will be used by the curator that mounts a retrospective of your work in 30 years.
Make and include an identification card if applicable. If your medium allows, attach a card on the back with the complete credit line: Name, title, media, dimensions, and price.
This makes it easier for venues and collectors to track your work.
Don't let the piece out of your hands before you've properly recorded it.
Photograph the artwork.
Use professional lighting or natural light to capture high-quality images that you'll want to reference for years to come. If your work is particularly difficult to capture, consider hiring a professional photographer.
Standardize image naming to stay organized. Images are easier to find when you name them in a consistent manner. Examples:
lastname-abbreviatedtitle-imagesize.jpg hart-redsky-fullres-3000x2000px.jpg hart-redsky-72dpi-600x600px.jpg
Resize images for different uses.
Create a digital file folder for each artwork and differentiate your digital images using your standardized naming.
Record details in your inventory system. Add all info and the image to your inventory record for that piece. You may be ready to move on, but your future self will thank you for slowing down a bit to be thorough.
File a copyright claim.
If you're in the U.S., consider filing a copyright with the U.S. Copyright Office.