I decided to write this article after I had a few discussions and made some observations considering watermarks on works of art and photography.

What are watermarks?
Originally used to prevent unauthorised use of artwork, watermarks evolved to be much more than that. They are those signs you find on many artworks, some of them smooth and elegant others obtrusive and distracting. They usually depict the (nick-)name or a logo of the artist. Most of them use it to sign their creation, which illustrates the mergence of watermark and sign.

Why using watermarks?
You might wonder about the need of using a watermark in first place. I would say yes, there is one. It is useful in several ways.
Some artists told me they decided to use watermarks, after they had found their artwork being used without permission and given credit respectively.
While this is a widespread reason, it shouldn't be considered the only purpose of watermarks (despite of the name's origin) or even constrain the original purpose of creating the artwork.
Another - in my opinion more important - reason would be the identification with your artwork. Show that it is your creation and that it allows people to learn more about your personality.
'Be known, be found' outlines one more reason to add a watermark or sign to your artwork. Let people who found one of your works on some random place find you and more of your art.

What watermarks should (not) look like
I have seen many great ideas of integrating a sign or watermark into a work of art; some are real artworks in an artwork. I have, however, also seen a few implementations that completely failed to serve their purpose properly.
There are a few things you should keep in mind in order to be part of the first category. Most importantly the watermark or sign should not distract from or even destruct the artwork it is on.
The watermark fails, if your 'customer' has to imagine how the part behind it might look like. It also fails if the watermark reduces from the attractiveness of the whole artwork.
It should be rather well integrated into the work and be a part of it than randomly stamped on it. Best case is when your watermark or sign makes your artwork or photography look even better.
I recommend using semi transparence or thin lines with less obtrusive font colors. Avoid making it too colorful.
Use only ONE, don't plaster your artwork all over with watermarks, UNLESS it is part of the art and you have a good looking system behind it.
There is nothing bad with using different types of watermarks/signs on your creations. For instance, to make sure they fit in better one might use a different watermark on digital artworks than on photography.
The position should be a part of the artwork/photography where it doesn't hide too much or visually fit in well. It shouldn't be too close to the edges or even touch them as this looks odd.
When adding a URL don't use 'h ttp://'. People know how to enter a web address and a row of special characters never really looks good.

Some positive examples
I browsed a bit through 'Deviations' to find some in my opinion good examples of how watermarks or signs should look like. I however, refrained from adding 'bad' examples, since I don't want to offend anyone.
> This one gives the artwork a special touch. Well integrated, good position, color and transparency. I consider this close to perfect: [link]
> A bit big, but he somehow always manages to find a good place to put it on. The font combination is also well chosen and adds in my opinion a professional look to his photography: [link]
> Neat and creative logos are always a nice solution. I think this one is a very good example: [link]
> Another creative and attractive approach: [link]
> Just signed. Simple but elegant, without being distracting: [link]
> Being part of the artwork: [link] (from my own gallery)

Conclusion
Regardless of the motivation for adding a watermark or sign to artworks and photography, enough time and work should be invested in any case, else you might risk messing up the whole creation.
Those who add watermarks to prevent unauthorized use of their works can avoid walking the small line between effectiveness and attractiveness by combining both into one result that isn't easily removed, yet adds a nice touch to the artwork or photography.


A.S. aka N!Ce