How do you sign pieces

[Matthew Ferriter]

I found a website online that makes custom rubber stamps and also sells ink pads with pretty durable ink. I apply this logo on the bottom to the bare wood and allow it to fully dry before applying finish.

Cost about $25 total (including custom stamp, ink and shipping). Took less than a week.

 

[Joseph Maiorano]

I sign my work with an archival pen. My signature includes either my initials or my name and the type of wood. I used to include the year but I stopped because it like I was trying to sell last year's stuff. I generally sign my work before I put the finish on.

 

[Don C Davis]

This is good intel folks, I genuinely appreciate it.

Good Turning to you all!!

 

[Steve Doerr]

I use a Pigma Micron archival ink pen. Unlike a Sharpie, these are permanent and are not affected by finishes. I like this, because it allows me to sign, wood species, turning number, and date without having to worry about the size of the bottom of the turning.

 

[Don C Davis]

Very interesting Steve Doerr, I just ordered some of those from Amazon!!
thanks for the supporting post

 

[Ronald Plumley]

I use an Archival Ink pen which I bought at Michael's if I remember correctly. it doesn't have the issue of messing up the ink with poly finish like the sharpies do.

 

[Darryl Fective]

Tried Sharpies with similar results.

I picked up a lot of 3 dental handpieces on eBay for about $80 and bought an assortment of burrs separately. I had to make up a regulated air supply for it, but it works great for piercing and/or signing pieces.

 

[WODAD]

So I've only been doing this for 15 years and I have been using sharpies. I have seen pieces I did in the beginning and there has been no fade. I'm guessing it's because the signature is on the bottom of the piece so it gets no u.v. rays. I also number and record each piece made and write a small story that tells where I got the wood and what kind of adventures went into making the piece. They take additional time but people now expect that extra touch. No story, no buy so I'm locked in.

 

[Don C Davis]

Heck WODAD, I've only been turning for 5+/- years-so your experience is valuable to me--I think if you get a sharpie to make the initial mark you like, then it would work pretty good--my experience in using sharpies is that they don't write for long on wood for me--I've tried the ultra-fine tip ones, and they just don't hang in there for me.