A plea to all of the users of watermarks!

[Former_Member]

Please stop using water marks! I know that we all put a lot of work into our photos and there are a lot of reasons you may think you need to use a watermark on your photos, but the truth is you really don’t need them.

Reasons why you use water marks. . .


1) Someone could just grab the image and print it out themselves. Allowing them to enjoy your art for free.

The truth) Images for web are 72 ppi (pixels per inch), images for print are 300 ppi. Meaning that images taken from the web will not look good printed. They just won’t, and anyone who thinks they do look good deserves to have pixelated art on there walls.


2) Someone can steel my images and use them for similar items that they make.

The truth) I will admit this dose happen, from time to time, and it is downright rotten that some unscrupulous people engage in such behavior! And it’s true a watermark will detour them from using your image. But then again they might have Photoshop and a basic understanding of the clone and spot healing tool, with those two tools you can wipe away almost any water mark.

While using a watermark will detour thieves it will also detour blogs and website from featuring your work! And one thing is for sure, no blogger will photoshop out your water mark, most won’t even take the time to request a unmarked copy. They will just move on. I mean when have you EVER seen a water marked image on design sponge, apartment therapy, or any of the blogs we all would just die to get on? Never, I have never seen a water mark on any of my favorite blogs.


Anyway, thats my 2 cents. Just something to think about.

[isewcute]

I've had my photos stolen outright by alibaba & another etsyan, so feel it is in my best interest to mark my photos from here on out. I understand your point of view though & maybe I'm not featured as much because of it, but today....
I am in the etsy finds email!

:)

[isewcute]

I love your quilled ornaments Sarah! I haven't seen anything like them.

[Former_Member]

I can see how getting burned like that would lead you to watermark your images. I actually don't mind the way you use yours, they are light, small and tucked into a corner. I have seen way to many huge watermarks all over the image, and item. I just had to say something.

And thanks, I have fun making the ornaments. Doing things with quilling paper that have never been done before is my jam!

[Former_Member]

I use them, but it's a small inconspicuous watermark. It won't deter photo theft but it's there and I'm not removing them. I've heard so many comments either way, it's just mind boggling how one will say yes to watermarks and one will say no.

Of course, if we are going to tell others how to run their shops, I would say smoking is not a good idea when you are working with paper items, so... Everyone has an opinion on everything I guess. ;-)

[JudyStalus]

I don't use watermarks because I personally don't like them but your number 1 isn't completely true.
While loading a small sized file is some protection I have seen images stolen and used on those little tile pendants many times and you don't need a big file for that.
Also I use Genuine Fractals to resize my photos to poster size and it works extremely well. Its a myth that you can't enlarge photo file size - these programs are expensive but give excellent results.
Its also easy to remove watermarks - there isn't really a foolproof way to protect photos.

[Michellemurraydesign]

It's interesting that you should say that because I was getting someone to do a banner for me and all the samples she sent me for review had her watermark across the whole thing and i found it very difficult to envision it without and very distracting. I think it may have contributed to us having difficulties in our transaction because I kept asking her to change things.

[WilliamsGiftshop]

I stopped using them years ago.
I'm with you.
I often get featured on blogs and other websites.

And yes of course, my pictures get stolen every ones in a while.
I stopped making a big deal out of that. With the exception of people that actually try to make money using my images. I make them stop (if I find out about it....; but my work is quite well known and usually others warn me, which is very nice of them).

[WilliamsGiftshop]

once

[Former_Member]

Trace, if I have an order, I will remove the watermarks from the draft. If you are asking for free samples before money is exchanged, I understand completely why they sent them with watermarks.

I forgot to mention my digital files. I sell digital files and I have to have my watermarks all over the photos in my listings for banners or my DIY cupcake toppers. If not, there is nothing from stopping someone taking my designs for themselves without paying me.

Sometimes we have to protect ourselves. Digital artists already have enough problems getting paid as is.

Of course the watermarks are subtle. But they are also enough to make it a total PITA for someone to remove my name from the entire page through photoshop.

[WithLoveFromLucille]

This topic is one of things....To each their own.

[ForgedMettleJewelry]

I only used watermarks back when I had photographs in my shop. but on my jewelry I basically just crop my shot and upload them...

[Former_Member]

Good points made in favor of watermarks.

I just wanted to show how actions you think are protecting you could be hurting you and your chances for exposure.

[1AEON]

i got burn but the truth is people will copy you and still your stuff anyways if they want to. I got peeps send ing me similar items that they just made copying mine and asking me if Im impressed! ?? whaaat!? I know. so not sure if it stops anybody, yet I use my logo in one of the corners, makes me feel better. plus ton of people pull shit from etsy and blog about etianss. good or bad its advertising. Many times no names mentioned so I like how I have a readable name on my photos.

[CrystalGaylePhoto]

I use my watermarks as if I pin items to pinterest and someone decides to repin with out a backlink, people still will know where to find the photography for purchase. Just one of the reasons.

[Former_Member]

(This comment is totally off the subject.)

I just have to say, Sarah, your work is a-mazing! I hope you get a lot of recognition for your work. It is truly original.

[Michellemurraydesign]

I competely understand why people use them, especially digital sellers; however, putting it in a corner somewhere or along the top or bottom would be better for potential buyers to really see clearly the image. When it is across the whole image it is difficult to filter out for some.

[Former_Member]

There are still watermarks on a couple of my older prints, but as I go through and update listings, I'm going to retire using them. I've had one part of one design stolen in the time I've been here (someone said they 'just found it on Google Image Search so they figured it was okay . . . what?) and no other problems. I think keeping the image size small and of course the fact that it's 72dpi works fine for print sellers. But, like Tracie said above, it's entirely understandable why a digital seller might want to use it.

[BombshellShocked]

Within my first month on etsy, I found TWO of my photos being used on other MAJOR websites, without a link back to my shop or photo credit. Publications gladly added those things when I asked, but I really shouldn't have had to ask in the first place.

I still don't watermark my photos, but I understand why people do.

[ErinJPhotos]

I use them & will continue to use them. I know someone who had an image taken from Etsy with no watermark & was used as a fabric without her permission. It was 600px.

People have also pinned my stuff to pinterest without a link back to my shop but at least it had a watermark.

[Former_Member]

I use them once in a while for the Pinterest reason also. Especially the issues of having my things repinned onto boards where people straight out state they are going to copy something. I know it won't stop them, but it gives me a little bit of satisfaction knowing they look like a little bit of an ass stating they are going to copy something with the artist's name on it. Petty perhaps but I've just been frustrated. I'm not sure if I will continue doing it or not.

[Former_Member]

I think it is personal preference to keep it or not. In my case I don't think I am missing out any exposure just because I keep watermark.
@ Sarah: Your work is beautiful and one of a kind..

[GreenFoxFarms]

Thanks for the info... I hadn't thought of it from that perspective. I personally started using them again recently after finding out about 3 different sites using my photos without my permission. I spend a large amount of time on my photos because I think they are that important, which makes theft even more frustrating to me. Additionally, these are pictures of my own children which I am obviously putting out there, but again I want to do what i can to prevent them from being stolen for that reason also. I try to make my watermarks sort of blend with the photo, but I had an image with a corner watermark stolen and cropped, so I put them where they are more difficult to remove now. Maybe I'll get over it in time, I've only been open for a 3.5 months. But again thanks, because its good to see things from another perspective! :-)

[Former_Member]

I have at least 1 design that was copied / mass produced in China. =\

[LeedsRadio]

JudyStalus
Thank you for mentioning Genuine Fractals. I downloaded the trial version. It's a memory & CPU pig but the results are amazing. I am going to buy it.