New Listings and Copyright Watermark Question

[Former_Member]

hi all! i just put some new images in my shop (check them out!). and as i was loading the pictures - i again wondered about copyright watermarks.. i've read the esty advice to not include them in our image files and so i don't use them here. and i do upload a small image file so if someone did right click and save picture - it wouldn't be a very good image for printing and framing. however, it still bothers me that this can be done.
for those of you who sell images - do you put a watermark on your pictures that you post on etsy? are you comfortable with your image not being taken for free with right click?
thanks! just looking for feedback.
- Natalie

[ArtbyHeroux]

If the photo is a small file it will print terrible so I wouldn't worry.
I add a shop signature at the bottom of the photo so it doesn't
cover the image.

[MurrayBolesta]

Yes I put a watermark and sure, they still get taken. Watermarks may deter a few thefts but generally most Etsy folks don't use them, and if they do, the watermarks should be unobtrusive for real customers.

Best wishes

[Former_Member]

I am not happy that people can copy my images if they want to, but that is unfortunately part of the price of doing business online. The fact is, many programs exist that can remove a watermark, even from the middle of an image. What I do is put my shop name in the corner so in the off chance someone wants to use the image, they might leave that on.

If you do put a watermark across the middle of your image, it makes it hard to see what it looks like, and that will turn off many buyers. I personally might have bought a print or two if the watermark wasn't so bad it wasn't exactly clear what the whole image looked like.

Further, you won't get into treasuries with large watermarks if that matters to you. I upload all my images with the minimum 72 dpi and usually no larger than 8" on the longest side at that resolution. Yes, it's true some images might be stolen, but the chances of that affecting your sales are low, and it seems the cons of watermarks outweigh the pros.

[Former_Member]

Thank you for all of your replies!! when i had my own website i changed the html to disable right clicking on an image. i wonder why etsy doesn't do that? just another thought! i'll keep thinking about this topic! i really value your input, thanks!

[meredithdillman]

People can get around the anti-right click. A good reason to put your name on your images is not that people will print out your low res and use in place of a print... images get stolen all the time for digital college, pendants etc. Those people go after the images they don't have to photoshop. Next you have people who think they are being helpful by reposting your art on blogs, tumblr, photobucket, facebook etc and don't think to link back and credit you. Your name on there is the only way someone who sees that will find who made it.

[Former_Member]

Thanks for this good discussion. It was very helpful to me because I have just started listing my photography this week.

[Former_Member]

https://www.etsy.com/listing/255377039/unisex-harem-pants-hippies-pants?ref=related-5