Comments on: Is Watermarking Photos Really Necessary?

By: Linda Sinish

Linda Sinish — Tue, 15 Dec 2015 14:10:28 +0000

I use a watermark for advertising. It has driven lots of traffic to my site. And, it has helped with marketing to help me look professional.

By: Rena Klingenberg

Rena Klingenberg — Fri, 17 Apr 2015 22:08:12 +0000

In reply to Barbara Mandese. Thank you, Seaglass Barbara! :)

By: Barbara Mandese

Barbara Mandese — Fri, 17 Apr 2015 20:30:41 +0000

In regards to this question, I would like to reply coming from a Graphic designer/Jewelry designer standpoint. Watermarking in this case really doesn’t make a difference (My opinion). There are a few key elements that can be achieved by creating some settings when you make them live online. And of course it depends on your Website’s provider. Having said that, if I wanted to (which I don’t…:) ) I could do a “save-as” on an image even here, save it to my computer and then whatever my intentions are I go from there. When setting up a website, you have the ability to disable someones ability to save as…YouTube may be a good resource for this, because for me to explain in detail would explode this website. (Just kidding about exploding). Another thing to look out for once that has been achieved, is the “Prtsc” (Print Screen) option where for instance as I’m typing right now, I could hit the necessary keys to copy this entire page and then paste it into Word, or photoshop etc. Again, all preventable. Just takes time to learn it. To avoid going through all of that, the resolution on a photo on the web needs to be clear enough to the naked eye, but doesn’t have to be set where it can be zoomed in on. In a 4×4″ photo lets say, perfect image…but if someone copies the image/printscreens/ etc, it will be highly pixelated and they will have achieved nothing of course if their intentions are to “steal”. Being from NY I’m automatically a suspicious person…just raised that way, but this stuff…I have found that allowing my clients to save my pics, reminds them that I have something they may want. So I let it go. No matter what we do, our work is all very individual even if its very slight. I am inspired by others work. I hope this makes sense.
I’m not sure if I said too much, and if so I apologize, but if this helped someone, even one person, I’m good with it.

PS: LOVE THIS WEBSITE!!!!!!! 🙂 Blessings y’all.
“Seaglass Barbara”

By: Monica

Monica — Sun, 28 Sep 2014 03:19:13 +0000

I have found that an easy way to watermark is to put my shop name, or my name in a file with a transparent background, that way you can copy and paste with almost any editor. I don’t do it as much as I should, so I will be adding it to mine as well.

By: Autumn

Autumn — Thu, 07 Aug 2014 03:58:34 +0000

Hmm. I’ve been considering this for the last few weeks. I’ve recently updated my entire store, including taking new photos. I use Windows photo editors, neither of which (to my knowledge) has a watermark feature. I’ll be looking into though. You’ve all given me something to think about.

By: Nelson Jewelry & Gemstones

Nelson Jewelry & Gemstones — Tue, 18 Mar 2014 15:30:32 +0000

My images are very unique, and I can spot them immediately. Nobody photographs their beads like I do.

I just found two more images of mine that were stolen by a Chinese wholesaler. They even removed my watermark and added their own. I asked them to remove the images and gave them several days with no results. So I submitted a complaint through the marketing portal they were using, and the images have been removed.

I’ve also submitted copyright infringement claims through Google when I find my images being used by another site during Google searches. It’s very time-consuming but worthwhile.

By: dirty rooster studio

dirty rooster studio — Tue, 18 Mar 2014 15:00:49 +0000

I watermark every photo I take. I take advantage of my partner’s photography studio. This keeps others from stealing the rights to your photos. Having watermarked photos gives your customers or future customers the understanding that you are a professional and that you take pride in your work. Watermarking takes time, but the time it will save you from trying to stop thieves, should they steal images for their own, would be well worth. I take very detailed photos of all of my work and I watermark those, since they are in a collection under their own file name. Remember to get your name copyrighted through the Library of Congress.

By: Katie

Katie — Mon, 16 Dec 2013 19:19:01 +0000

I use my s3 to take my photos (my digital camera takes crappy photos) and there are watermark apps that make it super easy.
I use watermarks because I blog on tumblr and id say around 90% of reblogged posts have the wrong source or the photos were stolen and reuploaded..

By: Shelle

Shelle — Sat, 07 Sep 2013 15:42:16 +0000

I’m new to jewelry but have been a photographer for a while. I think watermarks are important to lead customers to your work and website. It may deter folks from stealing them but remember it is super fast and easy to clone out or crop out your watermark. It’s the nature of digital photography. Do research on copyright for your photos. You can do batches (hundreds) for $35.00 dollars. That would allow for large damages in court and an attorney may be more willing to assist with a lawsuit.
For those of you who want to take one picture and not add a watermark later why don’t you include you’re”watermark” in the frame with your jewelry piece at the time you photograph it.

By: Yvonne Estrada

Yvonne Estrada — Sun, 04 Aug 2013 06:43:31 +0000

This is a great question and it made me think that I need to add a watermark as I sometimes post my pictures for my friends on Facebook. I’m not sure anyone would have a motive to copy them as everything I make is one of a kind unless they bought one of my pieces to resell it. But better safe than sorry. I already have an editing program and I checked and it does not have the ability to add a watermark. I found a program called UMark with good reviews from CNET and downloaded it. You can use the non-pro version for free forever and the pro version is $29 – not quite sure yet what the difference is. Without so much as clicking on the help button, I was able to add a watermark and also to indicate what the new default file name would be (i.e. rutilated quartz pendant-watermarked) where the program picked up the original file name and added “-watermarked”. It says I can tag the files I want water marked and it will do all of them at once (a big selling point for me). I haven’t had time to play that much with it but so far I’m impressed with it. You can download it at uconomix.com/Products/uMark/Default.aspx.

I hope that helps.

I love the dialogue and comments! Thank you for sharing!
Yvonne

By: Nelson Jewelry & Gemstones

Nelson Jewelry & Gemstones — Sat, 03 Aug 2013 14:12:44 +0000

You want to put whatever text will help your customers find you through Google. I put Nelson Jewelry & Gemstones. It’s not a website link but my business name. If someone searches for that, my site is the first link in the search results.

By: Helen

Helen — Sat, 03 Aug 2013 12:56:39 +0000

I am also watermarking using a free program called Kigo – you can choose fonts, size, colour and where it goes. I never put it in the centre of an image as it would look unsightly and obscure the image, but I put it on the bottom left. I don’ know how much of a deterrent it is and I am pretty sure people copy my stuff as well. However I put my real name on my images and not my website link – so I woud like you input – shall I change this and put my name and my link on the photos? I have seen a lot of people doing that – but only the link. Would both be too much? I think having the link would be a good idea (obviously you can’t do this for Etsy etc, but I have my own website). I appreciate your thoughts:) I also am now trying to make items that are much harder to copy:)

By: zoraida

zoraida — Thu, 01 Aug 2013 14:20:38 +0000

My opinion on watermarking – absolutely yes! I have had customers find me just because of the watermarks on my photos. I post my images all over the internet and I want people to see my name on them. Of course my designs can and have been stolen but it is somewhat of a deterrent. Sadly, there are many jewelry “artists” who are not only untalented, but lacking in integrity as well. My mark is unobtrusive but obvious. The worst theft for me is having a so called “friend” on Facebook or other networks use my design with no credit, sell the item on Etsy and even teach a class featuring my design. I think watermarking shows a degree of professionalism as well.

By: Cheryl Feyen

Cheryl Feyen — Wed, 31 Jul 2013 14:31:02 +0000

There are so many places for photos to show up these days between Facebook and Pinterest and many more that it really is a matter of self-promotion to add your watermark. That way if someone posts your picture or tags it, or pins it your watermark tells them where they go to purchase the item or where to find more.

I know that as I browse the web I pin items that serve as inspiration for me. It’s a great way to save and organize those images for later. Sometimes it is the subject matter, sometimes the technique or the colors or the materials. All serve as inspiration for other projects.

By: Christie M

Christie M — Tue, 30 Jul 2013 22:50:41 +0000

I just found a great new app called RhonnaDesigns- it sells for $1.99 and I’m loving it for jazzing up my pictures and watermarking them. It’s not for editing, but it’s super easy and a lot of fun. I rarely labelled my pictures, but this one is so easy that I’m now adding my name to each picture I post on Instagram, Pinterest or Facebook.

By: Nelson Jewelry & Gemstones

Nelson Jewelry & Gemstones — Tue, 30 Jul 2013 21:09:22 +0000

Holly, you have me very confused. If you’ll never use editing software, how do you intend to add a watermark? Do you mean by physical means prior to taking the picture?

For free editing software, try this: bit.ly/1cljvsT

By: Cheryl Smith

Cheryl Smith — Tue, 30 Jul 2013 20:55:27 +0000

Yes I have the same question as Holly and would love to know

By: Holly of Treasured Perfections

Holly of Treasured Perfections — Tue, 30 Jul 2013 20:00:53 +0000

I don’t use photoshop, I come from the era of film photography, where you take a good photo or not. I’ve never felt the need to edit or crop a photo. I was wondering if anyone knows how I can go about adding a watermark to my photographs without buying all this ‘editing software’ that I’ll never use.

By: Nelson Jewelry & Gemstones

Nelson Jewelry & Gemstones — Tue, 30 Jul 2013 17:29:41 +0000

I agree with Fran. I created a watermark and saved it as a .psd file in PhotoShop Elements.

Once I’ve edited my original photo and saved it, I just use the Place function to add the watermark file to the photo, and then do a Save for Web. I add a w to the end of the file name to distinguish it from the original and even save it in a different folder.

By: Fran Selinger

Fran Selinger — Tue, 30 Jul 2013 16:57:40 +0000

Watermarking is actually very easy. There are lots of free tutorials on the web. You should already be in a photo editing program to crop/edit/resize your photos, so all you need to do is add a saved action at the end of your session.

By: Jules

Jules — Tue, 30 Jul 2013 15:16:19 +0000

I use to place a watermark on my photos, its time consuming so I stopped. I’ve had plenty of my “original” work copied throughout the years. Unfortunately you can’t avoid people copying your work or using your photos however, if you see it being done, they/you should notify both the ‘original’ artist and the person using the ‘original’. I’ve had several customers inform me of someone else copying my work.
If forum members, fellow artists and even customers notice something they even think is being copied it would be wonderful for that person to simply email both parties and say something to the effect. This way it informs the ‘original’ artist and the person using the ‘original’ that people know what you’re doing. Its also letting people know that people are watching. Its a way to deter people from stealing designs.

By: Nelson Jewelry & Gemstones

Nelson Jewelry & Gemstones — Tue, 30 Jul 2013 13:29:35 +0000

I sell gemstone bead strands, and I take at least two photographs of each bead. If someone searches for, say, lapis lazuli beads, they can see multiple images on Google and click through to whoever posted it.

So one day I searched for lapis lazuli beads, found my photograph on the top of the Google’s image search (yay!!!), clicked it, and was taken to another vendor’s site! And there’s my gorgeous photo of rose quartz. Wait! It links to a Chinese supplier. There’s my photo of rhodonite. What? Download as free wallpaper from some spammy site?

The problem is that when someone searches for an image of beads and clicks on my beautiful photograph, they should be directed to my site–not someone else’s. Someone else is getting traffic based on my photographic work.

I initially didn’t want to bother with a watermark and thought it would detract from the photo, but I am watermarking everything now. I created a watermark file in Photoshop Elements. Then after I’ve edited my final picture, I save it, then “place” the watermark over it and save it again as a watermarked version. That way I still have a copy of the original source file and it takes only five more seconds.

Here’s an example of one of my images that was stolen with its new watermark:

https://nelsongemstones.com/image/data/rose_quartz/rose-quartz-12mm-1w.jpg

Watermark everything. It protects your work and markets your brand.

By: Tammie E

Tammie E — Tue, 30 Jul 2013 11:55:56 +0000

When you see your photo popping up in a place you didn’t put it, it becomes a wakeup call. I now watermark all photos that I put on the internet for that reason.

By: Kate

Kate — Sun, 28 Jul 2013 18:36:14 +0000

I am still very new to this and coming to jewelry making from the perspective of a traditional and digital artist. There is no way I would not watermark the images of anything I make. For me it is not a matter of someone copying the pieces themselves, rather that those images can, and will, end up anywhere. Advertising another artists work; misrepresenting everything from beads, wire and findings to completed jewelry pieces on ebay; as part of another product (metal cases with images printed on them are notorious for this); and even on product packaging in stores. I’ve seen all of these and while you can’t stop people from using your images if you really want to, you can at least get some extra advertising out of it.

There is also those who are legitimately sharing images of jewelry because they like it. An unobtrusive watermark in this case serves as a kind of gentle reminder of both where the person sharing the image found it and lets those they are sharing it with know as well.

By: 'me'

'me' — Sun, 28 Jul 2013 13:47:39 +0000

i don’t but maybe i should. It’s just : i already spend so much time in making nice pictures. adding a watermark is again extra work and i don’t want to spend that time . But i really should I guess

By: Olga

Olga — Sun, 28 Jul 2013 13:07:27 +0000

In terms of designs getting stolen – of course you can’t prevent people copying a design. However, I think a watermark can be a deterrent from using your photos instead of taking their own.
Otherwise, I think a watermark can make a photo look more professional.
On the other hand, they are often distracting, and take additional work.

It’s something on which I haven’t figured out my opinion yet. :/
Hope more people will chime in!