Why you need a Certificate of Authenticity for your Art Business
You have laboured hard and long to create your art masterpiece. Either in person at a gallery, or online from your online shop, you’ve now sold the fruit of your labour to a collector. While you are thinking of shipping and logistics to get the choice artwork safely to its new home, why lose out on an opportunity to make a statement, give the collector confidence in his purchase, showcase your brand and leave an impression that will keep the collector coming back for more? An artist certificate of authenticity (COA), no matter how simply designed, will surely give you this opportunity to add even more value to your transaction. If, like me, you are invested in over-delivering to satisfy and wow your customer, this is a good way to do so.
What is a certificate of authenticity?
A certificate of authenticity or artwork certificate is a physical piece of paper describing the unique artwork, that accompanies the artwork, signed by the artist to validate its originality. We can call it the artwork’s birth certificate.
What is required on a certificate of authenticity?
A certificate of authenticity should generally have the title of the work, the artist’s full name (you might be let off with signing just 'Picasso' if you are Picasso), date of production, dimensions, medium used to create the art and material it is made from or painted on. In addition, for limited edition prints, this document will have the number in the edition (for instance no. 25 in a limited edition of 50 means you have one out of only 50 prints made). The certificate will also indicate in no uncertain terms, that the artwork is an original. The last essential part of the document is the artist’s signature, signifying that the artwork was made by the artist. Some artists include a personal message thanking the buyer or including instructions for maintaining the artwork in prime condition.
What are the benefits of a certificate of authenticity and why are they issued by a professional artist?
Originality and Trust
A COA will determine and prove that the artwork was actually made by the artist. Artists usually sign their work at the back or at one corner of the front of the artwork, but the accompanying certificate of authenticity is an added guarantee that the work is original and not a copy, a reproduction or a forgery from somewhere. This fosters trust in the artwork and shows that the artist takes his profession seriously.
Provenance
The certificate of authenticity also gives traceability to the work’s life and travels and movements from one collector to another over the years. It shows that the artwork was not stolen, looted or illegally acquired. Even though full provenance also depends on wills, receipts, archives, auction sales and dealers' records, an artwork's COA is a key factor in determining its originality.
Legal Ownership
A well prepared certificate of authenticity will show who owns the work if the collector’s name is mentioned in the certificate. Artists have gone further to emboss the certificate of authenticity with their legal official stamps and these documents can stand in a court of law to indicate ownership.
Value and Collectibility
What better way to show that you have acquired something of value, a choice investment and heirloom for generations to come than with a certificate of authenticity, duly signed by the artist. Just imaging owning an original Picasso with a certificate written in the artist’s own handwriting. It will enhance the artwork’s collectibility and increase its value and marketability on art scenes. It will increase the actual and perceived value of an artwork.
Brand creation and Marketing
As an artist grows in mastery and becomes more established, a certificate of authenticity, together with other brand materials, is a good way to showcase your brand and create a lasting impression. The colours on the document, its format, font choice and style, all combine to present the artist and the artwork to the world. Some COAs now have a small image of the artwork on it in addition to its details.
How to get a certificate of authenticity
You can either design one yourself, print it out and fill it in by hand or purchase an already made certificate of authenticity that you will only need to fill in. Today, there are templates online that you can customise to your brand standards, print out and issue without the hassles of employing a graphic design firm to design one from scratch.
A small step with great impact
Adding a Certificate of Authenticity to your art sales might seem like a small step, but it carries a lot of weight. It builds trust, protects your work, and adds credibility to your art business. Plus, it’s just one more way to connect with your collectors and let them know they’re buying something special, straight from the artist’s hands. So if you’re not already using COAs, now is the time to start. Your buyers will appreciate it, and your art business will look more polished and professional because of it.
Ready to Elevate Your Art Business?
Start including a Certificate of Authenticity with every piece you sell, and see the difference it makes. We offer various formats you can choose from.
If you want a free downloadable COA template for limited edition prints that you can start off with and that you can customise on Canva, drop your email below and I’ll send one your way!