Jan 31 2008
Technique for adding a “Real” signature to prints in Adobe Lightroom
Want to add your real signature directly onto your images and not only along the outside edge ?
Yes, Adobe Lightroom 
will allow you to apply an Identity Plate of a typed text name and apply it directly onto an image, but it’s just not the same as a real handwritten signature.
Another option is to use Photoshop and apply a signature to the image via a layer and then re-import the image into Lightroom.
Here’s a way, I created, that can be applied when and as need. (click on images for a larger view)
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On a piece of white plain paper and using a black felt tip pen, write out desired signature
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Open
Adobe Photoshop - Import the signature via the Import with scanner option under the file menu
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OPTION: you may also use a mouse or Wacom Pen and write your signature directly within Photoshop
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Crop around signature as shown above
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Duplicate that layer
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Select the background layer and delete or erase the content so that you have a transparent background
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Deselect the background layer
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Select the layer with the signature
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From the menu - SELECT… COLOR RANGE ….
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Using the eyedropper tool click on the signature, making sure to avoid the edges
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Verify that the Invert box is not checked
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If desired and for clarity, set Action Preview to Quick Mask so as to see the selection better
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Adjust the fuzziness tool until only the signature is shown (depending on how clean the scan is, adjusting fuzzy slider will remove any extraneous specs that may have been scanned (this is one advantage to OPTION Step 4)… then Press OK
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Ctrl - J to create a new layer
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You may now choose to change the color by using the fill command or as I have done here, apply a Layer Style.
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Turn off all layers except the top signature layer. This will leave you with the signature on a transparent background
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Final step in Photoshop is to export via Save for web - From the file menu select Save for the Web and devices option
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Select PNG-24 and check the transparency box
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Save to a folder of your choice
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The final step in Photoshop is to decide if you want to save the PSD for later use ( ie; to change stlye or color)
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Open Lightroom… Print Module ….Select an image and the desired orientation
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Open the Identity Plate editor dialog and select use graphical identity plate
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Locate and select the signature PNG file created with Photoshop. Then save this new identity plate with a new name using the Save As option
- The Signature ID plate can now be applied to the image. It maybe larger than desired. Use the scale option to adjust and then position on image as desired.
That should be it, let me know how it works out.
Thanks !
