Do I need a COA?

[jennymacs]

I notice a lot of people selling their ACEOs with COAs. I only sell originals so do I really need them? Do you think they would help my work sell better? It seems to me that they would only make sense with limited editions or prints. Thanks! Jen

[mcmurray54436]

what is a COA?

[artistjillian]

Certificate of Authenticity. I always give one. ALWAYS.

[drawdog5]

COA = "Certificate of Authenticity" It's something you print out and sign to assure your buyers that what they've bought from you is authentic. They're pretty common (although not required). I provide them with my original ACEOs - easy enough to do, and I think the buyers like them. I set up a Word document with 8 to a page, each one is ACEO sized, so they're easy to slip in the sleeve behind the ACEO. The main reason I provide them is to protect myself - I have copyright info on the COA so folks know they are getting the original, not any right to reproduce it. I also state that info on my auction listing, but I think it's good to reinforce it with the COA. Here's a sample of one of mine: This one's not quite ACEO proportions - ignore that. It's not signed either, I do that in the space above the bottom border. The copyright text reads: "c 2007 Ann Ranlett, all rights reserved. This painting may not be reproduced in any manner without the artist's consent." -Ann

[bellsakabin]

After seeing the other COA's that group members showed the group I designed mine ;-) So, here is what I came up with I chose to include the story I used in my auction as part of the COA. Also, on subsequent COA's I have started using a code number system to identify my art which appears below the words COA. My COA carries a copy of the artwork as well (don't know if you think that is a good idea but I did) and is roughly the size of a postcard as I thought when printed on a piece of card it would serve to help protect the aceo in transit. Regards, Belinda 🙂

[bdelcb]

I always include a coa...even with my larger paintings. here's a copy of mine. feel free to modify & use as your own...just make sure to change the name. LOL I hope someone can use it. It was made in MS Publisher.

[artipher]

I figure if a buyer asks for a COA I can make one up and send it. But on the back of every work it is signed, dated, numbered with a name, and a statement that is is an original (or not if I get into prints) A COA can be lost, smudged, or destroyed. It can also be copied or altered. Famous works of art have not had COAs in the past and it just seems unneeded to me. Some of the things mentioned sound like the COA is much bigger - and more detailed - than the art. But, that is just my humble opinion. And I've only sold one ACEO...so, it is everyone for themselves when deciding. PJ

[artistjillian]

Yes, I put all details on the back of my cards, but also send a COA.

[jjohnsonlowe]

I use card stock for many of my cards and worry about bleed through from putting info directly onto the backs of my aceos. At first, I made 1/2 page COAs with a photocopy of the aceo, my typed name, my signature, the date of completion, the support used, and the medium used. I got RANTS and RAVES from my buyers. They especially loved knowing what materials were used. It was hard to mail these COAs, so I began looking for something else. I noticed that other ebayers were selling stamps and templates for COAs. I got on MS WORKS and came up with my own. I love to draw -- HATE to write, so my COA contains everything except my signature, the month completed, and "X's" beside the materials used. It takes me about 5 seconds to fill one out. I use acid-free scrapbooking tape to adher it to the back of the card -- the COA is about 1/8" to 1/4" smaller than the aceo. My buyers rave even more now because the coa fits in their frames, trading card protective pages, etc. It is a little bit of trouble to do this, but I guess it is worth it. 😄 Jana

[katay2758]

Do you think that gluing the COA to the back of the card is alright, using acid free glue of course.? I have made my own COA also the size of the card. Karen

[jjohnsonlowe]

I would test it first on some scraps. Even though it is acid-free glue, it might seep through thinner aceo materials or, if it is water-based, it might warp your aceo. 🙂 Jana

[artistjillian]

Sharpies WILL usually bleed through. Micron usually don't. You can also write on stickers then put that on the back, but I don't trust glues over time. Thanks for all the great suggestions. If you have acid-free concerns you can spray with 'make it acid free'.

[drawdog5]

As a buyer, it doesn't matter to me if I receive a COA or not (so long as there's some info written on the back of the card), but it IS a nice touch if it looks professional. However, if I did receive a COA, I would NOT want it attached to the back of the card. On the back of my ACEOs, I use a Micron pen to write: my signature, the copyright year, the title of the art and my website. -Ann

[inanire]

At first a COA sounded like a good thing, but after reading one of Jack White's articles in Art Calendar, I decided against them. He brought up many good points. The two I remember are: They can seem a bit "cheesy" and "beginner-ish". - And - They are not necessary; and since they can be easily faked, they are actually quite pointless. I tend to agree with his opinion on this. Why go through the bother if they actually don't mean anything and might even make you appear unprofessional? Do what you really want to do, 'cuz in the end it won't matter anyway. But, I just thought I'd let you know why I changed my opinion of COAs and why I don't bother with them. All the best! -Jendria

[artistjillian]

I can understand that point of view. But all my work comes with a COA. I want people to know I'm professional about my work. I sometimes don't but that is when my work is a gift, and even possibly a trade - mainly because I don't have time. I like the ones I have, and take them seriously, even having a separate folder for them. There are very reputable ways of getting a COA. EBSQ artists provide a coded part of their website to collect theirs with each sale. And there is www dot nationalartstitle dot com which has been going for some years now. I suppose some 'over-the-top' COAs can be 'cheesy' but I'd say the ones like national arts title provide are far from beginnerish. Granted, they aren't necessary. How easily faked they can be, is open to contention. They are a lot of bother, that is SO true. I hate doing them as instead of packing up my items and sending them I've got to bring up templates and images, and put index cards in my computer. All taking time. I've never had anyone say to me not to send them. I've never had anyone say that the COA meant nothing. I've never had anyone say I was unprofessional, in fact some of my feedback says 'professional packing/presentation. Guess Mr White never dealt with ebay customers, like we do. I can understand you changing your mind on reading that Jendria. I don't care if anyone does or doesn't send one though this mostly applies to ACEOs. I do appreciate those I do get. I know the time it takes, and know they are a pain in the butt. My personal stance is - treat your ACEO artwork like miniature masterpieces/treasures, and the buyer will, too. I feel that giving an ACEO is part of that professionalism. I bought a $500 etching print from an gallery a few years back. I certainly expected and got a COA with it as it is a very collectible artist (Norman Lindsay). If I intend to sell it on, the existance of the COA will make a huge difference on my final selling price. I also have a miniature from around 1900 - because I have the original handwritten information on a separate piece of paper, this makes hundreds of dollars difference to this miniature. Maybe 50, 100, 200 years from now it might matter. Or it might not. I'd like to think that people will care about my work, and are a little more assured of it because they have a COA. (Whether it's fake or not, they will have to figure out for themselves. HAHAHAHAH!) ;) Just my thoughts and opinions. I have no wish to sway you on your own decisions re COAs - I'm not too keen on too many rules for artists, as most know. I do like people to be sure to put name with copyright symbol, year, signature, title, medium on the back of ACEOs though - that is a minimum as far as I'm concerned. I also add website, sometimes ebay id, identifier code. And HATE it if I get nothing or just a scrawled signature on the back. Again, that is my preference. ~Jillian