Most artists obsess over what goes on the front of the canvas—and rightly so. But far fewer pay serious attention to what happens on the back. That’s a mistake.

While it may not be as glamorous, the back of your artwork plays a quiet but crucial role in how professionally your work is perceived, how easily it’s handled in exhibitions and sales, and how confidently it moves through galleries and collectors’ hands.

Whether you’re preparing work for a show, shipping to a gallery, or organizing your studio inventory, taking a consistent, thoughtful approach to labeling the back of your artwork can make a surprising difference. Let’s break down what you should include, what you should leave off, and how to do it in a way that supports your business long-term.

The Goal: Clear, Concise, and Professional

Think of the back of your artwork as a form of documentation. You’re not writing an essay. You’re creating a durable, at-a-glance reference for anyone who handles or owns the piece—whether that’s you, a gallery, a collector, or a show organizer.

Your goal is to make it easy for someone to:

• Identify the work

• Contact you (if appropriate)

• Reference the piece in inventory, exhibition, or sales records

Done right, this becomes part of your professional presentation—quietly reinforcing that you take your art career seriously.

The Essential Information to Include

Here’s what I recommend including on the back of every piece:

1. Title of the artwork

2. Your full name

3. Medium

4. Dimensions (unframed)

5. Inventory number (more on this in a moment)

These five items are enough to orient anyone who handles the work, without clutter or confusion. You can add more if needed, but this is the baseline.

Depending on your medium and surface, you can either:

• Write this information directly on the back of the substrate (canvas, panel, etc.) using archival ink

• Affix a neatly printed label with the same details

• Use a professional-looking stamp with lines you fill in by hand

For framed work, place your label on the back of the backing board—not the frame itself, which may be changed later.

What to Leave Off (And Why It Matters)

There are two pieces of information I strongly recommend not including:

1. The date the piece was created

2. The price of the artwork

Why? Because both can quickly make your work feel outdated or devalued.

A date that’s more than a few years old can raise unnecessary questions—especially if the piece is still available. It may lead a gallery or collector to assume the work hasn’t sold because something is “wrong” with it, even if that’s not the case.

As for pricing, it’s rarely consistent across contexts. A piece priced at one level in your studio may be priced differently through a gallery or in a different market. Including a price locks that number in—and opens the door to confusion or negotiation that undermines your business model.

Instead, keep both of these pieces of information in your inventory records, not on the artwork itself.

Why Inventory Numbers Matter (Even If You Hate Admin)

If you’re not already using an inventory system, now is the time to start. A simple, consistent inventory number assigned to each piece helps you:

• Track where the work has been shown

• Record when (and if) it has sold

• Reference it quickly in conversations or paperwork

• Keep your records aligned if you’re managing editions or series

The inventory number you write on the back doesn’t need to be complicated. Something like “2407” (for the 7th piece created in 2024) is more than enough to stay organized—and looks clean and intentional when included on your label. Whatever works for you.

A Note for Sculptors, Photographers, and Works on Paper

If your medium doesn’t lend itself to writing directly on the artwork, attach a label to the base, backing, or mounting surface where it won’t be visible when displayed but can still be referenced when needed.

For framed works behind glass, use labels on the backing board or dust cover—not the frame or mat, which might be changed in the future.

And if your work ships in multiple parts or has specific installation instructions, include those instructions clearly and separately—but still reference the piece’s title and inventory number on each part.

Final Thoughts

Taking the time to label the back of your artwork may not feel creative—but it is part of your creative business. It signals to everyone who handles your work—from gallery directors to collectors to shippers—that you’re a professional who pays attention to detail.

More importantly, it saves you from headaches later. No more mystery pieces in your storage rack. No more second-guessing what that untitled panel from three years ago was supposed to be.

Do the future version of yourself a favor. Label your work cleanly, consistently, and confidently.