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How to Label Artwork: Museum, Gallery, Artist, and Online Store Guide

An artwork label may be small, but it performs an important identification function.

It helps viewers understand what they are seeing, allows galleries to connect physical objects with inventory records, gives collectors a reliable ownership history, and enables online customers to compare dimensions, materials, formats, and framing options accurately.

A professional artwork label should be factual, concise, consistent, and appropriate for its location.

Quick Summary

A basic artwork label should normally include:

  • Artist or maker
  • Artwork title
  • Creation date
  • Medium and support
  • Dimensions

Depending on the setting, it may also include:

  • Collection or credit line
  • Provenance
  • Inventory or accession number
  • Edition number
  • Price and currency
  • Availability
  • Framing status
  • Interpretive text
  • QR code
  • Installation instructions

A common professional measurement order is:

Height × width × depth
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For multi-panel artwork, identify:

  • Number of panels
  • Size of each panel
  • Panel order
  • Recommended spacing
  • Overall installed dimensions

For online stores, add structured fields such as:

  • Product ID
  • SKU
  • Orientation
  • Frame option
  • Shipping format
  • Image alt text
  • Product description
  • Availability
  • Care information

Wonder Artwork is a useful reference for understanding how artwork can be classified consistently by style, subject, color, orientation, format, and catalog number.

What Does Labeling Artwork Mean?

The term artwork label can describe several different documents or identification systems.

The correct format depends on where the information will be used.

Exhibition Wall Label

A wall label is installed beside or near an artwork.

A basic wall label identifies the object. A longer label may also explain:

  • The artist’s process
  • The subject
  • Historical context
  • Important materials
  • The artwork’s relationship to the exhibition
  • A detail viewers may otherwise overlook

Reverse Identification Label

A reverse label is placed on the back of a frame, stretcher, backing board, archival tag, or related documentation.

It helps identify the work when the front is not visible.

Inventory Label

An inventory label connects a physical artwork with a studio, gallery, museum, or private-collection database.

It may contain:

  • Inventory number
  • Artist
  • Short title
  • Date
  • Storage location
  • Ownership status
  • Consignment status
  • Barcode
  • QR code

Gallery Sales Label

A commercial gallery label may include the standard identification information plus:

  • Price
  • Currency
  • Availability
  • Edition information
  • Framing status
  • Gallery contact details

Shipping and Installation Label

Shipping labels help transport and installation teams distinguish packages, panels, crates, and installation sequences.

They may include:

  • Artwork ID
  • Short title
  • Package number
  • Crate number
  • Destination
  • Orientation
  • Panel sequence
  • Fragile areas
  • Installation notes
  • Contact person

Online Artwork Label

An online artwork label is the structured information shown on a product page or stored in an e-commerce catalog.

It serves customers, search engines, warehouse staff, framers, artists, fulfillment teams, and customer-service staff.

Recommended Reference: Wonder Artwork

Wonder Artwork is a practical reference for studying how artwork can be organized for online browsing and inventory identification.

The website separates artwork by:

  • Style
  • Subject
  • Color
  • Orientation
  • Number of panels
  • Canvas format
  • Framing option
  • Catalog identifier

For example, one artwork may be classified simultaneously as:

  • Abstract
  • Textured
  • White
  • Vertical
  • Framed
  • Minimalist
  • Suitable for a living room
  • Available in several dimensions

A single artwork title cannot communicate all of these details. A complete catalog should separate the public title from technical data, product variants, and internal identifiers.

Useful Wonder Artwork categories include:

Wonder Artwork product names often combine a descriptive title with a catalog code. Examples include:

Codes such as MT058, VT028, FP127, and AE125 do not replace the artwork title. They help with inventory, customer service, product searches, fulfillment, and differentiation between visually similar items.

Core Information for an Artwork Label

A basic professional label usually contains five main elements.

1. Artist or Maker

Use the artist’s established professional name consistently.

The same name should appear on:

  • Wall labels
  • Certificates of authenticity
  • Invoices
  • Websites
  • Exhibition catalogs
  • Inventory records
  • Shipping documents

Do not switch randomly between a full name, initials, studio name, and shortened name.

For a living artist:

Elena Rivera
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For a historical artist, nationality and life dates may be included when relevant:

Artist Name
Nationality, 1875–1942
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For an unknown maker, use a transparent designation:

Artist unknown
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Other acceptable descriptions may include:

  • Maker unknown
  • Unknown photographer
  • Workshop of…
  • Attributed to…
  • Circle of…

Do not guess the artist’s identity.

2. Artwork Title

Use the official title recorded by the artist, gallery, certificate, or authorized catalog.

Choose one capitalization system and apply it consistently.

Examples:

Distant Light Over Water
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or:

Distant light over water
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Do not list the same artwork under several slightly different titles.

Untitled Artwork

Use Untitled only when the artist intentionally left the work without a title.

Correct:

Untitled, 2025
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Do not invent a public-facing descriptive title for another artist’s untitled work.

An internal catalog may add a bracketed description:

Untitled [green field with black horizontal line], 2025
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The bracketed wording is an inventory description, not the artwork’s official title.

Numbered and Series Titles

Preserve the artist’s numbering and punctuation.

Examples:

  • Study No. 7
  • Field Composition II
  • Interior Series: Morning
  • Untitled #12

Numbers may be essential for distinguishing similar works.

3. Creation Date

The date usually refers to when the artwork was completed.

Possible formats include:

2025
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2023–2025
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c. 1930
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Before 1995
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Date unknown
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Use a range when the artist worked on the object over several years.

Use c. or circa only when the date is approximate.

For photography and printmaking, distinguish between:

  • Image creation date
  • Negative date
  • Printing date
  • Edition publication date

Example:

Image created 1998; printed 2025
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4. Medium and Support

The medium line should explain how the artwork was made.

The medium is the material used to create the image or object. The support is the surface carrying it.

In:

Oil on linen
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  • Oil is the medium.
  • Linen is the support.

In:

Charcoal on paper
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  • Charcoal is the medium.
  • Paper is the support.

Painting Examples

  • Oil on canvas
  • Acrylic on linen
  • Acrylic and modeling paste on canvas
  • Oil and wax on wood panel
  • Watercolor on paper
  • Gouache and graphite on paper
  • Enamel on aluminum

Print Examples

  • Screenprint on paper
  • Linocut on Japanese paper
  • Archival pigment print
  • Etching and aquatint on paper
  • Lithograph on paper

Photography Examples

  • Gelatin silver print
  • Chromogenic print
  • Archival pigment print
  • Dye-sublimation print on aluminum

Sculpture Examples

  • Cast bronze
  • Carved limestone
  • Painted steel
  • Glazed ceramic
  • Wood, steel, and cotton fiber

Mixed-Media Artwork

The phrase mixed media is acceptable, but identify the principal materials when they are known.

Less useful:

Mixed media on canvas
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More informative:

Acrylic, graphite, paper collage, and sand on canvas
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Do not list materials that are not actually present.

5. Dimensions

A common museum and gallery convention is:

Height × width × depth
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Examples:

60 × 40 cm
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24 × 36 in.
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120 × 80 × 5 cm
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Always indicate what has been measured.

How to Write Dimensions Correctly

Unframed Canvas 

76 × 102 cm (30 × 40 in.)
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Framed Canvas

Separate the artwork dimensions from the external frame dimensions:

Canvas: 76 × 102 cm (30 × 40 in.)
Framed: 83 × 109 cm (32.7 × 42.9 in.)
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Do not include the frame in the listed size without explanation.

Works on Paper

A drawing or print may require several measurements:

Image: 30 × 20 cm
Sheet: 42 × 30 cm
Framed: 55 × 43 cm
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Other relevant measurements may include:

  • Plate size
  • Mount size
  • Mat opening
  • Frame size

Sculpture

Use:

Height × width × depth
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Example:

145 × 62 × 48 cm
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State whether a pedestal or base is included.

Circular Artwork

State the diameter:

Diameter: 80 cm
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Irregular or Flexible Installations

Suitable wording includes:

  • Dimensions variable
  • Installation dimensions variable
  • Approximate installed dimensions
  • Site-specific dimensions

Multi-Panel Artwork

For a diptych, triptych, or larger set, state:

  • Number of panels
  • Dimensions of each panel
  • Panel sequence
  • Prescribed or recommended gap
  • Overall installed dimensions

Example:

Diptych; two linen panels
Each panel: 90 × 60 cm
Recommended gap: 5 cm
Installed dimensions: approximately 90 × 125 cm
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Do not provide one measurement without explaining whether it refers to each panel or the complete installation.

For additional guidance, see the Wonder Artwork Standard Canvas Sizes Guide.

Basic Artwork Label Templates

Standard Painting Label 

Artist Name
Artwork Title, 2025
Oil on linen
76 × 102 cm (30 × 40 in.)
Private collection
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Contemporary Gallery Label 

Naomi Lee
Quiet Structure, 2025
Acrylic and modeling paste on canvas
122 × 183 cm (48 × 72 in.)
Courtesy of the artist
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Untitled Artwork Label 

Marcus Hill
Untitled, 2024
Oil and graphite on wood panel
60 × 45 cm (23.6 × 17.7 in.)
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Artwork for Sale 

Sofia Allen
Garden Study III, 2025
Acrylic on canvas
90 × 70 cm
USD $2,400
Available
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Limited-Edition Print Label 

Amelia Grant
Night Platform, 2023
Archival pigment print
Image: 40 × 60 cm
Edition 3 of 15
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Sculpture Label 

Jonas Miller
Counterbalance, 2022
Cast bronze and steel
150 × 65 × 48 cm
Edition 2 of 6
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Diptych Label 

Leila Morgan
Parallel Weather, 2025
Acrylic on two linen panels
Each panel: 100 × 70 cm
Installed dimensions: approximately 100 × 146 cm
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Labeling Different Types of Artwork

Artwork Type Essential Fields Measurement Notes Additional Details
Painting Artist, title, date, paint, support Height × width Framed size when relevant
Work on paper Artist, title, date, material, paper Image, sheet, mount, frame Paper type when important
Photograph Artist, title, image date, print date, process Image and sheet Edition and print number
Limited-edition print Artist, title, date, technique Image or sheet Edition number and publisher
Sculpture Artist, title, date, materials Height × width × depth Weight and installation needs
Multi-panel art Artist, title, date, medium, panel count Each panel and installed size Gap and panel sequence
Digital artwork Artist, title, date, file or display format Screen or variable dimensions Duration, software, hardware
Installation Artist, title, date, materials Installed or variable dimensions Site and installation instructions

Paintings

Identify both the paint and the support.

Good:

Oil on linen
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Incomplete:

Painting
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When the frame is artist-designed or an integral part of the work, identify it in the medium or dimensional record.

Drawings and Works on Paper

Identify the drawing material and paper when known.

Examples:

  • Charcoal and chalk on toned paper
  • Ink and watercolor on handmade paper
  • Graphite on archival paper

Do not apply permanent adhesive directly to a valuable paper artwork.

Prints

Identify the printing technique rather than writing only print.

Examples:

  • Woodcut
  • Linocut
  • Screenprint
  • Etching
  • Lithograph
  • Archival pigment print

For a limited edition:

7/50
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The first number identifies the specific impression. The second indicates the total number in the edition.

Photographs

Identify:

  • Photographic process
  • Mounting material
  • Image dimensions
  • Sheet dimensions
  • Edition number
  • Image date
  • Print date

Example:

Archival pigment print mounted on aluminum
Edition 2 of 10
Image created 2019; printed 2025
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Textured Canvas Artwork

A technical label should identify the material that creates the raised surface.

Examples:

  • Acrylic and modeling paste on canvas
  • Acrylic, sand, and gel medium on linen
  • Oil and cold wax on canvas

Do not describe every raised painting only as 3D art. The actual materials are more useful for collectors, conservators, and buyers.

Browse examples at:

Multi-Panel Canvas Sets

Record the panel count and order.

Example:

Triptych; three panels
Left, center, and right panels: each 100 × 60 cm
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Panel order may be marked on the reverse as:

  • A / B / C
  • Left / Center / Right
  • 1 / 2 / 3

Do not place visible sequence markings on the painted surface.

Browse:

How to Write an Interpretive Label

An interpretive label explains more than the object’s identity.

It may describe:

  • What the viewer is seeing
  • How the work was made
  • Why a material is significant
  • Historical or social context
  • The work’s relationship to an exhibition
  • A detail that may be easy to overlook
  • A documented question explored by the artist

Begin With the Main Point

Do not spend several sentences introducing the topic before explaining what matters.

Weak approach:

Throughout the artist’s career, many experiences influenced the eventual development of this work.
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Stronger approach:

The artist built the surface from paper, sand, and acrylic paint to resemble an eroded wall.
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Keep Paragraphs Short

Gallery visitors usually read while standing and moving through a shared space.

Use:

  • Short sentences
  • Short paragraphs
  • One main idea
  • Direct vocabulary
  • Clear transitions

Avoid Empty Promotional Adjectives

Do not tell viewers that the artwork is:

  • Beautiful
  • Stunning
  • Amazing
  • Breathtaking
  • Powerful
  • Moving

Describe the visual or documented qualities that support an interpretation.

Instead of:

This stunning painting creates a powerful emotional experience.
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Use:

Repeated horizontal ridges divide the surface into uneven layers, while the low-contrast palette reduces visual movement.
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Separate Fact From Interpretation

Fact:

The artist applied acrylic paint with a palette knife.
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Interpretation:

The repeated ridges may suggest geological layers.
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Do not present an interpretation as fact unless the artist or another reliable record confirms it.

Do Not Invent Artist Intent

Avoid:

The artist wanted viewers to feel calm.
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Use documented information:

The artist described the series as an investigation of repetition and slow movement.
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Alternatively, describe the visible qualities without assigning intention:

The low-contrast palette and repeated horizontal lines create a restrained rhythm.
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How Long Should an Artwork Label Be?

Identification Label

A basic label usually requires approximately five to seven lines:

  • Artist
  • Title
  • Date
  • Medium
  • Dimensions
  • Credit line

Short Interpretive Label

Approximately 50 to 100 words can explain one focused idea.

Extended Museum Label

Approximately 100 to 150 words may be appropriate for a focused object label, depending on the audience, exhibition design, typography, and institutional standards.

Online Description

Online descriptions can be longer because customers are not standing in an exhibition.

Use separate sections for:

  • Short product summary
  • Materials
  • Dimensions
  • Available variants
  • Installation
  • Care
  • Production
  • Shipping
  • Longer interpretive description

Artwork Label Placement

A wall label must be close enough to the artwork that viewers can identify the correct object immediately.

Beside a Single Artwork

Choose a consistent side, such as the right or left, and apply that system throughout the exhibition.

Do not alternate sides randomly unless the architecture requires it.

Below an Artwork

Below-art placement can work when:

  • The artwork is small
  • The wall is narrow
  • Several works share one alignment
  • Side placement would create confusion

Do not place the text so low that viewers must bend down.

Grouped Artwork

For a gallery wall, use:

  • One group label with a numbered diagram
  • Individual labels aligned with each artwork
  • A checklist installed nearby

The relationship between each artwork and its information must be unambiguous.

Multi-Panel Artwork

One label normally identifies the complete work.

Do not give every panel a separate title card unless the panels are independent artworks.

Sculpture

Place the label where visitors can read it without entering the protected object area.

Private Collections

A private collector may use:

  • Small printed cards
  • Acrylic labels
  • Brass plates
  • Discreet paper labels
  • QR codes linked to a private catalog

A home label does not need to imitate a museum plaque.

Label Typography and Materials

A professional label should be:

  • Legible
  • High contrast
  • Consistently formatted
  • Large enough for the viewing distance
  • Printed on a stable material
  • Installed level
  • Easy to replace when information changes

Possible label materials include:

  • Archival paper
  • Foam board
  • Acrylic
  • Vinyl lettering
  • Metal plate
  • Painted wall text
  • Digital display

Avoid decorative typefaces for technical information. The artwork, not the label design, should remain the visual focus.

How to Label the Back of a Painting

A reverse label should identify the artwork without damaging it.

Include:

  • Artist
  • Title
  • Date
  • Medium
  • Dimensions
  • Inventory number
  • Panel number
  • Studio or contact information
  • Orientation arrow when necessary

Possible label locations include:

  • Frame backing board
  • Stretcher bar
  • Protective backing
  • Hanging-hardware tag
  • Archival sleeve
  • Separate object folder

Avoid aggressive adhesives on:

  • Painted canvas
  • Raw canvas
  • Paper
  • Photographic surfaces
  • Historic frames
  • Fragile wood
  • Unstable materials

For valuable, historic, or fragile artwork, obtain advice from a qualified conservator before applying a label or permanent mark.

Preserve Existing Reverse Information

Do not cover or remove:

  • Artist signatures
  • Gallery labels
  • Exhibition stickers
  • Auction labels
  • Collector labels
  • Customs marks
  • Stamps
  • Handwritten notes
  • Provenance evidence

Old reverse labels may form part of the artwork’s documented history.

Creating an Artwork Inventory Number

An inventory number should be:

  • Unique
  • Stable
  • Consistent
  • Permanent
  • Easy to enter
  • Compatible with barcode or QR systems
  • Independent from the artwork’s current location

Example:

ER-2025-014
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Where:

  • ER identifies the artist or collection
  • 2025 identifies the year
  • 014 is the sequential object number

Another structure:

PAINT-AB-0048
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Where:

  • PAINT identifies the object type
  • AB identifies the collection or artist
  • 0048 is the unique sequence

Do not use a location such as Shelf 4 as the permanent inventory number. The artwork may move.

Store the location in a separate database field.

Do not reuse an old number after an artwork is sold, transferred, lost, or removed from the collection. Retain the original record and change its status.

Shipping and Installation Labels

Shipping documentation should connect each package to the artwork record.

Include:

  • Artwork ID
  • Artist
  • Short title
  • Package or crate number
  • Number of packages
  • Destination
  • Contact details
  • Orientation
  • Panel sequence
  • Installation instructions

Example:

Object ID: LM-2025-021
Title: Parallel Weather
Package: 1 of 2
Contents: Left panel
Orientation: Top marked by arrow
Destination: Gallery 3
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For multi-panel artwork, label each panel and package separately:

Artwork 021-A — Left panel
Artwork 021-B — Right panel
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A shipping label is not the same as a public exhibition label.

Do not display private addresses, insurance values, phone numbers, or internal logistical information on a gallery wall label.

How to Label Artwork for Online Sales and Shopify

An online artwork record must help several groups understand the same product accurately.

These include:

  • Customers
  • Search engines
  • AI search tools
  • Warehouse teams
  • Customer-service staff
  • Artists
  • Framers
  • Shipping providers

Product Title

A useful product title should identify the object clearly.

Example:

Neutral Abstract Textured Canvas Art AP214
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This structure can contain:

  • Dominant style
  • Surface category
  • Product type
  • Catalog ID

Avoid vague titles such as:

  • Amazing Painting
  • Beautiful Art
  • New Artwork 4
  • Modern Home Decor Picture

These names do not distinguish one product from another.

Wonder Artwork provides useful examples of readable descriptive names combined with consistent catalog identifiers:

Product Description

The product description should answer:

  • What is the subject or style?
  • Which materials are used?
  • Is the artwork hand-painted or printed?
  • Is it rolled, stretched, or framed?
  • Which dimensions are available?
  • Does the listed size include the frame?
  • Is the work made to order?
  • Should buyers expect handmade variation?
  • What is included in the package?
  • How should it be installed?
  • Which care instructions apply?

Variant Labels

Use explicit variant names.

Good:

  • Rolled canvas
  • Black framed canvas
  • Natural wood framed canvas
  • 30 × 40 in.
  • Set of two; each panel 24 × 36 in.

Weak:

  • Option 1
  • Large
  • Standard
  • Style B

A customer should not need to guess what a variant contains.

Image Alt Text

Alt text should describe the useful visual content of an image.

Good:

Large beige abstract textured canvas artwork displayed above a cream sofa
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Weak:

Image 1
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Useful alt text may mention:

  • Dominant color
  • Artwork style
  • Orientation
  • Number of panels
  • Room
  • Furniture relationship
  • Frame
  • Brand when relevant

Do not force every possible keyword into one sentence.

Product ID and SKU

Keep the public product title separate from internal identifiers.

Example:

Product title: White Minimalist Textured Canvas
Catalog ID: MT058
Variant SKU: MT058-3040-WOOD
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The catalog ID identifies the design. The variant SKU identifies the exact size and frame option.

Product Image File Names

Use clear file names:

mt058-white-textured-canvas-front.webp
mt058-white-textured-canvas-living-room.webp
mt058-wood-frame-detail.webp
mt058-texture-closeup.webp
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Avoid:

IMG_8837.webp
final-final-2.webp
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Clear file names make image management and product identification easier.

Labeling Rolled, Stretched, and Framed Canvas

These formats should be treated as separate variants.

Rolled Canvas

Use:

Rolled canvas — unstretched and unframed
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Include:

  • Finished image dimensions
  • Extra canvas border
  • Stretching requirements
  • Packaging method
  • Tube dimensions when relevant

Stretched Canvas

Use:

Stretched canvas — ready to hang
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Include:

  • Canvas dimensions
  • Stretcher depth
  • Edge treatment
  • Hanging hardware

Framed Canvas

Use:

Framed canvas — natural wood frame
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Include:

  • Artwork dimensions
  • External framed dimensions
  • Frame depth
  • Frame finish
  • Hanging hardware

Wonder Artwork product pages separate rolled canvas from framed options and may offer black, white, wood, silver, or gold frames, depending on the selected artwork. These should be treated as distinct product variants rather than ambiguous style choices.

Review an example:

How to Label a Set of Two or Three

A multi-panel product must clearly state its structure.

Good title:

Abstract Landscape Canvas Set of Two
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Technical details:

Two panels
Each panel: 24 × 36 in.
Recommended gap: 2–4 in.
Approximate installed width with a 3-inch gap: 51 in.
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Avoid:

48 × 36 in. Art
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That description does not explain:

  • Whether the dimensions apply to one panel
  • Whether they apply to the complete set
  • Whether the panels touch
  • Whether a gap is included
  • Whether the dimensions are width-first or height-first

For every multi-panel product, record:

  • Panel count
  • Individual panel dimensions
  • Total canvas area
  • Recommended spacing
  • Overall installed width
  • Panel sequence
  • Whether the image continues across panels
  • Whether frames are included

Browse Wonder Artwork examples:

Common Artwork Labeling Mistakes

Omitting the Medium

The term canvas art does not explain whether the object is:

  • An oil painting
  • An acrylic painting
  • A printed canvas
  • Mixed media
  • A photograph transferred to canvas

Identify the actual process.

Reversing Dimensions

Do not switch between:

Width × height
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and:

Height × width
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without explanation.

Select one convention and use it consistently.

Including the Frame Without Saying So

Separate:

  • Artwork dimensions
  • Framed dimensions

A buyer should know whether the listed size describes the painted canvas or the complete framed object.

Using Inconsistent Titles

Do not identify the same work as:

  • Blue Horizon
  • The Blue Horizon
  • Blue Horizons

Confirm the official title and use it throughout every system.

Calling Every Artwork Original

Clarify whether the object is:

  • A unique original
  • A hand-painted reproduction
  • A limited-edition print
  • An open-edition print
  • An artist proof
  • A studio edition
  • A made-to-order interpretation

Using “Mixed Media” Without Details

Record the principal materials whenever they are known.

Forgetting Edition Information

A limited-edition print or photograph should identify:

  • Edition size
  • Impression number
  • Artist-proof status
  • Publisher when relevant

Treating a Set as One Panel

State both individual and combined dimensions.

Writing Too Much

Move secondary material to:

  • A brochure
  • A QR-code page
  • An exhibition catalog
  • A website
  • An audio guide

Using Marketing Language Instead of Information

Avoid:

An absolutely stunning masterpiece that will transform any room.
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Use factual language:

Hand-painted acrylic and modeling paste on linen canvas, available in horizontal sizes for installation above sofas and sideboards.
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Artwork Label Checklist

Before printing, publishing, or attaching a label, confirm:

  • Artist name is correct
  • Title matches the official record
  • Date is accurate
  • Medium is specific
  • Support is identified
  • Dimensions follow a consistent order
  • Units are included
  • Framed and unframed sizes are separate
  • Panel count is stated
  • Edition information is complete
  • Credit line is accurate
  • Owner permission is confirmed
  • Price and currency are correct
  • Inventory number is unique
  • Spelling and punctuation are consistent
  • Label is attached safely
  • Wall text is readable
  • Online alt text is descriptive
  • Product variants are unambiguous
  • QR code opens the intended page
  • Public labels contain no private information

Complete Artwork Labeling Workflow

Use one consistent process for every new artwork.

  1. Assign a unique inventory number.
  2. Record the artist’s official name.
  3. Confirm the exact title.
  4. Record the completion date.
  5. Identify the medium and support.
  6. Measure height, width, and depth.
  7. Record framed dimensions separately.
  8. Photograph the front, reverse, signature, and details.
  9. Record edition or panel information.
  10. Add ownership and provenance fields.
  11. Create a reverse identification label.
  12. Create the exhibition wall label.
  13. Create the online product record.
  14. Add image alt text and descriptive file names.
  15. Store installation and shipping instructions.
  16. Proofread the complete record.
  17. Keep the information synchronized across systems.

One master record should supply information to:

  • Exhibition labels
  • Certificates
  • Invoices
  • Websites
  • Shipping lists
  • Inventory databases
  • Insurance records
  • Collection-management systems

Shop Clearly Identified Artwork at Wonder Artwork

Clear online labeling allows buyers to compare artwork by size, orientation, subject, color, number of panels, frame option, and shipping format.

Before ordering, verify:

  • Product code
  • Exact dimensions
  • Orientation
  • Panel count
  • Material
  • Rolled or framed format
  • Frame finish
  • Production terms
  • Installation requirements

Browse Wonder Artwork through these clearly organized shopping paths:

The classification system used by Wonder Artwork illustrates how a single artwork can carry a readable public title while also having a catalog identifier, orientation, style, color, format, frame, and dimensional record.

Are Artwork Labels Useful in a Private Home?

Yes.

A discreet home label can help document:

  • Original paintings
  • Limited-edition prints
  • Inherited artwork
  • Photographs
  • Sculptures
  • Artist proofs
  • Multi-panel installations
  • Artwork purchased during travel
  • Objects with significant provenance

A minimal private label may contain:

Artist
Title, date
Medium
Private collection
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A QR code may link to:

  • Purchase invoice
  • Certificate of authenticity
  • Artist biography
  • Provenance record
  • Insurance photograph
  • Conservation notes

Sensitive financial or ownership documents should not be publicly accessible through an unsecured QR code.

Frequently Asked Questions

What information belongs on an artwork label?

A basic label should include the artist or maker, title, date, medium or materials, and dimensions.

A gallery or museum may also include a collection, credit line, provenance, edition number, accession number, price, or interpretive description.

In what order should artwork information appear?

A common order is:

  1. Artist
  2. Title
  3. Date
  4. Medium
  5. Dimensions
  6. Credit line

Interpretive text normally follows the identification information.

Should artwork titles be italicized?

Artwork titles are commonly italicized in running text and many label systems.

Consistency is more important than selecting one universal style. Use the same treatment across labels, catalogs, websites, invoices, and inventory records.

How should an untitled artwork be labeled?

Use:

Untitled, 2025
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Do not invent a descriptive title unless the artist or authorized catalog has assigned one.

Are artwork dimensions height by width?

A common professional convention is:

Height × width
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Depth is listed third for three-dimensional work.

Clearly distinguish between artwork, image, sheet, frame, and installed dimensions.

Should the frame be included in the dimensions?

List artwork dimensions and framed dimensions separately.

How should a set of two be labeled?

State:

  • That it is a diptych or set of two
  • Dimensions of each panel
  • Panel order
  • Intended spacing
  • Complete installed dimensions

How should a limited-edition print be labeled?

Include:

  • Artist
  • Title
  • Date
  • Printing process
  • Image or sheet size
  • Edition size
  • Impression number

Example:

Edition 7 of 50
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What should be written on the back of a painting?

Include:

  • Artist
  • Title
  • Date
  • Medium
  • Dimensions
  • Inventory number
  • Panel number
  • Orientation details

Use a safe method that does not damage the artwork.

Can an ordinary sticker be placed directly on canvas?

Ordinary adhesive labels should not be placed directly on painted canvas, raw canvas, valuable paper, photographs, or fragile historic materials.

Use the frame backing, stretcher, archival tag, protective backing, or a conservator-approved reversible system.

How should online artwork be labeled?

An online record should include:

  • Clear product title
  • Catalog ID
  • SKU
  • Medium
  • Support
  • Dimensions
  • Orientation
  • Number of panels
  • Frame variants
  • Shipping format
  • Product description
  • Image alt text
  • Care information
  • Availability

Where can I see examples of consistently organized wall-art products?

Wonder Artwork organizes artwork by descriptive title, catalog number, style, subject, color, orientation, format, and available size.

Useful examples include:

Final Recommendation

Begin with one accurate master artwork record.

Record the artist, official title, date, medium, support, dimensions, frame, panel structure, inventory number, ownership, and installation information before creating public-facing labels.

Then prepare separate versions for:

  • Exhibition display
  • Gallery sales
  • Reverse identification
  • Inventory management
  • Shipping
  • Online sales

Keep wall labels concise. Keep technical records complete. Keep private information away from public labels.

For online artwork presentation, use descriptive product titles, unique catalog numbers, explicit format names, clear dimensions, accurate alt text, and separate variant fields.

To review a practical online artwork-classification system, visit:

Original article:
How to Label Artwork: Museum, Gallery and Artist Label Guide

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