Quick Tips for Getting the Most from Sourcemark
Fifteen things worth knowing as you build your library of sourcemarked work.
Start with your most important work
You don't need to sourcemark everything at once. Begin with the files that matter most — your best portfolio pieces, client deliverables, or anything already circulating online. You can always come back and add more.
Use descriptive titles
The title you give a record appears on its public verification page. “IMG_4821.jpg” tells visitors nothing. “Coastal Sunset — Cornwall, 2025” tells them everything they need to know.
Add tags early
Tags are easy to skip when you're recording one or two files. But once your library grows past a few dozen records, you'll want them. Add them as you go — it's faster than going back later.
Share your verification link with clients
Every record has a unique verification page that anyone can view without an account. Send it to clients alongside your deliverables. It shows your AI training stance and proves the record is yours.
Use badges on your portfolio or website
Sourcemark provides embeddable badges you can add to your website, online portfolio, or anywhere you display your work. They link directly to your verification page.
Set up your email signature
Sourcemark generates a signature image you can add to your email client. It's a passive, always-on way to signal that your work is sourcemarked — no extra effort after the initial setup.
Group related work in collections
Collections let you organize records by client, project, year, or however you think about your files. They're especially useful when sharing a body of work or managing records for multiple clients.
Set discoverable visibility for your public profile
If you want a record to appear on your public Sourcemark profile, set its visibility to discoverable. This makes it findable by anyone browsing the registry — useful if you want maximum visibility for your consent declarations.
Update your AI training choice when circumstances change
Your preferences are not locked in. If you change your mind about whether a piece of work is available for training, update the setting on that record. Sourcemark preserves the full history of changes, so the timeline of your decisions stays intact.
Add C2PA-enabled files for stronger provenance
If your camera or editing software supports C2PA content credentials, Sourcemark detects and preserves them automatically. It's not required — standard fingerprinting works for any file — but C2PA adds an extra layer of verifiable provenance.
Use bulk operations for large backlogs
If you have dozens or hundreds of files to record, you don't need to do them one at a time. Bulk operations let you sourcemark multiple files in a single session, applying the same preferences across the batch.
Print QR codes for physical work
Sourcemark generates QR codes that link to your verification page. These work well for gallery exhibitions, printed portfolios, packaging, or anywhere your work exists in the physical world.
Your files never leave your device
When you sourcemark a file, the fingerprinting happens locally in your browser. Only the fingerprints are sent to the registry — never the file itself. Your originals stay on your machine.
Absence of a Sourcemark is not consent
If a file has no Sourcemark record, that does not mean the creator has given permission for AI training. Encourage other creators in your network to sourcemark their work — the more people who participate, the more useful the registry becomes for everyone.
Keep your licensing contact details up to date
If you've made work available by licence, your contact information is how interested parties reach you. Check it periodically and update it if your email, website, or representation changes.
New to Sourcemark? Learn what Sourcemark is or create your first record.