Artwork Card Editor Guide
The Artwork Card Editor creates a digitally signed HTML record containing the artwork information and photographic documentation.
Requirements
- an active Artist or Artist Procurator account;
- completed Key-Gen and a registered public key;
- the matching private key, installed in the browser or available as a PEM file;
- at least one available credit;
- between 4 and 8 JPEG images.
Editor and artwork information
The Editor & Signer and email fields are linked to the logged-in account. Complete the artist and artwork fields carefully, including:
- artist name and year of birth;
- artwork title, completion year and place of realisation;
- classification, edition and signature type;
- dimensions, medium or technique and description;
- artist biography and web page;
- provenance records and authenticity information;
- Artwork TAG and COA TAG serial numbers, when assigned.
TAG serial numbers must be entered as valid 8-digit numeric codes.
Images
Add a minimum of 4 and a maximum of 8 images. The first image must be a complete, front-facing image of the artwork because it is used as the principal card image and for Opera-ID enrolment.
Recommended documentation includes the front, rear, relevant details, the artist with the artwork and the signed paper certificate of authenticity where available.
Images are resized and compressed before being embedded in the Artwork Card. Review the image order before submission.
Recommendations for the first artwork image
The first image is the most important one for the correct creation of the Artwork Card.
It is recommended to photograph the artwork against a neutral background, preferably white, with uniform lighting and without reflections, strong shadows, or visible objects around the artwork.
The artwork should fill the camera frame as much as possible, leaving only a small margin around the edges, equal to a few centimeters of neutral background. This helps show the entire artwork without cutting off borders, frame, or peripheral details.
Before taking the photo, select the most suitable aspect ratio according to the shape of the artwork. Smartphone cameras usually allow you to choose formats such as:
• 1:1 for square artworks;
• 3:4 or 4:3 for vertical or horizontal rectangular artworks;
• 9:16 or 16:9 for very vertical or horizontal artworks;
• Full only if it is actually suitable for the shape of the artwork and does not cause cropping or distortion.
The goal is to obtain a frontal, centered, well-proportioned image, showing the complete artwork with only the minimum necessary background.
Image quality
Images must be captured at high resolution to ensure better archiving, correct display in the Artwork Card, and more accurate documentation of the artwork.
When possible, use natural or diffused lighting, avoid direct flash, and keep the camera parallel to the plane of the artwork.
For artworks of large dimensions, glossy surfaces, or materials that are difficult to photograph, the support of a professional photographer is recommended.
Private-key signature
When Create Artwork Card is selected, the editor uses the private key installed in the current browser. If no valid key is installed, the page requests the matching private PEM file.
The private key is verified against the public key registered for the account. A key belonging to another account, a public-key file or an invalid PEM file is rejected.
Load a previous card
Load a card imports reusable textual information from an existing card owned by the account. It does not edit the original card.
Images and TAG serial numbers are deliberately not imported and must be selected or entered again. Submission creates a new Artwork Card with a new number, hash and signature.
Submission and credit use
Creating the card:
- generates the signed HTML Artwork Card;
- calculates its SHA-256 hash;
- saves the card in Veralinx;
- uses one credit;
- sets the status to pending_validation.
New cards use these initial settings:
- Search Card listing: no — the card is not listed in public Search Card results;
- Privacy: no — editor identity is visible in public card views;
- Location logging: yes — Opera-ID events may store the approximate scan location.
These settings can be changed later in Manage Card without altering the original card content, hash or digital signature.
After submission
Use Manage Card to follow the status. A rejected card shows the review note and may be deleted. Pending or rejected cards can be deleted only while they have no blockchain or certificate record.
After validation and notarisation, the blockchain transaction and Record Certificate become available. Opera-ID status appears after enrolment of the artwork image.