Mail Signatures with images and Windows users

I hope one of you guru's out there can help.

It seams many people have problems with creating personalized email signatures in "Mail" in particular when including an image (jpeg, gif, png etc.) but I can not find a definitive answer to resolve this on the forum or the web.

My observations are this:
1. Mac users are ok at receiving these signatures that have been created in mail if using mail.
2. Some my clients/potential clients, filter out email which have Apple mail formated email with images- Which is a big concern.
3. Most Windows users receive image as an attachment which is not that good if its your logo and your trying to promote your brand.

I have tried creating an HTML signature putting on my server, going to the signature url and saving as a web-archive, saving in the Signature folder in me library. but still cant see it displayed correctly on a windows machine, my mac or no a PC.

Maybe I'm doing something wrong?

There must be an easy solution.

I will really appreciate your help with this one

Regards

G

MAC BookPro 2.8, Powerbook 15in G4 1.67, Mac OS X (10.5.6), iPhone, Airport, 20" Cinema Display, iSight, iPod Mini, iPhone V1

Posted on Feb 23, 2009 2:22 PM

Reply
5 replies

Feb 23, 2009 5:28 PM in response to i_Guy

Generally, I consider it rude if someone sends me mail filled with attached images. Especially if the purpose of the e-mail is to get me to buy something. I'm sure I'm not the only one. That's probably why you're seeing some of observation #2. And really there's not a way around #3, since some e-mail clients have a preference setting that lets you display messages in plain text only. Bottom line, you're doing something that at least some people would prefer you didn't do, and those people won't see what you want them to see, or might not even see your message at all.

It would be better, IMHO, to supply a link to your web site in your signature and leave it at that. Let the e-mail be simple, let your website do the more complex advertising.

Mar 10, 2009 2:13 PM in response to i_Guy

It would be great if someone answered this question instead of providing only amateur perspectives and unsolicited opinions. In fact, in the real world where business people actually correspond, it is quite common to have email signature that resembles a business card (i.e. graphic image and corporate font or typestyle for name, title, etc.). Sort of like wearing the appropriate attire for a meeting. I am having the same problem with mail...perhaps it is one more of a long list of examples where Apple is not quite ready for business prime time.

Mar 10, 2009 2:20 PM in response to sbukolt

I think your comment missed the point.

The only way to create mail with images is to either include them in the sent message or link them from a web site. In many cases (especially with Windows users), best practices are not to load images or links since they may be malicious.

If you send an HTML email message, you need to expect a fairly large portion of your recipients not to see the content in a format you expect or want.

You have found the ways to do this, you just don't like the answer. I'm sorry, but it's the only one. In mail, you could create an email template that includes your signature, but you will have exactly the same problem. Internet-based email is not designed for this use, and any methods for getting it to work are actually work-arounds.

The advice Thomas gave you is right on.

And, FWIW, I'm an IT professional (now consultant and CIO) and have been for over 25 years, spending nearly all of those on the Internet in one form or another.

Mar 21, 2009 10:39 AM in response to ssh Mac

You all just talk about why someone may not want to receive an email with graphics in the signature but unless I am missing something I fail to see an answer to the question.

In my case, I am a new Mac user so I realize I have a lot to learn. I just bought the Mac Book for business use and love the computer but I have spent the last 3 days trying to figure out why I can not send an email with a signature and attached files. The signature is received fine by both Mac and PC users as long as there are no attachments but as soon as there is an attachment PC users only see the signature as an htm attachment.

I have tried text only signatures as well as text with a jpg logo of my company. It does not matter what the signature is as long as there is an attachment even the text only signature is converted to an htm attachment.

In my many conversations with the Geniuses at the Apple store and techs at Apple Care nobody has been able to figure out how to send an email, with attachments and still have a signature show up. I finally was told this is a known issue with Mail when sending to PCs...I have trouble believing that Steve Jobs and the rest of the Apple executives would accept this less than professional result with their emails.

In the business world it is expected that an email would have a signature especially if you want the recipient to open the attachment. If anyone has figured this out I would appreciate knowing how to do it. Do not answer if you are going to lecture without an answer.

Mar 21, 2009 11:16 AM in response to Newbie Amy

In my many conversations with the Geniuses at the Apple store and techs at Apple Care nobody has been able to figure out how to send an email, with attachments and still have a signature show up. I finally was told this is a known issue with Mail when sending to PCs...I have trouble believing that Steve Jobs and the rest of the Apple executives would accept this less than professional result with their emails.


They didn't write Outlook, so they can't control what it does to the email it receives. Mail, as far as I can tell is internet mail standards compliant. Outlook has never been and I don't expect Microsoft to change that.

In the business world it is expected that an email would have a signature especially if you want the recipient to open the attachment. If anyone has figured this out I would appreciate knowing how to do it. Do not answer if you are going to lecture without an answer.

Try selecting the option to put all attachments at end of document.

I know you don't want to know this, but my company converts all email to plain text before it hits my inbox. Your protestations are futile.

This thread has been closed by the system or the community team. You may vote for any posts you find helpful, or search the Community for additional answers.

Mail Signatures with images and Windows users

Welcome to Apple Support Community
A forum where Apple customers help each other with their products. Get started with your Apple Account.