If I add an image to the queue, select the image, Ctrl+E to Edit, then Ctrl+F to add a filter, the filter dialog often (not always) displays a gradient rather than the image.  While in the filter dialog, if I add a cutout, then the image is finally displayed.  All the images I print are 8 bit tiffs.

Using 2013.119.

Deven

I managed to repeat this once but with a different sequence - a cannot do it again.
The quickest way to open the image editor to add a filter is to double click.
Terry

Hi Deven,
I suppose I'm a double click person in QU rather than use keyboard short cuts. In your workflow (nothing wrong with it), it would eliminate the initial click to select and than move to keyboard. Personal preference, that's all 
One possibility is for you to create you own pre-defined filter to add your copyright filter. Simply add the filter to an image that has no other filters and, from the image editor file menu, Save Current Parameter to file and use a meaningful name.
The workflow would then be:
Right click on thumb or image on page preview and select your signature Predefined Filter
Ctrl E or double click on blank part of preview to open page editor.
Print crop as required.
Not sure if that would be any quicker though except if you are adding the signature cutout to several images. In that case you would select  all the images in the queue, right click and add the predefined filter.
As you can see, there is often more that one way to complete a task in QU, try first and then choose the one that suits you best.

I still cannot reproduce that strange screen - is you graphics driver up to date?
Terry