Autographs 101! Tip Of The Week! What Markers Should You Use? Paint Pens? Sharpies? Pen Guide To Graphing!
Hey autograph addicts! We do a gear grinding special every so often on Mike the Fanboy.
I thought about it and I realized that unless we had a article to complement the negatives, people out there can never really learn how to improve themselves or make changes to become better graphers.
When I started collecting autographs, I made tons of mistakes. We all did. Anyone who tells you otherwise is full of it!
Don’t feel bad! We were all there at one point!
And you don’t have to live in Los Angeles or New York to collect autographs. If anyone tells you otherwise, they are lying. Remember, my motto is there is always a graphing opportunity out there, you just have to find it.
Big or Small… It’s about the love of the hobby.
Therefore, we will be doing tip of the week specials to help some of the younger readers and graphers that are making some mistakes.
This week’s special is pens…
I am constantly complaing about pens. Good pens are the guide to a great autograph.
Now, I understand many collectors have preferences. Pen choice changes on a case by case basis. Some items might call for a colored paint pen. However, let’s take this step by step.
BALLPOINT PENS
Let’s take the common pen. Now, I am not talking about markers. I am referring to the standard ball point pen. The only case where an autograph and a ball point pen come into play is when you are getting an autograph on a baseball.
Not photos. Not posters. Not toys. Not books. Only a baseball.
Markers bleed and ruin a baseball, and a ball point pen looks the best and will last the longest.
Stick with the name brands! Don’t get some cheap knock off you have never heard of. There are reasons name brands have wide recognition. Name brands have higher quality control overall and resistance against light and time.
You don’t want your baseball faded with light or the passing of time.
In addition, use blue or black ink. Not red. Not green. Not purple. Not pink. BLUE or BLACK!
Therefore, my suggestion, is going with the standard.
- Blue or Black
- BIC Round Stic
PERMANENT MARKERS
Now let’s talk about permanent markers. If you are collecting autographs for the long run, there is only one marker brand you should have in stock.
I will be talking about paint pens and silver/gold seperately, so don’t get flustered.
I am talking about the name brand Sharpie. Once again, if you get autographs, you can NOT have some knock off that you would find in a dollar store. You would be putting your entire future collection at the risk of some knock-off brand.
Therefore, Sharpie is the leader of standard autograph collecting.
Let’s talk about Sharpie colors
Stay Away from Red, Green, Pink, Purple, Yellow, and any other color that is not Blue or Black.
You are probably asking Why?
- Fading
- Color Changes Over Time
With light, these colors are fall victim to fading overtime and for the most part turn BROWN within years.
Now, Blue and Black are the standard for graphing in Los Angeles or New York.
However, Black also has its negatives!
- If it is a dark item, some celebrities will sign black on black as a signing tactic.
- Black has a golden yellow ring surrounding autographs forming over many years.
- Black can also turn brown on regular type paper or cardstock. Therefore blanks, index cards, or books should be signed in Blue to avoid the yellow halo or brown color change.
Now, while I hate Black, it also has its positives!
- Some celebrities don’t sign in blue
- If you have a stack of items, black dries quicker than blue
Therefore, keep a black backup just in case.
But, Blue is supreme.
- Fade Resistant
- Color Change Resistant
- Dark Items still can be seen due to blue tint
- Collector Appreciated
Now, while out of production and very expensive, the original permanent Blue Vis-A-Vis marker was an option. However, the newer ones are not made by the same company and I have seen collectors make the mistake. The newer permanent markers do NOT have the same consistency and I have witnessed collectors using a the Vis-a-Vis overhead markers. Big Mistake. Stay away from them unless you can get your hands on a original, out of production Blue permanent marker. Even then, I would still stick with the convention blue sharpie.
SILVER MARKERS
Sometimes Silver or Gold is just needed for a certain item. I understand that. However, if you are in a crowd, and you can get blue or black on item just as fine, just stick with the conventional. There is too many factors with a silver or gold.
But let’s break it down.
Sharpie Metallic Silver
When you have a good working silver Sharpie, it can be your best friend. However, one out of every four to six silver sharpies work well. You have to constantly prep the pen, and it is not ideal for long term use. Therefore, it is typically ruined after one or two outings. I wouldn’t push it past ten autographs. I usually just buy a new one after I take it out once, throwing the newly used one away. In addition, the newly bright tinted silver autograph changes its silver complexion overtime. It become duller and duller, and only time will show me its true color. Silver Sharpies can also dry out quickly depending on weather.
Infinity Metallic Permanent Marker
It was originally the SRX, but after a company and brand change, you have the Infinity Metallic Marker. I have used these pens a couple times. They offer a bold nice signature, but have some complete disadvantages. These pens have issues of drying out in very cold weather. Depending on weather conditions, they either dry less quickly and the silver diminishes with each autograph. However, I stopped using them, as my trust with each graph also diminished. They have a habit of rubbing off and this can be bad if your photo rubs against another photo, the sweat on your hand penetrates the autograph, or if it starts to sprinkle.
DecoColor Liquid Silver Opaque Paint Marker
The Deco can be king! But, I repeat “can.” It was almost universal with great collectors within the last several years. It can bring forth some of the most beautiful autographs and it has great durability with masses. However, racking multiple autographs with a deco is almost impossible as it takes a while to dry. This paint pen is more prone to smears, running, and blow-ups. You have to test it constantly as a dry or leaky Deco could ruin an item. You can’t open it straight from the packaging and start using it. You have to prep it as soon as you need it, but it can result in great looking items.
Prismacolor Premier Metallic Silver
While the deco is great, it is not always easy to find. I believe this is a great solution, and has the same remarkable results. I honestly think this is a great option. So far, I have not had an accident with the pen and it serves fairly durable with each autograph. However, both options still have prolonged drying time and prevent getting multiples signed fast.
Let’s end this article off on a couple notes…
- Make sure to constantly test your pens. It doesn’t take any time and it serves as a preventative measure.
- When prepping your permanent marker, don’t push down. Angle the tip at 45 degrees and roll back and forth. Repeat many times until you get perfect line thickness.
- Think long term. Don’t go with what might look cool like rainbow colored metallic markers.
- Stick with name brands
- If you can use blue or black, stick with it. They are reliable and work well.
- Don’t experiment with your collection at the cost of other collectors.
- Don’t use sharpie on any type of plastic, rubber, or foam. Use a paint pen. Sharpies fade on plastic and bleed into rubber. (This includes Toys, Figures, Pops…)
- Avoid Water Based Paint Pens, Stick with Oil Based.
Hope this helps…
Tell us what you think! If you have any questions, please feel free to comment! If there is a pen that you found and can’t wait to share, let us know!
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Nice article and very informative. Good job..
What paper the photo is prineed on is important when considering using a metallic sharpie. I’ve found that any of the dry photo paper (like FujiFilm Quality Dry Photo Paper) is terrible for metallics. They rub off just like as if you used a dry erase marker. Other colors are fine, just don’t use metallics.
So is the description of the silver metallic marker the same as the gold. I got a couple of dvd inserts signed and the celebrity used a gold sharpie. I think it was metallic Will they not hold up for long?
I like gold, it pops on photos, way more dependable than silver, and you don’t need to worry about dark on dark like blue and black..
Good info here. For ballpoints, I always try to use a Papermate Blue Stick pen. Regarding gold/silver Sharpies, I agree it can be a crapshoot. When not in use I always store my Sharpies (regardless of color) upside down so gravity pulls the ink toward the tip and thus get longer use.
Regarding baseballs, if it’s a multi-signed ball I go with one color and stay with that color until the ball is completed.
One thing that bothered me a little is when the article mentioned giving a “stack of items” to a person to sign. One should be good enough, though sometimes I’ll try to get 2-3 baseball cards signed. It’s poor form in my opinion to do anymore than that. Athletes/celebrities stop signing for a reason, usually due to greedy collectors/dealers.
Nicely done. For paint pen on photos, I’ve learned the better quality photostock you have, the better paint pens last on it. No more of the cheapest photo paper for yours truly. As for baseballs, always and only use blue ball point pen. Black will fade and yellow over time. Name brand blue only on baseballs. Thanks for the read.
Mike is absolutely right. I collect baseball and do not use black ball point on a baseball. Blue only. As far as what deversoxfan said about multiple, there is some truth in that but it holds more true in sports not with musicians and actors. If a celeb will only sign one they will usually say only one each. There are valid reasons to get multiples though. If you love Liam neeson but can’t decide whether to get a Star Wars item or a taken item signed why not ask him for both and see what happens.
So if i use a blue sharpie on a baseball i don’t have to worry about fading?? Because i wanted to use red but it sounds like thats not the best idea.
Thanks. What would you recommend for silver/gold on fabric?
I am still confused…I am going after an Adam West autograph at MegaCon in Orlando. I have one of the newer Mattel 1966 action figures in its cardboard back and plastic packaging (obviously). My question is where should it be autographed and if so what is the best for this. I was thinking a paint pen but never used one before or the Blue Sharpie (but I just read that this is bad). This isn’t for a resale it is just for me so its not as important; would just like it to be the best it could be. Thanks!!
Hey Brian!
I would use the Deco blue paint pen. Just make sure it’s primed up before you use it.
Thank you very much!
I’m liking how straedler silver markers come out on black bats and dark photos, plus no paint pen priming or mishaps
I want to get an autograph on a rugby jersey, the fabric is very thick. Is there a pen/marker I can use so it doesn’t come off during washing?
What is the best marker for Diecast cars, hoping to get Christopher Lloyd on a diecast silver Delorean? Same thing for West and Ward on a black diecast batmobile. Trying to make sure I have the right markers for both jobs, my only concern with a silver paint pen is smudging with West and Ward. I also don’t like sigs on the winshield, so it will be on the hood. Would a blue Staedtler work for Lloyd or just stick to a blue sharpie and has anyone tried the new Sharpie Extremes or Pro’s for autographs? Lastly, has anyone tried Sakura Pentouch archival paint pens for autographs? Their silver and gold pop and want something that will adhere to the surface.
I have to say he’s wrong on one point. Blue Sharpies can fade and will turn black looking. First, any autograph not behind some sort of UV protection can and will fade depending on how much light is on it. Those Art lights that hang above a piece are a major no! I have numerous photo’s that are signed in Blue, framed in behind UV glass on Acid Free mat board and they have turned light and look black. Now 10 years ago these were a bright vibrant blue. I have other photo’s that are older that still look blue though. You just don’t know what will happen. Kind of like a Official MLB Ball, some yellow no matter what, some don’t.
Thanks for sharing this! What do you think would be the best pen for the front of a majestic gray yankees jersey? I’m getting the front signed because it will be signed by multiple players on one jersey. I would also love to know your take on signing on the front. Thanks!
I’m looking at a jack dempsey autograph on a postcard done with a black Sharpie however the fading is already prevalent and I’m still not sure what to do especially if I’m gonna sell it in time.
I use green on everything looks great!
Black football helmet what would you use
What pen would you use for a black football helmet
“But, Blue is supreme. Fade Resistant”. Wow, you must not have been collecting for very long if you think Blue doesn’t fade. I’ve had more 8×10’s signed in blue, framed behind UV glass with acid free matting that have faded and turned into a blackish color than any of my Blacks have yellowed or faded. These photos aren’t even in direct light either even with UV glass. Blue looks great but in due time you will have your blue turn bad.
So much of this is flat out wrong…
1) If you look at the description of black permanent markers, you’ll notice that most of them specify that they’re lightfast. If you look at the description of their blue counterpart, you’ll find no such descriptor. There’s a reason for that. As others have mentioned, blue permanent markers are **absolutely not fade resistant**. That’s why the Vis was so popular–because of the nature of its use with regard to overhead projectors, it was, unlike other blue options, actually lightfast.
2) Ballpoint pen is absolutely superior to permanent marker on untreated paper products (that is to say “books” & “index cards”). Permanent marker, even the thinnest permanent marker, on untreated paper WILL seep in & bleed. This is especially true of books, given their thin, lower quality, paper stock. The ideal signing instrument on untreated paper is pencil. Barring that, if you want a good signature, you want ballpoint. Barring that, paint pens. Anything with ink, such as a fineliner/rollerball or permanent marker, WILL bleed.
3) Sharpies aren’t the end-all/be-all for blue and black. Staedtlers are just as lightfast, with the added benefits of a small circumference (so unlike Sharpies, which are thick with a small tip that gets worn down–just look at any Stan Lee autograph–the tip will remain a decent size, even after the point is worn away) and a level of air resistance that allows that cap to remain off for a decent period of time, even outdoors, without risk of the pen drying out. Sharpies are the most famous, but they’re nowhere near the best. I won’t touch them for metallic since moving to Premium Decos & I won’t touch them for blue or black since moving to Staedtlers.
Hey there, don’t know if I’ll get a response, but I’m getting 2 black and white photos of the Godfather cast(Pacino and Caan), was wondering what paint pen color would stand out. Blue, Silver, White. Thanks for response!
An autograph pen is useful for a variety of tasks, but it is most commonly used to sign postcards, pictures, and sports memorabilia such as apparel, accessories, and equipment. Autograph markers also available in a variety of colors and tip kinds that are ideal for the objects you intend to sign or have signed. Autograph markers are most renowned for their mess-free, smooth application and long-lasting, opaque colors.