Paint Pens - Oil/Water Based

Does anyone know what the difference is between oil-based and water-based paint pens when getting autographs? Is one more ideal than another for photos, posters, etc.?

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Permalink Reply by Dane on August 1, 2012 at 9:41pm

I would make the following assumptions, which might be wrong, but are based upon my pseudo-science...

Water based pens would be like Sharpies, so I assume those work best on photos and posters.

Oil based pens would be like paint pens, gel pens, so I assume those would not work on photos, since the oil _might_ interact with the emulsion.

That said I vaguely remember the following list:

Baseballs = ball point ink

Footballs/basketballs/darker bats = metal ink

Light bats/photographs/posters = non-metal Sharpie-type ink

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Permalink Reply by Rich on August 2, 2012 at 12:16pm

Think I found my answer - bought one of each at Michael's last night. I tried both on a glossy surface. They seemed to produce the same result at first, and both dried withing a minute. However, the water-based paint pen can be scratched off somewhat easily, while the oil based pen does not scratch off at all.