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Which marker for which item?

Hey all.  I will be going to a signing in the future, and I was wondering which type of marker lasts and looks the best on certain items.  A synthetic leather or plastic (it's a weird material) ball would be best with a paint pen I presume?  

Also, would paint pen be the best option on a jersey, or would a regular sharpie do the work best?  

Last, is Sharpie's Paint pens just as good or worse than a Decocolor paint pen?  

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

-Mike.  

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Mike P on August 3, 2012 at 9:07pm

I think I will do that.  A regular plain tee-shirt is similar so I will go through and find a junky one and see if it works.  Thanks for the advice!

Permalink Reply by Mike P on August 3, 2012 at 9:16pm

Another question, sorry:

Would you go with a medium or fine paint pen tip for the jersey/ball?

Thanks!

Permalink Reply by Rich on August 3, 2012 at 9:18pm

Is it a football?

Permalink Reply by Mike P on August 3, 2012 at 9:26pm

Not the one used in the sport that is played here in the US, but it has similar synthetic leather material to a football.  

Permalink Reply by Rich on August 3, 2012 at 9:28pm

I think medium would be the way to go.  If you want, I can write using both and post a photo.  The difference is somewhat more subtle than you might think.

Permalink Reply by Rich on August 3, 2012 at 9:41pm

Permalink Reply by Mike P on August 4, 2012 at 10:27am

THANKS for the visual Rich!  I think I will take both your advice and go with the medium for the ball.  Do you think it will be OK for the jersey too?  

Permalink Reply by Rich on August 4, 2012 at 11:47am

I think so.  Here's one reason I like the fine tip - the pens are much smaller and seem to be easier to prep and charge for signing.  The larger medium tip ones can take a bit more work, especially right out of the package.

Just a side note.  I wrote with three types of pens on this photo.:

1) Silver Sharpie.  Looked ok and required no prep, but about two minutes after signing, I was able to rub the writing right off.  I don't know if they're slower drying or just bad for glossy photos in general.

2) Element metallic markers (Walmart).  They are like Sharpies in that they require no prep and actually look pretty darned good.  I gave them a couple minutes to dry, then tried the rubbing experiment.  They didn't come out as readily as silver Sharpie, but they did smudge when some force was applied.  Oddlly enough, it seems like the color can be rubbed off, leaving a silver paint pen like look.  Some colors work much better than others.

3) Sharpie oil-based paint pens.  EASILY the best, at least for glossy photos.  Was mostly dry after 30 seconds, completely dry after a minute.  I tried rubbing - then clawing - this ink was stuck and not smudging, cracking, chipping.  Nothing.  

Permalink Reply by Mike P on August 4, 2012 at 11:59am

Thank you for your time testing the markers!  Ill go with option 3 haha, for the paint pen would I just have to take of the cap and shake it lightly?  I'll try to look for some demo vids, as I do not want the signer to have blotches of ink all over himself in that event that the pen doesnt work.  

Thanks again -Mike

Permalink Reply by Rich on August 4, 2012 at 12:09pm

Mike, there are some instructions on the side, but basically when you take them out of the package, the tip on the pen is white - it has no ink at all on it.  You have to press the tip down (either with your fingertip or by pressing against a surface you don't mind getting paint on - like an old piece of cardboard).  You'll see the ink start to fill the tip.  You sort of alternate between shaking it (cap on!) and pressing down on the tip.  Basically you have to work it a bit to make sure its prepped.  Have a scrap piece of something on you to run a few practice scribbles on right before you get him to sign the item.  I did that while I was waiting in line at comic con last year.

Permalink Reply by Mike P on August 4, 2012 at 12:26pm

Oh ok, I'll remember to keep the cap on haha!! thanks for the help again Rich.

Permalink Reply by Rich on August 4, 2012 at 12:27pm

Just, in general, play around with them a bit so you get a feel for how they work and how to prep them for the best signatures.  As I said, it seems like the smaller fine tip ones are a bit easier to use overall.

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