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This discussion is geared towards providing tips from personal experiences as to what writing tools to use when getting baseballs signed. Almost all of the big autograph companies, such as Steiner, Tri Star, and Mounted Memories, use blue ballpoint pens exclusively in their signings. I know for a fact that Tri Star used to only use blue Bic Accountant pens for their signings, but Bic discontinued production of these pens (for some unknown reason). They still make them in black and red ink, I believe. So the pen of choice in the industry now is the Bic blue Roundstic grip ballpoint pen. A lot of other collectors I know also like to use the Bic Cristal ballpoint pen as well. The color you choose is ultimately up to you, but I always prefer blue.

Personally, I have become enamored with the Uniball Jetstream 1.0 blue rollerball pen. I've found that this has an ink with a nice blue hue similar to standard ballpoint pens, but it writes much bolder on baseballs. Plus, the ink is supposed to be smear and fade resistant, which is the major compaint I have with standard ballpoint pens (fading). I have has a couple of instances where the pen didnt write 100%, but I think it was more a function of the angle the athlete held the pen at when they signed more than anything else.

There are a lot of other collectors that like getting baseballs signed in Sharpie (fine and ultra fine point). I have heard from various collectors that autographs done in in Sharpie marker on baseballs will bleed or fade a lot more than ballpoint autographs over time. Personally, I have never witnessed this, but I'd like to hear from other collectors on this forum what your experiences have been. I have also heard of some people liking using the fine point Staedtler Lumocolor pen as well, although I have not tried using that on baseballs.

Anyway, please feel free to chime in with your own preferences and experiences getting baseballs signed. Thanks!

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Replies to This Discussion

I almost always use a Bic blue Roundstic grip ballpoint pen. I find these to be the best for appearance. But, I have used black Sharpies before too, but only on a ROMLB. I have never had a problem with a Sharpie fading. I have several (Bill Clinton, Kyle Busch) and they really look great. However, the Sharpies do fade if used on other balls such as ROLB and other "made in China" balls.
Thanks for your input. I would add that I have also seen other types of pens fade on ROLBs and the 'Made in China' balls as well. These are cheaper than ROMLBs cost and quality-wise, but the savings are often nullified in the long run if the autos fade or bleed into the ball. Sometimes it's better just to spring a little more and get the ROMLBs, as the autos will almost always last longer on those, depending on how they are stored or displayed.
I had the same problem with the china baseballs from walmart. After getting them signed if go to Michaels or any arts and crafts store and buy a clear adhesive spray. Go home and set the baseball on the ground and stand back alittle and let a light mist hit the baseball it give the baseball a little of a shine but I have found that the signatures preserve because they have a light layer over them and they do not change color or fade! One of my friends have been doing this for years and especially if you just want it to keep a little gloss is not going to matter if preserves the signature 50 years from now. Please experiment with a few baseballs before you try it took me about 6 baseballs that I practiced on before I got the right amount of spray. If you are to close to the autograph it will just make the ink run and if you are to far away it will not get the right amount of protection! Hope this helps Good Luck and Keep Graphin!!!!
For baseballs ball point pen and either cards pictures or mini helmets sharpies
Where do you think the best place to buy the OMLB's? I've been collecting autographs on baseballs for a couple of years and have always bought them in bulk online (between $120-140 per case). If you go and buy them at a random store, they are sometimes $15-$18 a piece. Anybody have a good source?
Best place to buy balls is andersonkpt - they have a website and their number is on there as well (231-865-6935). I usually call them cause you get a better price. Usually it's about $111/dz OMLB + exact shipping. They don't usually give you a total, but will give you a receipt in your shipment. They ship quickly and their balls are high quality. I order the ones in boxes (as opposed to cubes) and never have glue spots. They'll work with you if you do get some bad balls. I know quite a few other collectors that have used them with similar results.
I use the skinny fine Sharpie pen for getting autographs on baseballs, and the balls look nice.

What type of baseballs do you guys buy to get autographed? I've only bought baseballs once, and I picked up a bag of  Rawlings OLB3 baseballs. Has anyone had any issues with these balls or should I upgrade to the offical MLB balls.

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