Dry fast Pens / Markers for Autographs

I know I have asked before, but I plan to be getting a large number of autographs soon. I typically use sharpies because they dry fast. Paint markers and the types that you need to baby are NOT an option because of the volume I will be doing. It needs to be instant or very close to it with no chance of smearing. I know some pf the paint markers are best, but just not an option due to smearing and volume.

Any recommendations? I am looking particularly for gold, bronze, silver, white, but also interested in other colors too.

Any advice appreciated. If you have a link, include that too.

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Permalink Reply by Eric Keith Longo on August 18, 2019 at 1:12pm

With so much quantity I would look for silver, gold (your stated choices) and possibly black for different signing circumstances and limit it to that to keep is simple. Just my .02. What exactly is getting signed is probably part of the question/answer.

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Permalink Reply by B. Anderson on August 18, 2019 at 1:51pm

Primarily 8 by 10 photos luster or glossy finish and some posters.

White certainly would be nice for some - but hard to find a reliable white pen, I think?

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Permalink Reply by Ru007 on August 20, 2019 at 6:00pm

Another question is are you planning to rack or is it a sit down signing? It makes a difference believe me it does

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Permalink Reply by Rich on August 19, 2019 at 2:43pm

The newer Bic silver and gold markers seem alright - probably a bit better than their sharpie counterparts.

Years ago, I had a gold photo marker that was absolutely fantastic. I lost the thing and can't remember the name as it was some brand I hadn't even heard of. I just remember it signed decent looking autographs (better than Sharpie) and dried really quickly.

Side not - be careful here. I believe it was prisma paint pens that dry especially quickly, but they're alcohol based, which does not bode well for preservation.

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Permalink Reply by Matt Wisdom on August 20, 2019 at 8:01am

Interesting topic. Thanks. I've always found shake paint pens very unpredictable, and the Sharpie version tend to be a pretty thin width, etc. I've found the Staedtler gold and silver non-shakes very good, though they do lose a little if the person is a hurried/large signer.

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Permalink Reply by Rich on August 20, 2019 at 8:14am

I've always found the Sharpie oil-based ones to be excellent - but it really does come down to circumstances and whether you'll be able to get 30 - 60 seconds for it to dry.

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Permalink Reply by B. Anderson on August 20, 2019 at 2:30pm

Is it FULLY dry after 30-60 seconds? That could be potentially doable. But if it is gonna smear after that,t hen hard no.

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Permalink Reply by Rich on August 20, 2019 at 2:35pm

If that long. I remember running through a number of these as a test years ago. It was typically dry after 30 - 45 seconds. after a minute or so, you couldn't even claw off the ink. Maybe grab a couple of the Sharpie oil based pens (fine tip are the easiest to prep and keep charged) and test them out on a photo.

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Permalink Reply by Matt Wisdom on August 20, 2019 at 9:10am

You're right, that's always the difficulty. They look great if it goes well though, having said that.

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Permalink Reply by Ru007 on August 20, 2019 at 5:32pm

Most metallic markers Gold silver Bronze they all have a slight chance of getting smeared especially if your stacking the photos quickly on top of each other, are you putting your 8x10s on a grapher board or just holding them all in a folder?

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Permalink Reply by Jilly Ruby Jane on August 3, 2020 at 6:22am

I recommend BIC Intensity Metallic Markers, has 12 count; it is designed with a durable fine point felt tip that makes the lines precise, you can find it on amazon. I found this site reviews about markers for autograph, you can check out.

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Permalink Reply by Rich on August 10, 2020 at 8:05am

I'll second the BIC ones. Fairly easy to find next to Sharpies these days, and superior in quality and reliability to their Sharpie gold and silver counterparts.