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Hi:0 I received a couple autographs from a request I sent out:) I sent 8x10 glossy photos and I received them back signed:) The person that signed them used a black tip marker but it was not the thick kind. I noticed that when i received the photos there were tiny white little dots( really tiny on the ink) Does that mean that the autograph is fading? I am not sure if anyone is going to understand what I am talking about but the ink looks like it has tiny white dots when you look really close? Is that something I should worry about? I store my autographs in a scrapbook that is acid free. They are kept in a cool place in my finished basement room:) They are not exposed to sunlight:) I hope I am doing everything correctly:)
Thanks again:)

It's hard to know what you mean, really. Could you take a picture?

When I think of "white dots" I think of breaks in the writing, which could be a sign that your signatures are actually auto pens. But I'm not an expert; I'm just going by what I've read on here.

No it is not an auto-pen;) I received this autograph from Hayley Mills. It is really hard to see the white dots and when I exzamined it, it looked like it was not signed in a sharpie......... does that mean it will fade?

Basements tend to be a haven for moisture, so I would suggest moving them to the first or second floor if you can. I usually keep my 8x10s in a toploader made by Ultra Pro, and once the picture is autographed it never leaves the toploader.

I have never heard of black ink having tiny white dots, so I am rather baffled what you are talking about. About the only two things I can think of is either it is light reflecting in the signature or it could be a paint pen. If it's a paint pen then the ink could possibly flake off if you are not careful to store it properly.

There are other markers available besides Sharpies. There is Stadtler Lumocolor, which is favored by some IP autograph collectors since they adhere better to glossy surfaces, there is a Bic Mark-it pen simular to but tending to be thinner than Sharpies, a variety of paint pens, and so on. But I can't be sure what you are talking about unless I see a scan, and even then I might not be able to tell you unless I actually see the photo and signature itself.

Great advice, packrat.

t-cards wrote:No it is not an auto-pen;) I received this autograph from Hayley Mills. It is really hard to see the white dots and when I exzamined it, it looked like it was not signed in a sharpie......... does that mean it will fade?

Also, just in case you were not aware, Sharpies can also fade. I would store your autos safely regardless of what kind of ink you think it's written with.

I know exactly what you're talking about--

I have a glossy trading card signed my by Michael Dorn in my Star Trek collection. It, too was signed with a black marker (in person, not an autopen). I think that it may be the coating on the card that didn't take the ink all that well. It's been long since dried with what almost looks like the ink bubbled up and popped, leaving a circular 'white spot' in the middle of the signature.

Unfortunately, I have no solution for you. My card is in a 4 corner screw down trading card holder, to keep curious fingers away. I will try to scan it, for all to see what you mean, but I don't know how well it will scan.


Sorry.

Thanks for the advice:) I talked with some other people and I think its really the glossy photo and the fact maybe that the marker was running out of ink:) We have a finished basement and I keep it in a very dry place. Once I get my autograph I put acid free corners on it and put it in my autograph album which is a acid-free scrapbook but Acmoore:) Do you think I need better storing for my autographs? I will think about moving them to the second floor!! I know that autographs do fade when they are exposed to sunlight and I try to make sure that they are not period unless someone looks at them:)
Thanks again:)

rocker_boy2010 wrote:I have a glossy trading card signed my by Michael Dorn in my Star Trek collection. It, too was signed with a black marker (in person, not an autopen). I think that it may be the coating on the card that didn't take the ink all that well. It's been long since dried with what almost looks like the ink bubbled up and popped, leaving a circular 'white spot' in the middle of the signature.

I know this from (unfortuate) personal experience...

Glossy trading cards need to be rubbed down before getting them signed. I use a white Mars plastic eraser made by Staedtler (found in art stores) since they don't leave smudges as much as other erasers do. After rubbing the card down I check it in the light for smudges left behind by the eraser, and if neccesary I wipe them off with my thumb or a cloth or kleenex. Some folks prefer to rub their cards down with baby powder, but it can get a bit messy using that method.

I've never had a problem with glossy photos bubbling up on me. (Knock on wood. Don't wanna jinx myself here.)

Yeah its not as bad but I do not want to re-send:) Thanks for all the advice:)

Ok. Please do this. Take a piece of normal piece of clear tape, and a black washable marker, (something for coloring, not a sharpie.) Write a word on the tape, once you tear a 2" piece off. Slowly the marker should start spreading apart...is this what is happening to your signature??? If not ignore this, if so........it could just be that this person may have used a different marker to sign, besides a sharpie. It just might not be taking so well to the photo. I hope this can clear things up for some people, if this is what is happening to your photo. Please tell me the results

Sara