How to tell if an autograph is live ink or printed

[Ajax1215]

Hello! Does anybody know how to tell if an autograph is actually signed on the photo or if it is printed on? I have a lens to magnify the ink and I am wondering how to tell the difference with it magnified. Thanks!

[goswannies]

Hello! Does anybody know how to tell if an autograph is actually signed on the photo or if it is printed on? I have a lens to magnify the ink and I am wondering how to tell the difference with it magnified. Thanks!

Look at the picture on an angle, so that light reflects off it. If it's signed you can still see the signature with the reflected light. If it's printed you can't. Doesn't work as well with matte printed photos. Practice getting your eye in by signing some photos yourself & look.

Sometimes you'll see that the autograph is printed, but the inscription is "real" - a secretary will have done the inscription. In this instance, a Google search will yield identical photos with the autograph in the same spot but personalised inscriptions.