Inks that won't fade or bleed on matboard

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Chelvis

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Joined
Jun 8, 2000
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34
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Kill Devil Hills, NC, USA
A client of mine has proposed a unique project, and I am a little uncertain about the way to proceed. She is getting married in a month, and instead of having a guestbook at the wedding, she has proposed to have me cut a mat with large margins, that her guests can sign. After the wedding pictures come back, she will give me an 8 x 10 black and white photo (from the wedding) which will go under the mat. She says the piece will hang in a hallway, so I'm not as concerned with sunlight fading. But I would like to know the best kind of ink to use. I will be using an acid free matboard, probably the unbuffered crescent. I need something that will not bleed into the surface, and something that will endure. It's a neat idea, but I'm not sure about what kind of pens to suggest for the signing. Any ideas? Thanks! God Bless America!!!
 
Chelvis:

This idea has been pretty hot lately and I've been to two weddings this summer that did the same thing. (Engagement picture in the mat at time of signing to be subbed later w/wedding photo.) Both the weddings I went to used gold and silver paint markers. (Sharpie maybe...I didn't pay much attention)

Makes for a nice presentation. Both used a non-rag mat, I assume to limit bleed.

Good Luck.

John
 
Try a Staedtler pigment liner, they're for drawing and writing and come in a variety of different sizes, their also waterproof and lightfast. You should be able to find them in an art supply store.

Nikki
 
The gold and silver paint markers sometimes blead a little oil mark around the color. I recomend using any pens that are for the memory albums. They are acid free, and fade resistant. They come in many colors.

There are many different companys that make memory pens, but I think the Gell pens are the widest known. (Gell pens might smear if the person does not know how to keep their hand out of the wet ink though.)

Micron makes technical pens that come in different sixes and colors. They are also Acid free, and fade resistant.

Hope this helps. Sue
 
We have done a few of these, here is what we do:
We design it for the complete package, the borders are usually about 5" or 6". We frame it up without the glass (which has already been paid for), we cover the photo with Mylar D, put the whole package together so that when it is signed no one will be able to sign where the frame is or mark up the picture. The happy couple just brings the package back at their convenience to have the proper glass installed.

As for markers, Zig makes an archival ball pen that is bleed proof and fade proof. They can be found at any office supply store.
Ruth
 
We cut a mat with 5" borders and give them the fallout to cover the image it doesn't get abused with all the writing. Then we tell them to buy a pack of Sharpie fine point markers in different colors to add some life and color to the process.

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Timberwoman
AL
I cut the mat, I pet the =^..^= cat.
 
Might seem a bit archane but I recomend people use pencil when signing a mat. Same argument used for signing a limited edition print, carbon doesn't fade. I also suggest that there be no erasers in sight, and that signers be given a tissue to rest the heel of their hand to prevent smudging.
I'm not up to speed on the non-fading/ acid free inks. Real India ink (China Black) won't fade for the same reason as pencil. Not enough people in this world know how to use a fountain pen, though.
I mask off the edge of the mat so no one will sign too close to the edge, and will send along a spare in case someone spills their champagne on it.

[This message has been edited by wpfay (edited September 26, 2001).]
 
We recommend acid free pens to all our wedding photo customers.

An additional point, we also recommend that the bride have an appointed attendant to stand by the matted photo with a stack of napkins to put under each hand as it signs the matboard. This also helps ensure that the same pen is used for all the signatures and that someone doesn't get carried away and sign in 4" block letters. We have had couples bring in the signed mat after the wedding where there was not an attendant to monitor the signing and have every color ink of the rainbow, cake smudges, really "cutsie" paragraphs written, and so on.... almost every couple says, "You don't have to say, 'I told you so'"

Rick Bergeron - CPFcm
Coeur d'Alene, ID
 
Ruth, thanks for mentioning the Zig markers. They were the memory album pens I was trying to think of. The Zig company makes wonderful pens in different colors, and sizes, both regular tips and Calligraphy.

Sharpie markers are not recomended, as they do not say they are acid free, and I have seen them leave odd stains. Especially the red Sharpie.

Sue
 
We make alot of these mats as well.
I like to put a piece of mylay over the photo to keep them from growing mustashes and the like, also mask of mark of around the edge so that uncle bob's quote does not get covered by the rabbit of the frame.

My favorite design is to have a double crossed heart opening in a dark top mat with a photo of the bride looking up in the lower left and the groom looking down in the upper right. with a light under mat for the signature field.

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Diver Dave
 
Ruth - thanks for the mention of Zig pens. We do a lot of this type of mat for wedding receptions, graduations, retirement parties, etc. It's nice to have a good answer when people ask what kind of pen they should use. And I love the idea of covering the photo with mylar.

This is what's great about the Grumble, isn't it? So many good ideas that help me give better service to my customers.

Kit

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Time flies like an arrow; fruit flies like a banana
 
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