Fading ink, feels bad man

[isaac2004]

Originally Posted by mrmopar

I don't think there is much you can do. The ink bleeds on those cheap balls. I have a few similar to that myself.

In hindsight, I dodged a bullet by not getting a cherished in person signature as a kid, as the player left early. I was crushed at the time and have since gotten multiple signatures and had that long awaited meeting in person. Had I gotten the signature at the time though, it would have been on one of those crappy souvenir balls and I'd be thinking the same thing as you today.

Is there a place to get non China baseballs in bulk for a non insane cost?

[packs]

I would suggest you bite the bullet on the cost of official MLB baseballs. This issue isn't contained to only one brand. I think you'll run into the same fading no matter what cheaper option you buy.

[Dewey]

I stopped collecting signed baseballs because of this fear, even though I only used official baseballs. Not sure my fear was rational if using official balls, but it is what it is. Though I can report no fading.

Total bummer. Sorry that happened. Definitely worth ponying up if you want to keep going. Those boys might be happy you did.

[isaac2004]

Originally Posted by Dewey

I stopped collecting signed baseballs because of this fear, even though I only used official baseballs. Not sure my fear was rational if using official balls, but it is what it is. Though I can report no fading.

Total bummer. Sorry that happened. Definitely worth ponying up if you want to keep going. Those boys might be happy you did.

Getting in person autos with official balls is fine becuase I'm holding it the whole time. TTM is a whole different animal because I am not even guaranteed to get it back unsigned.

[Huysmans]

Just go over the signatures yourself with dark ink.... good as new!

[ChiSoxTony]

The issue is definitely the type of ball you used. Official ROMLB's are the only way to go. There are still problems with bleeding sometimes (and I won't even start the conversation about what type of pen to use), but NOT the type of fading that you are seeing.

IMO, it's better to send out a ROMLB and risk losing it than to get a cheapo ball back that fades. Plus, there are many TTM sites that tell you what return percentages are for signers, so you can cut down the risk of losing a ball significantly.

[Huck]

Originally Posted by ChiSoxTony

The issue is definitely the type of ball you used. Official ROMLB's are the only way to go. There are still problems with bleeding sometimes (and I won't even start the conversation about what type of pen to use), but NOT the type of fading that you are seeing.

IMO, it's better to send out a ROMLB and risk losing it than to get a cheapo ball back that fades. Plus, there are many TTM sites that tell you what return percentages are for signers, so you can cut down the risk of losing a ball significantly.

ROMLB balls is not a guarantee that the signature will not fade. I have a few signatures on 150 plus baseballs that are all but gone, while others signatures are bright and crisp. Ink, leather, signing pressure, whether the person palmed the ball (oils), storage are factors in the fading issue. I always had the person sign a ball but once I saw the fading of balls stored in complete darkness, I stopped getting balls signed.