Sharpie vs Ballpoint Pen, Which is better?

[theantiquetiger]

Originally Posted by vintagechris

I guess it depends on what a person likes. I would never get a ball signed in sharpie. However, many people like ball point sigs on cards believe it or not. I know of a person who only buys ball point signatures because he thinks they seem more vintage. I personally like the way a sharpie sig looks on a card.

I am not talking preference, I am talking longer lasting, less fading, etc.

I get most of my stuff in silver sharpie now, because I like it.

[3and2]

Silver Sharpie is a real nice look on big photos.

I think the answer to which would last longer sharpie vs. ballpoint pen depends on the storage after it has been signed. They should both last equally as long. I have both types in my collection and they both look great. Bottom line keep it out of sunlight.

[pgellis]

It really depends on what you are getting signed.

Photos, cards, any paper item, bats, hats, etc. = Sharpie

Baseballs = Ballpoint Pen. I prefer the Bic, blue ink ballpoint that has the clear pen shaft.

[Lordstan]

I think it depends on a few variables.

First is the nature of the item. Balls almost always look better and cleaner with ball point pen. Rarely have I not seen a Sharpie bleed, at least a little, on a ball. Pictures and magazines can go either way. A uniform would most likely be better in sharpie, etc.

Second, is the background that the signature is going on. A ball point signature will be less bold on an item with a very dark background. Sharpie will stand out, and you have the flexibility of using a silver or gold sharpie to make it stand out even more.

Third is viewing issues. If your object is behind glass in a frame, ballpoint may be less viewable, because of the way the glass affects the light. If something is in a binder, viewed up close, that would matter less.

Fourth is the backside of the object. What I mean is that Sharpie will bleed through most more porous paper products. So, if you getting the inner page of a book signed, you have to be aware that the sig might bleed through a little. If there is another pic on the back you want signed, ball point might be better.

Fifth is storage. As noted by Anthony, sunlight will fade most anything. Otherwise, I think it's a toss up.

Lastly is the question of "longer lasting" There is no answer to this question. Ballpoints have been around since the late 1940's. Sharpie's came out in 1964. I think there are sigs of both types that have been around a long time. We certainly know fountain pen can last 100 yrs, when well take care of. I think the factors I listed above probably impact the answers to this question more so than the intrinsic nature of the technology.

I think best option is to collect what you like, not what will last longest.

Best,
Mark

[thekingofclout]

Originally Posted by Lordstan

Fifth is storage. As noted by 3and2, sunlight will fade most anything. Otherwise, I think it's a toss up.

Lastly is the question of "longer lasting" There is no answer to this question. Ballpoints have been around since the late 1940's. Sharpie's came out in 1964. I think are sigs of both types that are probably around a long time. We certainly know fountain pen can last 100 yrs, when well take care of. I think the above factors probably impact the answers to your question more so than the intrinsic nature of the technology.

I think best option is to collect what you like, not what will last longest.

Best,
Mark

As usual, Mark is spot-on...

[theantiquetiger]

I have seen signature balls from LSU's 2003 NC team that were signed in Sharpie, and the names are barely legible due to bleeding and fading.

[sporteq]

Ballpoint Pen is much more desirable.