I frequently see authors signing or recommending signing their books with Sharpie markers. I get it, they don’t rub off, they write smoothly and boldly. They actually feel nice to write/sign with. However, I do not use Sharpies myself, nor encourage anyone to sign with Sharpies.
But why?
Well, if you hope to have something like an autograph last for many many years to come, then you want to use an acid-free pen. If you’ve ever done serious scrapbooking or if you went to an art school, then you probably know what I’m talking about. But for the average person, you’re probably wondering what in the world I’m talking about.
While I’m not here to teach you all the in-depth scientific facts for archival techniques, I will keep it simple with saying it goes a bit yellowish over the years. Think about newspapers and how they fade/yellow over time. Now, the pen is not the only factor in maintaining it’s clarity over the years, so it’s not fool proof. However, I’m just doing my part to ensure quality wherever I can in my books. And I believe signing with an acid-free pen is just one more bit that I can control.
The pens I grabbed were Super Black Fineline pens. They’re acid-free, permanent and water proof. If you’re signing on a glossy surface, you do have to give it a minute to dry, but otherwise they work great. You can find them on Amazon and at other retailers. There are many options out there and yes, Sharpie does offer acid-free pens if you take a look, but a standard Sharpie is not acid free.
So in recap, are you ruining your book using a Sharpie? Probably not, but why not keep that autograph looking sharp for years to come by using an acid-free pen?
