xairbusdriver
Junior Forum Member
Posts: 109 
Open to constructive criticism of photos: Yes
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Post by xairbusdriver on Jul 5, 2021 17:01:25 GMT
Can't figure out a way to search for this non-digital question? LOL!!! My wife wants to know the safest, least destructive way to write notes/info on the back of printouts. - She claims very soft pencils can smudge and even stick on to a lower picture in a stack. (So, don't stack prints!)
- Obviously, ink can bleed into the paper and even show up under the printed side. (so use very quick-drying ink!)
- She often finds ball point ink smudges, can be too think, slow drying, slides on slick paper, etc.
- It is not likely that she wants to spray the backs of all prints so she can add protection to ink or better traction for ball points.
A simple file is not always suitable in all circumstances. Some still want "pictures" stored in shoe boxes!!  What are your suggestions, experiences? |
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WayneS
Established Forum Member
Posts: 476
Open to constructive criticism of photos: Yes
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Post by WayneS on Jul 5, 2021 20:08:19 GMT
Perhaps a label, but that will not help if she is stacking!
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Post by cats4jan on Jul 5, 2021 21:46:51 GMT
I found this info I also found archival pens as an option, but the guy at Reddit said they flake off as powder, so that doesn’t seem to be an option. Only other thought is to label then after you put them in photo albums - writing on album pages or attaching labels to pages. However, watch what albums you get. My photos stuck to my old-style photo albums. Another thought is to share digitally - using flash drives for gifting to others. |
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pontiac1940
CE Members
Posts: 6,362
Open to constructive criticism of photos: Yes
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Post by pontiac1940 on Jul 5, 2021 21:55:52 GMT
I'd think a good old-fashioned pencil is probably hard to beat. Obviously, medium hardness so it won't smudge but not so hard that it dents the print. Well all have prints (some in shoe boxes  ) with pencil notations. I have some that are 70+ years old. |
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Post by Sepiana on Jul 5, 2021 22:11:35 GMT
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xairbusdriver
Junior Forum Member
Posts: 109
Open to constructive criticism of photos: Yes
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Post by xairbusdriver on Jul 5, 2021 22:46:07 GMT
Thanks so much for such quick and thorough replies!  I've compiled a list of links and given them to SWMBO! The best option seems to have disappeared since the 2017 review! But there seem to be more options from outside the US! |
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Post by BuckSkin on Jul 6, 2021 8:02:26 GMT
>>>Test this first<<<
Use the printer and print the info on the back side; then, print the photo on the show side.
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Post by cats4jan on Jul 6, 2021 10:38:27 GMT
>>>Test this first<<< Use the printer and print the info on the back side; then, print the photo on the show side. Excellent idea. Worth a try. |
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Chris
Established Forum Member
Posts: 490
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Post by Chris on Jul 7, 2021 20:20:59 GMT
It seems there are specialist pens and pencils available on the market. I found this article: www.redrivercatalog.com/infocenter/pens-pencils-for-signing-inkjet-prints.htmlIt will also make a big difference on what kind of paper the photo is printed on. Some labs "wet print" digital photos the old fashioned way. These prints are quite hardy and waterproof. You could use a specialist pen to write on the back. Or you could stick invisible matt tape on the back and write lightly with a pencil. Home printed images are generally printed on lighter inkjet photo paper. Some papers have a matt finish on the back, and some high-end papers have a non absorbent polymer on the back. You will have to experiment to see what works best. If the paper is thin and has a matt absorbent back then a pencil might be best (wet ink could bleed into the paper and be visible on the printed side). If the paper is thick with a smooth non absorbent back then you might need a specialist archival marker. Kind regards Chris PS Pigment printer inks are more archival than dye inks. However, dye inks have improved a lot in recent years. Good quality paper will help the print to last longer. |
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Post by whippet on Jul 11, 2021 17:16:13 GMT
Go back to the old fashioned way - a fountain pen, and blotting paper.  |
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Post by BuckSkin on Jul 12, 2021 18:39:33 GMT
Go back to the old fashioned way - a fountain pen, and blotting paper. Way back when I was a kid, my mother thought it was cool for me to always wear white shirts to school; I thought it was cool to carry and use a fountain pen. Only the really cool guys had those that had the little pump lever where you could draw ink from a bottle into the pen; the less fortunate of us had to settle for those that had the replaceable plastic ink cartridges (I cannot recall the brand-name). Every shirt I owned had a big ink stain under the pocket and everything I ever wrote on had many big ink spots as well. It is no wonder fountain pens fell out of favor if everyone else had no better luck with them than us kids. Your mention of them has awakened the repressed urge to start using them again; all of my shirts now are black as a crows wing, so I should be alright. |
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Post by whippet on Jul 12, 2021 19:47:14 GMT
Ah, the good old days, BuckSkin. I had a cartridge pen at one time. I still have my Parker, a bottle of royal blue ink (Always prefered that to black), and Basildon Bond writing paper - unlined, of course. Don't ask when I last used them though, because I haven't a clue. |
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) with pencil notations. I have some that are 70+ years old. 
I've compiled a list of links and given them to SWMBO! The best option seems to have disappeared since the 2017 review! But there seem to be more options from outside the US! 
