Pencil for signing prints?

[thefizz]

Is there a special type of pen or pencil I should find for signing window matts? Obviously it needs to last and not fade too quickly.

What do you use?

Peter

 

[Leon]

i use a very soft pencil and dont press very hard - mine is a 5b I think

 

[naturephoto1]

I think that I use H pencil lead to sign my work. I use .5mm Pentel lead for my mechanical pencils. I find that any softer tends to smear and any harder not dark enough and makes too deep a depression in the mats.

Rich

 

[Ed Lefkowicz]

I've been using a Staedtler pigment liner pen for signing prints. It's waterproof on paper, and lightfast. It also comes in various widths. Usually available at art supply stores.

 

[Michel Hardy-Vallée]

I use normal pencil if I sign on the matt or the back of the print. On the rare occasion I've been asked to sign on the print itself, I've used a 0.3mm acid-free pigment ink marker I got from an arts supplies store. I tried doing it with a quill and india ink, but my handling skills are not there yet, and I fear ruining a print. But it's beautiful and will not smudge.

 

[Tom Stanworth]

I use a regular pencil and prefer harder rather than softer pencils. I prefer the signature to look low key, which is better achieved by harder pencils IMO. with soft ones it can be hard to sign without making it rather black or if pressing lightly finding that it does not penetrate into the weave of the boad fibres. Soft pencil can also be harder to remove if you fluff it up. 2-4H would be my choice.

 

[Gustavo_Castilla]

I use pencil a 3 b and a enamel paint marker for cibas
and do sing the print NOT THE WINDOW MOUNT

 

[Stephen Frizza]

progress's are a fantastic pencil; for signing! a few of my artist clients use them.

~Steve
The Lighthouse

 

[thefizz]

Thanks to everyone for you're replies.

 

[blaze-on]

4H lightly

 

[fschifano]

Pain old-fashioned #2 pencil.