Probably a dumb question, but

WGibsonPhotography · Jun 19, 2009

you guys should expect those from me by now

I've been keeping my 35mm negatives in Savage glassine sleeves. I've been labelling them with a black (and ocassionally silver, but that probably doesnt make a differnce) Sharpie. I've been labeling the top part of the sleeve just above the top of the negative, being careful not to write over the negative. Will Sharpie ink bleed through and damage color or black and white negatives? I'm getting tired of being super careful not to write on the neg, but I'll continue if that'll save the negative from sharpie contamination

keithwms · Jun 19, 2009

I am not sure what the solvent is in the sharpies. As such I would avoid using them in this way.

WGibsonPhotography · Jun 19, 2009

I'm actually on a quest right now to find something that'll write on glassines. I've tried pencil, but it doesnt show up (or at least good enough for me to se well enough to use it).

WGibsonPhotography · Jun 19, 2009

I just found a pen that I might start using. It writes fairly thick and sticks to the glassine well. Dries kinda slow, though. I think That might be a better choice.

The sharpie is just a standard permanent marker. I dont have one of the very fine tipped ones. It's hard to write small enough to not write over the negatives and still be albe to understand what's written next time I pull the negs out. this pen might be a better choice

Phillip P. Dimor · Jun 19, 2009

I was going to suggest grease pencils but I haven't seen any fine-pointed ones.. not even sure if they exist.

I use these poly sleeves and end up sticking a small circular or rectangular sticker on it and then writing with a sharpie.

I've signed prints with a sharpie on the back. I haven't noticed anything yet and it's been about 9 years? 8 years? I'm not saying that writing with a sharpie will never lead to problems down the road but.. I still do it. Those ultra fine point ones are very convenient..

WGibsonPhotography · Jun 19, 2009

Phillip P. Dimor said:
I've signed prints with a sharpie on the back. I haven't noticed anything yet and it's been about 9 years? 8 years? I'm not saying that writing with a sharpie will never lead to problems down the road but.. I still do it. Those ultra fine point ones are very convenient..

The pen I'm using to label the negs I'm storing now has a tip similar to the ultra fine point sharpie. I dont know if a pen is any better or worse than sharpie.

The only negs I have in glassines right now are color, and I'm not as worried about them as I am my B&W negs since I scan my color (I dont have the patience for color darkroom work).

Sirius Glass · Jun 19, 2009

I have used archival pages for the negatives and write the information with a Sharpie along the information border provided for over five years and I have had not problems. The pages are stored in three ring binders.

Steve

WGibsonPhotography · Jun 19, 2009

Sirius Glass said:
I have used archival pages for the negatives and write the information with a Sharpie along the information border provided for over five years and I have had not problems. The pages are stored in three ring binders.

Steve

That makes me feel better. I do write on the half inch above the negs in the sleeves, so the negs should be safe. I was wondering if I wrote over the negs in the sleeves if the ink might bleed through and damage the negs in some way

dwdmguy · Jun 19, 2009

My Staples had a Brother Label maker for $9.99 the other week. I just pop out a label that speaks to the subject, film, developer and dates. Same Multi-able rolls? Just hit the print button again. easy peesy.

WGibsonPhotography · Jun 19, 2009

dwdmguy said:
My Staples had a Brother Label maker for $9.99 the other week. I just pop out a label that speaks to the subject, film, developer and dates. Same Multi-able rolls? Just hit the print button again. easy peesy.

that's cool. I didnt even think about that. Maybe I'll grab one next time I'm st staples

Ektagraphic · Jun 20, 2009

How about one of those "China markers" that you peel after the tip is dull. Check out these...
http://www.artstuff.net/sanford_china_markers.htm

RalphLambrecht · Jun 20, 2009

WGibsonPhotography said:
you guys should expect those from me by now

I've been keeping my 35mm negatives in Savage glassine sleeves. I've been labelling them with a black (and ocassionally silver, but that probably doesnt make a differnce) Sharpie. I've been labeling the top part of the sleeve just above the top of the negative, being careful not to write over the negative. Will Sharpie ink bleed through and damage color or black and white negatives? I'm getting tired of being super careful not to write on the neg, but I'll continue if that'll save the negative from sharpie contamination

Make sure there is at least 1 mile between your Sharpie and your precious negatives. Search for acid-free Millennium pens from Zig Memory Systems. They are made by Kuretake Co, Ltd in Japan and come in several thicknesses. I have them in 0.5 and 0.1 mm.

RalphLambrecht · Jun 20, 2009

I forgot to add a link:

http://www.dickblick.com/products/zig-memory-system-millennium-markers/

WGibsonPhotography · Jun 22, 2009

RalphLambrecht said:
I forgot to add a link:

http://www.dickblick.com/products/zig-memory-system-millennium-markers/

Thanks. I'll check those out now

dancqu · Jun 26, 2009

Sharpie Rub-a-Dub

A laundry marker. Been using one for
about a decade. No problems.

My notation on opposite corners:
roll number-year-frame range. IE,
08-02-1-4, the first 4 frames of the
eighth roll shot 2002.

Prints from that roll and that strip would
carry a notation such as 08-02-2, frame 2.

IMO a very concise and quick
way to track. Dan

dancqu · Jun 27, 2009

dancqu said:
A laundry marker. Been using one for
about a decade. No problems.

My notation on opposite corners:
roll number-year-frame range. IE,
08-02-1-4, the first 4 frames of the
eighth roll shot 2002.

Prints from that roll and that strip would
carry a notation such as 08-02-2, frame 2.

IMO a very concise and quick
way to track. Dan

I should have mentioned that the notation
starts with a frame by frame record of the
shoot then carries through with processing
notes. If I ever get around to building a
data base with that information all
I need do to access it is enter
the notation. Dan

Probably a dumb question, but

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