Question: pencil for photo paper
I just received an interesting question. Can anyone help? The question is:
What type of pencil would be ideal for writing on the back of glossy photo paper?
The individual is hoping to avoid using a pen.
Thanks!
I just received an interesting question. Can anyone help? The question is:
What type of pencil would be ideal for writing on the back of glossy photo paper?
The individual is hoping to avoid using a pen.
Thanks!
June 28th, 2007 at 10:43 pm
On real photo paper I wouldn’t use a pencil at all for fear of contaminating other prints or bruising the paper. I use an alcohol based marker like a Copic fineline. Dries quickly and doesn’t fade. I usually use a medium grey.
July 2nd, 2007 at 2:27 pm
Jim,
Thanks very much for your reply. I passed it on to the correspondent.
July 10th, 2007 at 1:52 pm
My best recommendation is to use Prismacolor pencils (black), which can be bought singly at art supply stores. They are soft, and need only a light touch for writing on the backs of resin-coated (RC) photographic paper (that’s the laminated general-use photo paper that most color prints are made on).
I’m a professional archivist, and that’s what we use. For fiber-based photo paper, I use soft #1 pencils. A light touch means you won’t “emboss” the paper with your handwriting.
I hope this helps.
July 10th, 2007 at 5:24 pm
Abraham, Thanks very much for the professional assistance. I’m sure it will be quite appreciated!
July 24th, 2007 at 12:49 pm
You’re most welcome !
Any time !
Say, does anyone know what happened with the “Pencil Revolution” web page? It doesn’t look like anyone is maintaining it.
Thanks.
September 11th, 2007 at 7:04 am
I am a photographer. The best I have found to write on any photographic surface is the Staedtler Mars Omnichrom (a grease pencil with a wood casing). They are no longer made, but I think you can still find some grease pencils with wood encasings from other companies. They write virtually on anything and they don’t smear easily. Otherwise you will have to use the Berols, which are ugly as…
I also use a pigment liner (I like Staedlers) for photographs, but it is not a good idea to use in the back because (and depending on the image) it might be visible. They write nicely even on glossy photos.
–daniel
September 11th, 2007 at 7:49 am
dmg, thanks very much for the informed advice.