Thanks to Power Sports Memorabilia and to Dennis Rodman for the cool auto....
Autograph Pen Guide: Choosing the Right Pen for Every Memorabilia Item
Selecting the correct pen for an autograph is one of the most important factors in preserving the quality and longevity of a signed item. Different materials react differently to ink, and using the wrong pen can lead to smudging, fading, or poor adhesion.
This guide breaks down the best pen options for each type of memorabilia so your autograph looks clean and holds up over time.
Download our free pen guide HERE.
General Autograph Pen Guidelines
- Blue or black Sharpie is the standard for most items
- For thinner autographs on cardboard items such as tickets and cards, use a blue or black Staedtler
- Paint pens are best for:
- Glossy surfaces
- Dark items that require light ink such as silver or gold
- Always consider:
- Material of the item
- Finish of the surface
- Color contrast between item and ink
How to Prep Glossy Cards Before Signing
Chrome-style cards such as Topps Chrome or Prizm require preparation before signing.
Steps:
- Lightly rub the signing area with a white eraser
- Wipe the surface clean with a microfiber towel
- This removes some of the gloss and helps the ink adhere properly
Best Pens by Item Type
Sports Cards
- Blue or black Sharpie for standard autographs
- Staedtler for thinner signatures
- Paint pen for chrome or glossy cards when using non-standard colors
- Always prep glossy cards before signing
Tickets
- Blue or black Sharpie works best
- Staedtler for a finer signature
- Paint pen can be used for specialty colors
Photos
- Sharpie or paint pen can be used
Baseballs
- Official Major League Baseballs should be signed with a blue ballpoint pen
- Black baseballs can be signed with paint pen, gold is commonly used
- Placement:
- Sweet spot for official balls
- Under the logo for specialty or commemorative balls
Bats
- Sharpie or paint pen both work well
- Choice depends on desired color and contrast
Basketballs
- Leather basketballs should be signed with a paint pen, silver is most common
- Black option can use an N50 pen
- White panel basketballs must be signed with Sharpie or N50 only, paint pens will not dry
Footballs
- Authentic leather footballs should be signed with a silver paint pen
- Black option can use an N50 pen
- White footballs must be signed with Sharpie only, paint pens will not dry
Helmets
Full-Size Helmets
- Black → N50 pen
- Blue → Blue Sharpie
- Silver → Silver Sharpie
- Other colors → Paint pen
Mini Helmets
- Black → Black Sharpie only (no N50)
- Blue → Blue Sharpie
- Silver → Silver Sharpie
- Other colors → Paint pen
Jerseys
On Numbers
Non-screen printed numbers:
- Black → Black Zebra Pilot or Sharpie
- Silver or light colors → Paint pen
- Do not use white, it will not show
Screen-printed numbers:
- Dark color autograph → Black Sharpie only
- Light color autograph → Silver Sharpie (paint pens will not dry)
On Fabric (below numbers)
- Dark jerseys → Silver paint pen
- Light jerseys → Black Sharpie
Shoes
- Black or silver Sharpie recommended for best drying and visibility
Gloves (Baseball and Football)
- Sharpie works well
- Paint pen can be used for silver or specialty colors
Hockey Pucks
- Use an extra fine paint pen for a clean autograph
- Silver is most common due to the dark surface
Floorboards (Basketball)
- Black → N50 pen
Bases and Home Plate
- Sharpie is recommended
- Surface can be uneven, so thicker tips work better
Jackets, Pants, and Shorts
- Dark colored items → Black Sharpie
- Light colored items → Silver paint pen
Quick Reference Guide
- Glossy surface → Prep and consider paint pen
- Dark item → Use silver or light paint pen
- Light item → Use black or blue Sharpie
- Need a thin autograph → Use Staedtler
- Leather ball → Use paint pen
- Official baseball → Use blue ballpoint
Why the Right Pen Matters
Using the correct pen helps prevent smudging, fading, and poor ink adhesion. It also ensures that the autograph remains clear and legible over time, which is especially important for long-term display and preservation.
Final Thoughts
Every item is different, and small details such as surface type and ink choice can make a significant difference in the final result. Taking the time to choose the right pen and properly prepare the surface will help ensure a clean, durable autograph.
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Customer Reviews
Overall rating: 4.9 / 5 from 4967 reviews.
The autographs turned out better than I could have imagined. Was a pleasant experience from sending to receiving back the items. You have a customer for life.
Nice big autograph!
Great autograph on this giant 2XL jersey
Power Sports was very helpful. They will answer any questions throughout the process of getting your Autograph. And they packed very well when they ship it back to you.
Another great looking signature added to my team signed helmet. It is great to get notifications throughout the process and using UPS is great to protect my items.
Nice autograph signed by former NY Mets great. Thanks Matt Powers and his team for this signing event.
Amazing customer service
Very straight forward process and the item lived up to expectations!
I’ve been holding on to this hat forever!! Finally got the opportunity to get it signed NBA legend Alex English.. Courtesy of Powers Sports!
Everything went smooth from ordering the autograph to receiving my item promptly and Natalie was very helpful and responsive with the questions I had.
Again, PSM did a great job!
Nice autograph by Roger Clemens himself. Thank you Matt Powers and his team for this signing event.
Nice autograph by Cal Ripken Jr. Thank you Matt Powers and his team for this signing event.
Nice autograph. Thank you Matt Powers and his team for this signing event.
Another perfect autograph on my 3000 hit baseball. Always a great experience! Thanks again.
I've had this card since the age of 12. Never had the opportunity until now to get his RC signed. Thanks Matt for making this happen!!
Once again, Matt and his team delivered a smooth, professional experience in obtaining a Dustin Pedroia autograph (with authentication) to a book already containing a number of Red Sox greats’ signatures. I recommend Powers Spirts Memorabilia highly.
Great experience. Card was just as described. Excited to have this added to the collection.
Frank Thomas 1990 Topps Signed Baseball Rookie Card #414B Auto Graded Beckett 10
The COA was placed exactly where I wanted it and it turned out great. Always an easy experience.
An excellent experience with the team. The ball turned out perfectly. Easy to ship the ball in and it returned after signing without an issue.
Great place to do business with. Thank you!
Fernando Tatis Jr 2019 Topps Baseball Rookie Card RC #410 Graded PSA 9 MINT
😍 such a nice autograph! Thank you!
Thank you for another awesome autograph!
Mr. Powers delivered on my request for this Cal Ripken jr. autograph. It was a nice size clean and perfect signature better than I expected. Mr. Powers team is quick to respond with any concerns you may have and keeps you posted on your item. I will absolutely be getting more signatures through them to finish my collection. I highly recommend Powers Sports to anyone that has any doubts. I use to do send ins with Steiner sports until he sold, to me Powers picked up where they left off and I couldnt be happier. Thank you
Great experience as usual! I’ll definitely be getting more autographs in the future!!
As good as it gets
Smooth transaction
The process was smooth and easy as always.
Awesome!
The color match ink auto looks great! Thanks!
A fantastic addition to the set. Bosh's autograph really pops on this one. Thanks!
This might be the only autograph of this card that has his whole auto on it. Great addition to the collection!
The COA wasn't close to where I asked for it to be placed. I'm not sure how this was missed but it was a bummer when I saw that.
This came back amazing! The autograph was very clean! Thanks!
This completes my set of sketch cards. It's been fun doing this.
This was just the COA. Thanks!
It's awesome to get this one back! Another added to the Collection.
Great job by Powers Sports once again! They were able to secure a great signature from Andy Reid on my trading card, using the exact type pen and the exact location that I requested. Accuracy and quality are their top priority!
I submitted 2 cards to get them signed by Patrick Ewing himself. Thanks Matt Powers and his team for this signing event.
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