Getting a jersey autographed should be pretty simple.

Unfortunately, collectors sometimes make the pen choice much more complicated than it needs to be.

Should you use a Sharpie?

Should you use a paint pen?

What size tip should you use?

What about silver, gold, blue or white?

After doing professional autograph signings for years, we've had athletes sign thousands of jerseys. We've seen which pens work well, which ones don't, and which jersey materials can cause problems.

The most important thing to understand is that the best pen for getting a jersey signed depends on the type and color of the number being signed.

For most jerseys, there are only a few pens you really need to know about.

And there is one color we recommend never using on a fabric jersey number: white.

Let's break it down.

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First, Know What Type of Jersey You Have

Before choosing an autograph pen, look at the jersey itself.

For autograph purposes, we can generally divide jerseys into two categories:

1. Sewn-on numbers
2. Screen-printed numbers

The material is important because a pen that works beautifully on one surface may perform terribly on another.

This is especially true with paint pens.

Sewn-On Jersey Numbers

Sewn-on numbers are generally made from twill or a similar fabric material.

If you run your hand across the number, it feels more like fabric than plastic.

These are usually very easy to get signed and give you several options when choosing a pen.

Screen-Printed Jersey Numbers

Screen-printed numbers are completely different.

Instead of a piece of fabric being sewn onto the jersey, the number has a smoother, almost plastic-like surface.

Nike Game jerseys are a common example.

We've also encountered Mitchell & Ness jerseys with screen-printed numbers, including some of their higher-end jerseys.

This distinction matters because paint pens can have a difficult time drying on certain screen-printed numbers.

That's why your first question shouldn't be:

"What pen should I use?"

It should be:

"What type of number am I getting signed?"

Once you know that, choosing the pen gets much easier.

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Best Pens for Screen-Printed Jerseys

If you're getting a screen-printed jersey signed, our advice is simple:

Use a Sharpie.

We generally don't recommend paint pens on these numbers because we've seen situations where the paint has difficulty drying properly.

Think of the surface almost like signing plastic rather than fabric.

For most screen-printed jerseys, we stick with two basic choices.

Light Number: Black Sharpie

If you're getting a white or other light-colored screen-printed number signed, a black Sharpie is usually the easiest choice.

It's simple.

It dries quickly.

And it creates good contrast against a light number.

Dark Number: Silver Sharpie

Here's one of the few situations where we actually like a silver Sharpie.

If you've read our other guides about silver Sharpies, you know we're usually not huge fans of them.

But screen-printed jersey numbers are an exception.

If you have a dark number on a Nike Game jersey, Fanatics-branded jersey or another jersey with a similar screen-printed surface, a properly working silver Sharpie can look very good.

It also dries much better on these surfaces than many silver paint pens we've tried.

So for screen-printed jerseys, keep it easy:

Light number = black Sharpie

Dark number = silver Sharpie

You don't need to overthink it.

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Best Pens for Sewn-On Jersey Numbers

Sewn-on numbers give you more options.

At Powers Sports Memorabilia, we have a particular Pilot marker that we've used extensively. You may hear us refer to it as the "zebra" pen because of the striped design on the marker.

It's the green, no-xylene version.

We've found that it produces a nice, bold autograph on sewn-on jersey numbers.

However, here's something important:

You do not need this exact pen to get a good autograph.

It's a Japanese marker that can be difficult to find in the United States.

Collectors sometimes hear about a particular pen being used by professional autograph companies and immediately think they need to track down that exact marker.

You don't.

There are other perfectly good options.

A Black Sharpie Works Just Fine

For a light-colored sewn-on number, you can absolutely use a black Sharpie.

Will it always be quite as bold as some of the markers we use professionally?

Maybe not.

But it can still produce an excellent autograph.

The important part is preparing the Sharpie properly.

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Don't Use a Brand-New Sharpie Without Testing It

Here's a little trick we've learned from doing signings.

If you're using a black Sharpie on a fabric jersey number, don't necessarily pull a brand-new marker out of the package and immediately hand it to the athlete.

Use the marker first.

Run it on some scrap material or another appropriate test surface for roughly 30 seconds to a minute.

You're trying to get the ink flowing while slightly working in the tip.

A completely fresh Sharpie can sometimes create a thinner signature than you want.

After using the marker for a little while, the tip can broaden slightly and produce a thicker, bolder autograph.

Obviously, you don't want to destroy the tip.

You're just breaking it in.

If you want an even thicker signature, a larger Sharpie-style marker can also be an option.

Whatever pen you're using, always test it before handing it to the athlete.

That's one of the simplest ways to prevent autograph problems.

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What About Paint Pens on Sewn-On Jerseys?

Paint pens can work very well on sewn-on numbers.

For dark jersey numbers, our preferred choice is usually a:

Silver fine-tip Deco paint pen.

Silver creates strong contrast against dark numbers, and we've had very good results using silver paint pens on sewn-on jersey numbers.

Gold can work too.

We've seen gold used effectively on jerseys such as San Francisco 49ers jerseys, where the color can complement the team's look.

However, our usual preference for a dark number is still silver.

It's easy to see, photographs well and generally gives the autograph plenty of contrast.

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Never Use White on a Fabric Jersey Number

If you remember only one warning from this guide, make it this one:

Don't use a white paint pen on a fabric jersey number.

White seems like it should work.

You have a dark number.

You want a bright autograph.

White sounds perfect.

Unfortunately, we've repeatedly seen white perform poorly on fabric.

The white can absorb into the material and begin looking gray. Instead of getting the bright white autograph you imagined, the signature can become dull and difficult to see.

We've seen this problem enough times that our policy is simple:

We don't recommend white on fabric jersey numbers.

The same concern applies to fabric patches on sports cards.

If somebody requests white on a fabric jersey number for one of our signings, we're generally going to switch that request to silver because we want the customer to receive the best-looking autograph possible.

So if you have a dark sewn-on number:

Use silver.

Gold can also be an option.

But skip the white.

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Can You Use Blue Sharpie on a Jersey?

Yes.

If you have a white or light-colored number, a blue Sharpie can work.

Some collectors prefer blue because blue Sharpie is such a traditional autograph color.

We generally prefer black on jerseys.

To us, black usually provides a cleaner look and better contrast on a light jersey number.

But this is partly personal preference.

If you like the appearance of blue, it's certainly an option on the right surface.

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Be Careful With Cheap or Unlicensed Jerseys

The quality of the jersey itself can affect the autograph.

We've had customers send us inexpensive overseas jerseys where the material behaves very differently from officially licensed jerseys.

One particular example involved a jersey being signed by Lawrence Taylor.

The customer requested black Sharpie.

As soon as Lawrence Taylor started signing it, the ink began bleeding across the number.

His reaction was perfect:

"We've got a runner!"

And he was right.

The ink was running through the material.

The pen wasn't necessarily the problem.

The material was.

That's one reason we generally recommend officially licensed jerseys for autograph signings.

You're usually getting more predictable materials, which gives us a better opportunity to produce a clean autograph.

That doesn't mean every unlicensed jersey will bleed or every licensed jersey will sign perfectly.

But material quality absolutely matters.

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Why Jersey Material Matters So Much

This is an important lesson that applies beyond jerseys.

When choosing an autograph pen, you aren't simply choosing a color.

You're matching ink to a surface.

A pen that performs perfectly on one item can be terrible on another.

Think about how different these surfaces are:

A glossy sports card.

A leather football.

A baseball.

A photograph.

A hockey puck.

A fabric jersey number.

A plastic-like screen-printed number.

They're completely different materials.

There shouldn't be one universal "best autograph pen" for all of them.

That's why we always want to know what is actually being signed before choosing a marker.

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Quick Guide: Best Pens for Autographed Jerseys

Here's the simplest way to remember everything.

Those aren't the only combinations that can possibly work.

They're simply the choices we've had consistent success with through our own autograph signings.

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Don't Overcomplicate Getting a Jersey Signed

This is probably the biggest message from this guide.

Jerseys are not difficult items to get signed.

Collectors sometimes spend way too much time worrying about the exact brand, model, tip size and obscure marker somebody mentioned online.

You don't need to.

If you can't find the exact marker we use professionally, that's okay.

A good Sharpie can produce an excellent autograph.

The most important things are:

• Know whether the number is sewn-on or screen-printed.
• Match the pen color to the number.
• Use Sharpies on screen-printed numbers.
• Use silver paint pens on dark sewn-on numbers.
• Never use white on fabric.
• Test the pen before the athlete signs.
• Use a quality jersey whenever possible.

That's really it.

Keep it simple.

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What If You Send Your Jersey to Powers Sports Memorabilia?

If you're sending your jersey to us for one of our autograph signings, you don't need to become an expert on pens.

We'll choose the appropriate type of pen for the surface.

If you request black, we'll determine which black marker works best for that particular jersey.

If you request silver, we'll determine whether the jersey needs a silver Sharpie or a silver paint pen.

That's part of conducting professional autograph signings.

We've seen a lot of different jerseys and materials over the years, and our goal is always to choose a pen that gives you the best opportunity for a clean autograph.

You don't need to get too deep into the weeds.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Pens for Signed Jerseys

What is the best pen for getting a jersey signed?

It depends on the jersey. For a light-colored number, a black marker or Sharpie is usually a great option. For a dark sewn-on number, we generally prefer a silver fine-tip Deco paint pen. For dark screen-printed numbers, a silver Sharpie can work very well.

Should I use a Sharpie or paint pen on a jersey?

Look at the number material. We prefer Sharpies on screen-printed numbers because paint pens can have trouble drying on those surfaces. Paint pens can work very well on sewn-on or twill numbers.

What is the best pen for a dark jersey number?

For a dark sewn-on number, we generally recommend a silver fine-tip Deco paint pen. For a dark screen-printed number, a silver Sharpie is one of our preferred choices.

Can you use a silver Sharpie on a jersey?

Yes. In fact, screen-printed jersey numbers are one of the situations where we like silver Sharpies. They can work particularly well on dark screen-printed numbers.

Can you use a paint pen on a jersey?

Yes, particularly on sewn-on numbers. We frequently use silver paint pens on dark twill numbers. We are much more cautious with paint pens on screen-printed numbers because they may not dry properly.

Can I use a white paint pen on a black jersey?

We don't recommend using white on a fabric jersey number. In our experience, white tends to absorb into the fabric and can turn gray or become difficult to see. We prefer silver for dark fabric numbers.

Is black or blue Sharpie better for a jersey?

Both can work on light-colored numbers. We generally prefer black because we like how it looks on jerseys, but blue is certainly an option.

Should I use a new Sharpie for an autograph?

A fresh marker is good, but test and break it in before the signing. We like to run a Sharpie for roughly 30 seconds to a minute before using it on a fabric jersey number. This gets the ink flowing and can help the tip produce a slightly bolder autograph.

Why did my Sharpie bleed on my jersey?

The material itself may be responsible. Some lower-quality or unlicensed jerseys use fabrics that cause ink to spread or bleed. Always test the pen on an inconspicuous area or similar material when possible.

Are officially licensed jerseys better for autographs?

We generally recommend officially licensed jerseys because the materials tend to be more predictable. That can reduce the risk of unexpected bleeding or other issues during the signing.

What size paint pen should I use on a jersey?

For silver autographs on dark sewn-on numbers, we generally like a fine-tip Deco paint pen. The appropriate size can also depend on the size of the signing area and the autograph.

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Final Thoughts

When it comes to choosing the best pens for getting jerseys signed, don't make the process harder than it needs to be.

Start by figuring out whether you have a sewn-on number or a screen-printed number.

Then choose your color.

For screen-printed numbers, keep it simple with black or silver Sharpie.

For sewn-on numbers, black works great on light numbers, while a silver paint pen is generally our favorite for dark numbers.

And whatever you do:

Don't use white on fabric.

We've conducted enough autograph signings to see what works and what doesn't. Choosing the right pen isn't about finding some magical marker that only professional autograph companies know about.

It's about matching the right pen to the right surface.

Do that, test your marker before the signing, and keep things simple.