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Signing with a pen/marker

Joined
Feb 8, 2007
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Location
Huntingtown, Maryland
I am looking for tips on signing your work with a pen/marker. What types of pens/markers work best? Would you need to sign the raw wood and then finish, or sign after the finish has been applied? If you sign before the finish is on, would it be best to seal the wood first? Any suggestions would be appreciated.
 
signing work

Hi Paul,

I use a fairly fine black marker pen. I make sure the ink is waterproof (the pens my wife buys to write on bags for the freezer work very well).

I sign my work with a small tree logo on top of the finish. It seems to work perfectly well on top of wax, melamine, danish oil etc. I think a little experimentation would soon see you finding a suitable pen & method.

Good luck.

Bob
 
Signing

I have used a Koh-I-Noor Rapidograph technical pen for many years. Used it to sign the custom fishing rods I used to build so I decided to see if it would work with bowls. I sand the bottom to 320 or 400 to make sure the surface is reasonably smooth for writing. The ink dries almost instantly and is available in colors as needed. These pens require some maintenance to keep from plugging.

Then I finish the bottom the same as the rest of the bowl, box, or whatever. :)
 
pens

Paul Stolarik said:
I am looking for tips on signing your work with a pen/marker. What types of pens/markers work best? Would you need to sign the raw wood and then finish, or sign after the finish has been applied? If you sign before the finish is on, would it be best to seal the wood first? Any suggestions would be appreciated.


I just use sharpies-black, but have got silver and gold for dark wood. (office max, art area) Engrave my name.
I use Danish oil, and usually the pen after the finish. Occasionally I have written the wood species on af green turning-so I don't forget the kind of wood- and then after returning months later apply the finish on top of the ink. it sometimes smudges. So you should apply over the finish. Gretch
 
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