Writing on Instax prints

As per the topic title, any suggestions?

 

Tried a variety of markers and gel type ball points, nothing seems to 'set'.

Try a plain old wooden lead pencil , perhaps it will work.

As per the topic title, any suggestions?

 

Tried a variety of markers and gel type ball points, nothing seems to 'set'.

There was a very lengthy thread on the subject of signing prints a while ago, including info on some special purpose markers. I was unable to find it. If anyone is able to locate it, please post a link.

 

You might check Dick Blick Art Supplies online - huge variety of markers and pens. Can't recall if they have a chat line, but if anyone knows, they probably will.

Edited August 15, 2021 by Sandy Vongries

There was a very lengthy thread on the subject of signing prints a while ago, including info on some special purpose markers. I was unable to find it. If anyone is able to locate it, please post a link.

 

I haven't read this whole thread but it might be useful ....

 

How to Sign an Art Photography Print?

Another link that may be helpful ....

 

signing prints

Thanks, I feel I need to restate that I'm looking for something that works well on Fujifilm Instax prints though, ideally looking for some form of felt marker, but everything I've tried so far doesn't seem to 'set' and will wipe off 24 hours later.

I have an American Crafts brand fine-point photo marker that is supposed to have photo-safe ink for annotations. They might be available online. Have not tried on Instax prints, but I don't see why it wouldn't work.

but I don't see why it wouldn't work.

Probably for the same reason that nothing adheres to PTFE or polythene.

 

Have you tried just sticking a label on the print? Or abrading the surface to a matt finish first?

 

Maybe a branding-iron would work.

Edited August 25, 2021 by rodeo_joe|1

Have you tried just sticking a label on the print?

I do.

 

But sometimes, I want that stereotypical 'Polaroid' look.

 

I'll try asking Fujifilm.

BTW, I tried my photo marker on polyethylene and on a Polaroid print, and it doesn't rub off. It doesn't adhere well to polypropylene, though. Edited August 25, 2021 by m42dave

Markers for Instax Prints

Thank you!

 

Reading that, I grabbed what I thought was a Staedtler Lumocolor and tried it. It turned out to be a Stabilo OHPen, but it appears to have worked reasonably well, with only a little smearing if I rub hard.

 

I'll get a Lumocolor next time I see one.

 

Sharpies are unusual here, but I think I know of somewhere that might sell them.

 

Thank you again. I'd tried a variety of 'permanent markers', including Stabilo, Pentel and Edding, but without success.

 

Should have thought of the OHPen though, it's normally used for writing on acetate...

Permanent markers like Sharpie usually stick well enough to polyethylene,

though pretty much nothing sticks to Teflon.

 

I have a Listo marker, though, that I use to write on darkroom bottles,

though I am not sure you can still find them. They are a fancy version

of what in the US is called a grease pencil, which is a fancy version of what

kids call crayons. Wax is chemically close to polyethylene, which is

probably why they work. It is possible to rub off a polyethylene bottle,

but it takes some rubbing.

 

It seems that they still exist, though not as easily available as

they used to be:

 

Marking Pencils | Listo Pencil Company

Edited September 29, 2021 by glen_h

I used to use grease pencils for writing on laboratory glassware, back in university, very effective, would survive a wash, but could be removed if needed. Not quite what I was looking for here though.

 

Finally managed to get hold of some Sharpie markers and can confirm that they do the job nicely. Not the easiest to find in Europe, try looking in the kids colouring section of a supermarket, not an art shop!

Thanks, I feel I need to restate that I'm looking for something that works well on Fujifilm Instax prints though, ideally looking for some form of felt marker, but everything I've tried so far doesn't seem to 'set' and will wipe off 24 hours later.

 

Have you thought about maybe scratching into the print? as opposed to writing on it. It might create a neat and different "look" and would absolutely be permanent.

Have you thought about maybe scratching into the print? as opposed to writing on it. It might create a neat and different "look" and would absolutely be permanent.

You can, normally by 'writing' on the print with a ballpoint pen while it's developing (works better with Polaroid than Instax), but that wasn't the result I was looking for.

 

Thanks for the suggestion though.