FP to Sign the back of Credit Cards?

[eriquito]

So, I'm sitting here looking at newly minted credit cards (replacements, I didn't go credit crazy... yet). As usual, the sticker on each instructs me to sign the back of the card. My question...

Has anyone ever tried signing the back of a credit card with a fountain pen? How'd that work out? Did the ink ever dry? Did the ink even come out of the pen?

I'll probably search the house for a ballpoint and sign them that way - unless someone with experience here can convince me otherwise.

Oh! I'll use the old cards as a testing ground! They're already signed, but I can get an idea of what to expect.

But yeah... if anyone has any thoughts, I'd love to hear (read) 'em.

Eric

[Tracy Lee]

My handwriting is too neat and too easy to copy so I don't sign mine. I would probably use a gel pen though, for durability and level of difficulty to alter. Or a sharpie. I have used a sharpie in the past.

[Jon Szanto]

One of the few areas I'd use a BP. Not only to avoid wipe-off and whatnot, but I press DAMN hard and make an indentation on at least the strip, if not the card itself.

[Mags]

No Fountainpen has ever worked for me. I use a G2 pen which is in a Bolt by Karaskustoms or my MB ballpoint. Maybe BSB would work if you wrote slow but that darn signature strip is toooooooo narrow for those of us using a B or BB nib.

[Waski_the_Squirrel]

Honestly, fountain pens are wonderful tools, but they are not the best tool for every job. Signing the back of a credit card (or, indeed, any kind of slick surface) is one of the jobs better suited to a ballpoint.

[tandaina]

There are some modern jobs where a ballpoint just makes sense. This is one.

[Jon Szanto]

There are some modern jobs where a ballpoint just makes sense. This is one.

After becoming so fetishistic about using fps for the last few years, I finally realized "don't be an idiot!". So I bought a cool old Jotter from Sam @ Pendemonium, put a gel-refill in it, and I always have it with me. Just for those moments.

BTW: anyone know where I can purchase glow-in-the-dark nail polish? Is this common, or should I source it on the Net? That is an honest question.

[Neo]

Those strips were probably designed with ballpoints in mind.

[Quantum Sailor]

I have actually used a fp to sign a credit card and it survived approximately one trip in my wallet before disappearing.

[rwodaski]

Learned this at my bank: the pros use a fine or XF Sharpie.

[Bogon07]

Rollerballs and liquid ink pens usually smear off just like a fountain pen too.
So credit and other cards are mostly ballpoint or finepoint indelible marker jobs.

[Chrissy]

I would always use a BP for that job. I don't think other types of ink last well enough.

Then again, my credit cards probably get much more use than most though

[migo984]

I don't have credit cards and I don't tend to sign my bank/debit cards. Can't remember the last time anyone checked my signature. It's all about the PIN these days.

[Cob]

I have actually used a fp to sign a credit card and it survived approximately one trip in my wallet before disappearing.

You should have used ESSRI!!

Cob

[Cob]

Unfortunate my signature seldom fits into the pathetic little "boxes" provided these days.

I just had my driving licence application returned because "my signature extended outside the white box" SO I had to do a miniature version which hardly resembles my signature.

And the box on a Card is hopeless.

Cob

[kaisnowbird]

My handwriting is too neat and too easy to copy so I don't sign mine. I would probably use a gel pen though, for durability and level of difficulty to alter. Or a sharpie. I have used a sharpie in the past.

Yep, I keep a fine-line sharpie around the house for these things. Used to label CDs with it, but CD/DVD burning days are long over. :sigh:
Modern technologies are so short lived.

I tried signing my Amex with a fountain pen the last time, failed quite miserably. Lucky I used Waterman Serenite Blue, which got wiped right off with a damp tissue.

[dneal]

Learned this at my bank: the pros use a fine or XF Sharpie.

Every soldier worth his salt has a few packs of these. They're as permanent as anything I've ever found.

http://shopus.staedtler.ca/c/find-by...permanent-sets

[Costanza]

Learned this at my bank: the pros use a fine or XF Sharpie.

Yes - I found that this is the best choice. I actually use a fine point Sharpie, but same idea.

[Robert]

I use a laundry marker to sign my credit cards.

[eriquito]

Thank you to everyone who helped resolve this burning question!

My own testing proved two things:

1. A fountain pen (at least mine) will put down a bit of ink, but that ink will instantly disappear (absorbed into the strip)?

2. A gel pen will let you get your signature onto the strip, but it will never, ever, never dry. Smears right off.

As many have noted, the absolute best solution is a fine or extra-fine Sharpie.

On a side note, I did successfully sign my new passport with a fountain pen (after first testing the paper of my old passport). It worked so well, I think we should ask the State Department to begin offering Field Notes type notebooks =)

Eric