Cels Forum

Dear Lady Z,

Well after much "research" at the art store (as seen in my
previous thread), I opted for a non-toxic, fade proof,
permanent paint pen.  As I said before, READ THE PEN'S LABEL
TO MAKE SURE IT'S XYLENE FREE AND NON-TOXIC (Don't buy a pen
that smells funny!).  The people at the art store said that
actually the BEST stuff for you to use on acetate are the
stuff that comes in JARS!  Unlike the stuff that comes in
pen form (that is easier for people to use in signings), the
stuff from jars (acrylic paint or INDIA ink) is VERY
permanent, fade proof, non-corrosive, fade proof, and
permanent!  All the stuff that comes in pen form that is
SAFE, NON-CORROSIVE, NON-TOXIC, AND FADE PROOF can STILL BE
EASILY SCRATCHED OFF EVEN WHEN DRY PLUS IT WILL STILL BE
STICKY WHEN DRY!!  The art store even sold special FILM INK
that fit all of the above specially made for use on acetate,
BUT that stuff is not sold in a convienient pen form =(!
Since I am having someone else signing stuff for me, I
didn't think that it would have been appropriate for me to
ask them to bring a jar of paint or ink PLUS a brush or
those dipping pens to use.  I think the other people in line
plus the signer would be very irritated!

So I just decided on the scratch off but safe (says non-
toxic specifically so no xylene) and somewhat permanent
paint pens.  To prevent the signature from peeling away
later if it sticks onto the bag, I plan on buying a separate
piece of acetate to lay over the cel and signature to just
get stuck together =).  Other options include (as discussed
before) just getting a plain piece of acetate signed or just
getting the pencil sketch signed (and you wouldn't have to
worry about all that stuff above except that the pen should
also be archival safe!).

If only they made the IDEAL pen that was NON-TOXIC, XYLENE
FREE, EXTREMELY PERMANENT, FADE PROOF, ARCHIVAL SAFE,
SCRATCH PROOF, NON-STICKY WHEN DRY pen, but they don't! =(
I hope that helps =}.


Sincerely,

Sonia