# Anyone know the right pen to use for autographing a Kindle? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [February 3, 2016, 12:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-know-the-right-pen-to-use-for-autographing-a-kindle/745049 "2016-02-03T12:40:44Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Boyo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2016, 12:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-know-the-right-pen-to-use-for-autographing-a-kindle/745049/1 "2016-02-03T12:40:44Z")
I’m going to a lecture by one of my favorite authors next week, and I’ like to get her to autograph a book for me. But all my copies are e-books on my Kindle, and I’d like her to autograph _that_. I’m reluctant to just test a bunch of stuff on it and mess it up, but I thought maybe one of you have already solved this. My first thought is a Sharpie, and my second thought is a brush and some tiny jar of paint of some kind. The back of the Kindle is … let’s say matte black. ---
**Author:** ![Count\_Blucher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c5a1d2/32.png) [@Count\_Blucher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Count_Blucher)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2016, 12:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-know-the-right-pen-to-use-for-autographing-a-kindle/745049/2 "2016-02-03T12:47:54Z")
Silver sharpie? ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2016, 12:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-know-the-right-pen-to-use-for-autographing-a-kindle/745049/3 "2016-02-03T12:59:12Z")
Oh, come on. Buy a dead tree copy of one of her books and have her sign that. Or use a silver sharpie. ---
**Author:** ![Boyo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2016, 2:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-know-the-right-pen-to-use-for-autographing-a-kindle/745049/4 "2016-02-03T14:03:50Z")
But I have 4 of her books on my Kindle. She can sign all 4 with one signature. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2016, 2:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-know-the-right-pen-to-use-for-autographing-a-kindle/745049/5 "2016-02-03T14:25:51Z")
> [@Boyo\_Jim](#): > > But I have 4 of her books on my Kindle. She can sign all 4 with one signature. 🙂 But there are other authors’ works on the kindle, right? I’ll give you points for clever, but come on.😉 ---
**Author:** ![bob\_2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bob_2/32/3341_2.png) [@bob\_2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bob_2)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2016, 3:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-know-the-right-pen-to-use-for-autographing-a-kindle/745049/6 "2016-02-03T15:19:43Z")
In my experience the rule on getting an author’s signature is usually that you qualify by buying a book. I am sure that they will catch up with the digital revolution eventually, but I doubt that day is here yet. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_Bravo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_bravo/32/493_2.png) [@Johnny\_Bravo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_Bravo)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2016, 3:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-know-the-right-pen-to-use-for-autographing-a-kindle/745049/7 "2016-02-03T15:28:21Z")
> [@bob\_2](#): > > In my experience the rule on getting an author’s signature is usually that you qualify by buying a book. I always figured the rule for getting an author’s signature was being a fan and making the effort to show up and ask for a signature. Besides, an autographed Kindle is basically going to advertise that author every time **Boyo Jim** pulls it out on the subway. Why wouldn’t she be thrilled to autograph something so permanent? ---
**Author:** ![Hampshire](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hampshire/32/4887_2.png) [@Hampshire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hampshire)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2016, 3:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-know-the-right-pen-to-use-for-autographing-a-kindle/745049/8 "2016-02-03T15:48:56Z")
I don’t find it all that odd. Wasn’t there an I-pod that had the signatures of U2 on it? ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2016, 3:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-know-the-right-pen-to-use-for-autographing-a-kindle/745049/9 "2016-02-03T15:58:57Z")
> [@Boyo\_Jim](#): > > But I have 4 of her books on my Kindle. She can sign all 4 with one signature. 🙂 An autographed kindle will decrease in value. ---
**Author:** ![Philster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/13edae/32.png) [@Philster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Philster)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2016, 4:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-know-the-right-pen-to-use-for-autographing-a-kindle/745049/10 "2016-02-03T16:00:55Z")
Sharpie is a brand; it’s not a type of ink/paint. You want a paint pen. > **[Paint Pens | Michaels](https://www.michaels.com/shop/art-supplies/paint-painting-supplies/paint-pens)** > > Paint pens are a must-have for any craft enthusiast's DIY kit. Unleash your inner artist with the perfect painting pens and markers from Michaels. ---
**Author:** ![Boyo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2016, 4:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-know-the-right-pen-to-use-for-autographing-a-kindle/745049/11 "2016-02-03T16:27:22Z")
> [@Fear\_Itself](#): > > An autographed kindle will decrease in value. This is interesting – the idea of the value of the Kindle changing. I was talking about it with my car pool this morning. My idea was that once a Kindle dies (and it’s quite old), it’s worth nothing. But if it’s an autographed dead Kindle, it might be worth … something. Anyway, on what do you base your opinion? Or have you found some evidence that makes this a fact? ---
**Author:** ![Boyo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2016, 4:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-know-the-right-pen-to-use-for-autographing-a-kindle/745049/12 "2016-02-03T16:29:13Z")
> [@bob\_2](#): > > In my experience the rule on getting an author’s signature is usually that you qualify by buying a book. I am sure that they will catch up with the digital revolution eventually, but I doubt that day is here yet. I’ve bought 4 of her books. They’re just in a non-paper form. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2016, 4:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-know-the-right-pen-to-use-for-autographing-a-kindle/745049/13 "2016-02-03T16:34:31Z")
> [@Philster](#): > > Sharpie is a brand; it’s not a type of ink/paint. Sure, but in common parlance for at least the last few decades it means Sharpie brand permanent marker. I, too, would have thought a silver Sharpie permanent marker would work fine. ---
**Author:** ![Boyo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2016, 4:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-know-the-right-pen-to-use-for-autographing-a-kindle/745049/14 "2016-02-03T16:44:05Z")
> [@Philster](#): > > Sharpie is a brand; it’s not a type of ink/paint. > > You want a paint pen. > > [Paint Pens | Michaels](http://www.michaels.com/painting/paint-pens/845162977) Thanks, [I’ve found this.](http://www.staples.com/Sanford+Sharpie+Permanent+Paint+Marker/directory_Sanford+Sharpie+Permanent+Paint+Marker). I’ll go to the local store and see if I can buy less than a six pack of them. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2016, 4:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-know-the-right-pen-to-use-for-autographing-a-kindle/745049/15 "2016-02-03T16:45:10Z")
I have an autographed NFL football, signed by a friend of mine who is a retired player. I’ve shown it to friends and tossed it around over the years and the signature is wearing away. I keep meaning to get him to autograph another. ---
**Author:** ![pidgeon92](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/50afbb/32.png) [@pidgeon92](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pidgeon92)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2016, 4:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-know-the-right-pen-to-use-for-autographing-a-kindle/745049/16 "2016-02-03T16:45:42Z")
Spraying a fixative on it afterwards might help keep it from deteriorating, though I don’t know how those do on plastic, they’re generally used for paper. You could also put a clear decal over it to preserve the signature. ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2016, 4:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-know-the-right-pen-to-use-for-autographing-a-kindle/745049/17 "2016-02-03T16:47:04Z")
> [@Boyo\_Jim](#): > > This is interesting – the idea of the value of the Kindle changing. I was talking about it with my car pool this morning. My idea was that once a Kindle dies (and it’s quite old), it’s worth nothing. But if it’s an autographed dead Kindle, it might be worth … something. > > Anyway, on what do you base your opinion? Or have you found some evidence that makes this a fact? Since the market for autographed Kindles is rather thin, I don’t have any cites. But, since you asked, in my opinion an autographed book has a higher likelihood of appreciating in value than an obsolete Kindle, whether autographed or not. ---
**Author:** ![Philster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/13edae/32.png) [@Philster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Philster)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2016, 4:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-know-the-right-pen-to-use-for-autographing-a-kindle/745049/18 "2016-02-03T16:48:51Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > Sure, but in common parlance for at least the last few decades it means Sharpie brand permanent marker. I, too, would have thought a silver Sharpie permanent marker would work fine. Which is why I chimed in. Many Sharpies are not permanent markers – even ones that we traditionally think of as ‘permanent’ - so saying ‘Sharpie’ nowadays and sending someone to grab one will very often result in a common and not-very-permanent marker. Even when their most common marker was ‘permanent’, I still wouldn’t say it was best suited for the task at hand. . ---
**Author:** ![Boyo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2016, 5:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-know-the-right-pen-to-use-for-autographing-a-kindle/745049/19 "2016-02-03T17:26:16Z")
One of my friends says I should buy a Kindle cover and get that autographed. I expect it has about the same issues – maybe more if its some kind of textured faux-leather thing. Any thoughts on whether this would be preferable? ---
**Author:** ![brossa](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/brossa/32/3040_2.png) [@brossa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brossa)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2016, 5:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-know-the-right-pen-to-use-for-autographing-a-kindle/745049/20 "2016-02-03T17:47:08Z")
Sharpie does make paint pens, which I have used to good effect in the past to write permanent labels on smooth plastic and metal surfaces. The paint is oil-based, is not alcohol-soluble, and does not rub off as easily as regular Sharpie marker ink. [Amazon link to 5-pack](http://www.amazon.com/Sharpie-Oil-Based-Assorted-Metallics-1770458/dp/B003YDYO1Q) There are also finer-tipped versions; the thick ones have a blunt tip about 1/8" across. They are not quite as simple to use as a standard Sharpie, though - they have to be shaken to mix up the paint, and the tip has to be pushed in and held down for a moment to get the paint flowing. If the tip isn’t charged properly you get a flow of solvent without pigment in it, or a big drop of paint that smears easily. I usually start the pen working on a piece of scrap paper, then move to the project surface after the paint flow is stable. The paint also takes several minutes to dry completely. Despite these drawbacks, I haven’t found a system that works better for durability, color intensity and opacity, and portability. The metallics really do leave a bright looking finish, much nicer than the regular Sharpie metallic ink. ETA: what **Philster** said [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-know-the-right-pen-to-use-for-autographing-a-kindle/745049.md?page=2)