# 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:** 6\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2016, 5:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-know-the-right-pen-to-use-for-autographing-a-kindle/745049/21 "2016-02-03T17:48:31Z")
Having your devices autographed is not that uncommon. I know CGPGray talks about doing it. ---
**Author:** ![Deeg](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/deeg/32/2955_2.png) [@Deeg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Deeg)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2016, 6:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-know-the-right-pen-to-use-for-autographing-a-kindle/745049/22 "2016-02-03T18:13:10Z")
I would suggest buying a book if only because it will probably store better than a Kindle after you stop using the Kindle. I will say, though, that an autographed Kindle is pretty cool while you’re still using it. Maybe get one of each? ---
**Author:** ![misling](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/3ab097/32.png) [@misling](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/misling)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2016, 6:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-know-the-right-pen-to-use-for-autographing-a-kindle/745049/23 "2016-02-03T18:18:53Z")
Joann’s and Michael’s and other craft stores have pens for all surfaces, including plastic, and the packaging will say what the pen is good for. Paint pens are usually best for plastic, but the paint needs to be formulated to stick on smooth surfaces (plastic, glass, & metal) to be effective. ---
**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, 6:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-know-the-right-pen-to-use-for-autographing-a-kindle/745049/24 "2016-02-03T18:20:28Z")
I suppose I should put my two cents in, though: This is one of your **favorite** authors, right? Go buy a copy of whichever of her books you like the most and get her to sign that, maybe even along with the Kindle. It’s really nice to have a signed book on your shelf - it gives the volume a weight and a memory that can’t otherwise be replicated. When you see it on your shelf, even amid the other books, it’ll stand out to you. Nobody else will know, but you will. It’s nice. ---
**Author:** ![Peremensoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ce7236/32.png) [@Peremensoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peremensoe)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2016, 8:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-know-the-right-pen-to-use-for-autographing-a-kindle/745049/25 "2016-02-03T20:31:06Z")
An analog signature with an old-tech physical pen is inappropriate for a digital revolutionary who reads only from screens. Open a file where the author can type her name. > [@Hampshire](#): > > I don’t find it all that odd. Wasn’t there an I-pod that had the signatures of U2 on it? Not hand-signed, no. ---
**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 18, 2016, 9:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-know-the-right-pen-to-use-for-autographing-a-kindle/745049/26 "2016-02-18T21:11:07Z")
Forgot to update this. Sarah Vowell signed the back of the Kindle with a paint pen. Since I mentioned that 4 of her books were on it, she added, “4 books … so far”. Very witty lecturer and charming person, even if she did look a little tired and bedraggled at the end of the book signing. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anyone-know-the-right-pen-to-use-for-autographing-a-kindle/745049.md?page=1)