That’s why I sign important documents in blue ink. Since I use a fountain pen, I sometimes mix blue and black to come up with a certain shade that I have never seen in any other ink. (Not for security; I just like the shade better than some bottled ink. For example, Waterman blue-black is fine, but Scrip blue needs darkening.)
But for cheques I tend to use a black roller-ball. No reason, really; that’s just what I use. I suppose when that pen runs out of ink I’ll just use my fountain pen for cheques.
In school, we weren’t supposed to use red ink when we were permitted to use pens instead of pencils, because the teachers used red ink for grading. That way, there wouldn’t be any confusion.
So I guess if someone does say something, I can say, “I have it on good authority that many reccomend using red pen, as it shows up better blah blah blah…”
[hijack]I learned this trick from a former boss, and have used it since:
If you have a contract that you think will be tampered with, sign it in non-reproducing blue ink. That way, if it’s copied, the signature won’t show up. Of course, you’ll have to sign legitimate copies again, but that way, you’ll know those copies are legit.
[/hijack]
Robin