which pen won't bleed on wood?

[Selwyn]

Made an ash bench for everyone to sign at my wedding.

Not oiled it or finished it yet. Anyone got any advice for what to do? Should i oil before people write on it and what kind of pen won't bleed for signatures?

 

[MattRoberts]

I'd do a few test pieces. Pen bleeding occurs when the material soaks the ink too readily, so arguably putting a sealing finish on and then using a permanent marker shouldn't bleed much. But testing is the sure way to find out

 

[Glynne]

My daughter had guests sign miniature cricket bats at her wedding (husband is an avid cricket fan). If I remember correctly, the bats were finished with a matt varnish and "sharpie" pens worked fine.

 

[bugbear]

I'd give a wipe of shellac. Almost any die based ink will run otherwise.

BugBear

 

[dugluss]

Hi there, I do something similar with ink on wood, so depending on the wood, I find sanding to a fine grit 240 grit and up really closes the pores of the wood and the ink does not bleed. There are a lot of variables there though. Think it depends on the wood and how it sands to finer grits and also the pens / inks you use. Just an idea though so - sand a piece up to or more the 240 grit and write on it. See what happens.

 

[BearTricks]

You could finish it first then use a sharpie marker, which will write on anything, then apply another layer of finish over that. I'd do a test piece though.

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[profchris]

You could finish it first then use a sharpie marker, which will write on anything, then apply another layer of finish over that. I'd do a test piece though.

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I'd do that, but I'd also test the final coat of finish. You don't want it to dissolve all those signatures! If pen and finish are compatible, make sure all the signatories use that kind of pen.

 

[Jacob]

Solvent based inks bleed less - they dry very quickly. Non water based felt tips (you can small the solvent) indian inks etc

 

[ED65]

...what kind of pen won't bleed for signatures?

If you're after a marker then one that uses pigmented ink is a pretty safe bet. Not that a standard permanent marker of the Sharpie type can't work well but pigmented ink is absolutely lightfast and not prone to bleeding, something that can't be said of many 'permanent' markers. One downside is they tend not to adhere as reliably to a range of surfaces as a conventional marker.

 

[Random Orbital Bob]

I frequently use a black sharpie on the bottoms of turned pieces that have had sanding sealer applied and it never runs. I use a lot of Ash too.

 

[Benchwayze]

Buy a cheap pyrography pen. The guests might get carried away with the novelty mind!

Staedtler Lumocolor permanent CD/DVD 'S' (Slim)

I just tried a black one on raw pine, and on a shellac finished coaster. Goes on easily, and doesn't bleed and dries instantly.

(hammer)