Question for those who get auto's in person.

Canes8387899101

Taking a vacation to the Shenandoah National Park in VA, and while we are there we are going to a National's game vs the Red Sox. Decided to make it extra special for my kid ( 6 yrs old), and me , and bought the batting practice experience. Since we are on the field during BP, I figured I should bring cards to get signed if the players will interact with the fans. What type of Sharpie/Pen is best to not smear? The cards I am bringing have a variety of gloss. I'm bringing Topps Chrome, regular Topps, and Heritage. Going to bring them in sleeves, and toploaders to keep them safe, but I don't want to smear the autograph when putting them back in the sleeve/toploader. Thanks for the help!

swish54

If you use Staedtler markers, you won't need to prep the cards. Otherwise if you use Sharpie, you will have to prep each one of them that has gloss. I like to use a small amount of baby powder and then wipe off with a kleenex. Some people use an eraser to rub the gloss off. Both methods work, and you're trying to get the gloss off so the autograph doesn't bubble. If you take Heritage type cards, you won't need to prep. If you want a ball signed, you'll need a Rawlings Official Major League Ball (ROMLB), not a cheap one, the real baseballs. Get it signed in a blue bic crystal pen. If you use a cheap ball or sharpie on the ball, it will bleed over time.

craig44

also, give the ink a chance to dry before putting them back in the soft sleeves.

Ridethelightning

In person autos is real. All the ‘auto authentication’ stuff is just so funny.

Canes8387899101

@swish54 said:
If you use Staedtler markers, you won't need to prep the cards. Otherwise if you use Sharpie, you will have to prep each one of them that has gloss. I like to use a small amount of baby powder and then wipe off with a kleenex. Some people use an eraser to rub the gloss off. Both methods work, and you're trying to get the gloss off so the autograph doesn't bubble. If you take Heritage type cards, you won't need to prep. If you want a ball signed, you'll need a Rawlings Official Major League Ball (ROMLB), not a cheap one, the real baseballs. Get it signed in a blue bic crystal pen. If you use a cheap ball or sharpie on the ball, it will bleed over time.

Would you prep regular topps cards with baby powder? Topps chrome would need it for sure. Again, thanks for the help.

swish54

Yes, anything except a heritage series needs prepped.

alifaxwa2

@Ridethelightning said:
In person autos is real. All the ‘auto authentication’ stuff is just so funny.

???
His question didn’t say anything by about authentication.

Cakes

Not sure your overall plan but the Fred Nats have our top pick Dylan Crews and he has been killing it.

Canes8387899101

@Cakes said:
Not sure your overall plan but the Fred Nats have our top pick Dylan Crews and he has been killing it.

Crews and Morales(Univ. of Miami) are both killing it in single A ball, and won't be down there long. No overall plan other than taking my little one to her first MLB game, and picking up some autos if the players are in a signing mood. Hopefully they interact with us some, and make it a memorable experience for her.

Vagabond

for any Topps base cards from 2020 and after, you'll have to rub the gloss off. You can do this with a slightly damp napkin and wipe the gloss off after rubbing for a few seconds or you can also put baby power on them to grab the auto. See YouTube on how some do this. For anything Chrome, same thing. Last thing you want is to get a good auto and to find out that the auto didn't fully stick because there was gloss on the card.

As for what I use, sharpie always does the trick. Most graphers today prefer blue sharpie. Always carry two in case one gets streaky or you lose one, you still at least will have another. The auto's dry pretty quick. I would say after about 5 seconds just to be safe. For Chrome, I would give it about 10 seconds just to play it safe too before putting it back in the penny sleeve.