question about identifying pics on back

I know they sell blue color pencil that is photo safe. Creative Memories sells one for sure.

Welcome Wanda....glad that you de-lurked to ask your question and I hope that you will stay around :o) I am fairly new to scrapbooking, so don't have all the answers I'm afraid. I have heard some say that pencil-marked pics have not shown any deterioration over the years. I also read on another site that china-markers were best for details on the back of pics and I know that that is what some of the photographers use to mark their serial numbers.....so there is a lot of different views on the topic. Personally, I think that there is unlikely to be any hard and fast answer......as it will depend on many factors! Photo paper used, type of photo-processing, heat, humidity, all sorts of other things also!!!!! For example...if a photo has been handled regularly and the acid from skin has transferred to the photo it may deteriorate quicker than one that hasn't seen much handling. From the UK government National Archives they suggest writing lightly on the back with an HB pencil is the best way to go.

I don't know if they US has an equivalent grading system but an HB is a mid range pencil...i.e. neither too hard or too soft. The more H's the harder the pencil and the pics you talk of showing the sharp point edges may have been written on with a hard pencil.....H or higher!!!!! Having many spoiled pictures from 60's/70's magnetic albums and dodgy processing methods I have chosen to scan an reprint my pics and leave the originals stored in photo-safe storage. Scanned pics are written to several CD's to avoid loss in the event of a CD breaking down. If they don't last....then to bad! I scrap for my pleasure and I try to take care but I am not obssessive about AF/LF This is one of the best sites I have ever visited and this is there answer to the pencil question So....if they are using "should" I would suggest that even they are hedging their bets LOL This site is the collaboration of many top archivers, scrapbooking companies, adhesive manufactures and imaging people. I hope this helps a little :o)

Welcome to RCS Wanda! I use an acid-free, permanent, pen to write the identifing info on the back of pictures. I thought there was such a thing as a photo pen that's designed specifically for writing on the back of photos, but I'm not sure anymore.

Welcome Wanda! Sorry, don't have the answer, but hope you stay delurked! :))

Judy, SA

Hi Wanda, I don't have anything to add re your question, but would like to welcome you to RCS, and hope that you will keep posting and tell us a bit about yourself. luv Cec...xxx