| The main benefit of custom blue-ink pens is that you | | | | Upon close examination, if you see a combination of |
| can quickly discern an original signature from a | | | | what looks to be an original signature and the tell-tale |
| photocopy. This has made the blue-ink pen the | | | | signs of a copy -- then you know that the copy was |
| preferred choice among lawyers, title companies and | | | | altered. This is important if you're trying to figure out if |
| the medical profession across the nation. | | | | someone is lying. For instance, if someone tells you the |
| Now, nearly every time I speak the words you just | | | | document before you is an exact copy of the original, |
| read, someone brings up color copiers. "Yeah, but | | | | then all parts of the signature would contain dots and |
| what about color copiers, huh?" | | | | bits of color. But if you see a combination of solid color |
| Well, the fact is, you cannot color copy a blue-ink pen | | | | and dots, you'll know the copy has been altered. |
| signature and fool anyone who knows the secret. And | | | | In addition to delivering the ability to quickly tell an |
| here's the secret: If you look at a blue-ink pen signature | | | | original signature from a copy, another benefit of |
| with a jeweler's or printer's loop, and you see hints of | | | | blue-ink pens is largely cosmetic -- it simply looks good. |
| red and black in addition to the blue, ... you're looking at | | | | Often a blue-ink pen signature looks striking on the |
| a copy. The other dead giveaway is if you see little | | | | page set off against a sea of black type. In addition, if |
| dots of color as opposed to solid color with streaks in | | | | you use a Post Script (PS) at the bottom of your |
| it. The streaks in an original blue-ink pen signature run | | | | letter, signing the letter with a blue-ink pen can drawn |
| with the curve and flow of the stroke. Streaks in a | | | | attention to the bottom of your page immediately. |
| copy will be straight, either horizontal or vertical. | | | | If you feel that only a black-ink signature is appropriate |
| The reason a color copier or scanner/printer can't | | | | for a business letter, you can still use blue ink to hand |
| accurately reproduce a custom blue-ink pen signature | | | | write a PS or to make other attention getting notations |
| is because color copiers and scanner/printers use | | | | to the letter. |
| CYMK (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow and Black) to make | | | | If document security issues are important to you, you |
| colors. The copy of the blue-ink pen signature must | | | | may want to invest in a jeweler's or printer's loop -- |
| use dots of cyan, red and black to reproduce the color | | | | the equivalent of a pocket microscope. They are |
| of the blue-ink pen. If the copier or scanner/printer uses | | | | available from most graphic supply stores and where |
| RGB (Red, Green & Blue) you'll likely see dots of | | | | magnifiers are sold. Keep in mind, a regular magnifying |
| green and red. | | | | glass won't give you the magnification you need to |
| Understanding how color copiers and printers work is | | | | see the detail. So ask for a loop. |
| important because it will give you the power to detect | | | | Whether part of an overall document security protocol |
| if someone has altered what is presented as a copy | | | | or to simply dress up your written communication, |
| of an original. | | | | custom blue-ink pens deserve consideration. |