Will an autograph fade or bleed into the ball if its on a nonofficial rawlings baseball?

Answer 1

The type of ink used, and the quality of the leather used on the baseball will effect the amount of bleeding. The more porous the surface signed the more chance of bleeding. Sharpie would have a better chance of bleeding into any Baseball. This is why ballpoint pens are recommended for use on baseballs.

The speed of signing the signature can effect the amount of bleeding as well. The longer the sharpie is in contact with the surface of the baseball the more bleeding will occur. A Sharpie signed signature on a porous surface like a baseball could continue to bleed well after it was signed. until the ink is completely dry. This bleeding (thinning out) could also lead to the signature fading quicker over time. Blue ballpoint pen has proven to hold up better against fading than other colored inks.

Think of a cheap baseball as being covered with a paper towel, and a quality baseball being covered with a piece of printing paper. As you write on the printing paper with a sharpie there will be some bleeding. As you write on the Paper towel the ink will be soaked up quicker leading to more bleeding. If you use a ballpoint pen on both you will have very little bleeding if any.

Keep your signatures away from sun light. Even reflected sun light will take it's toll over time. The Ideal conditions for display would be indirect lighting, at a room temperature of 65 - 70 degrees, and 50% humidity. Always check your signatures periodically for signs of fading or deterioration, and avoid excessive handling.