Posts: 355
From: Andover, MN
Registered: Dec 2013

posted 09-15-2016 10:30 PM               

---

Does anyone have any advice on removing permanent ink (likely Sharpie) from a matte finish photo? I would like to remove a personalization from a photo with this finish.

I know how to remove Sharpie from a glossy photo by writing with dry erase marker over the Sharpie and then rubbing off carefully with a paper towel. I just don't know if this will work with a matte finish. This is an actual photo, not a litho.

Any advice is appreciated, even if it's to tell me that it's not possible.

Posts: 176
From: New York, NY
Registered: Mar 2009

Posts: 355
From: Andover, MN
Registered: Dec 2013

posted 09-16-2016 06:34 AM               

---

Out of curiosity, why do you feel it shouldn't be done (if it's possible at all)? I recently removed a personalization from a signed glossy book cover (non-space book) that I picked up at a garage sale. You'd never even know it was on there in the first place.

I'm not saying I'm going to attempt it. I'm just curious as to your rationale for not removing it if possible.

Posts: 873
From: Orlando, FL
Registered: Jan 2014

posted 09-16-2016 10:59 AM               

---

One reason to avoid removing a personalization from an item besides the fact that it may destroyed is although you may think no one can tell the inscription has been removed experts have eagle eyes for such details. If the item is authenticated, even the slightest trace of the removal will raise suspicion of authenticity and under extreme magnification even the best job will probably be detectable.

I have seen several items with the inscriptions removed and yes we can tell it's been removed.

Posts: 355
From: Andover, MN
Registered: Dec 2013

posted 09-16-2016 01:00 PM               

---

Thank you for your insight. The book I removed the inscription from was signed by a retired NFL player and has little monetary value. I'm not even a football fan, but got it free at the sale and gave it to my father-in-law since he's a big football fan. I figured he'd prefer it without the dedication to a random woman's name.

I think I'll leave the photo in question "as is." While it, likewise, doesn't have great monetary value, I don't really want to risk any damage, nonetheless.

Posts: 2343
From:
Registered: Aug 2001

Posts: 436
From: USA
Registered: Jun 2014

posted 09-18-2016 05:51 AM               

---

I know you've decided to leave it as is, but I thought I'd chime in for those who stumble upon this with the same question.

The biggest thing to remember is that not all matte photo papers are created equal. What works on one may or may not work on another.

The next thing is that saying that it's always possible to tell when ink was removed is just sampling bias. If you couldn't tell, you wouldn't know. I've seen some good, clean (invisible) removals and I've seen some bad ones. It all depends on the writing instrument, the paper, the pressure used in signing, the removal method, etc. There are a bunch of variables.