Posted by pat/WA on 11/3/10 3:59pm
Msg #359521

Blue or Black

Same old question. Does it really matter?
Some say Blue some say Black. No rhyme or reason.

Reply by Deborah Breedlove on 11/3/10 4:16pm
Msg #359523

I always use Blue, unless spefically instructed otherwise. I got into this habit because most instructions say to use blue - I assume because it shows that it's not a copy. However, with the prevalence of color copiers nowadays, who knows?

Reply by MW/VA on 11/3/10 8:35pm
Msg #359563

Ditto. I've been told it's so they know originals. n/m

Reply by James Dawson on 11/3/10 4:27pm
Msg #359525

Black ink will copy exactly! Blue ink will copy with spot's and cracks no matter whether it's copied in black or blue. I know this because I've had someone forge my signature. My Granddaughter informed me of this, she is an FBI agent. She says that's one way to detect signature fraud. Even if they copy a signature signed in blue ink, it cannot be duplicated under the microscope! Go grand-kids!

Reply by Doris_CO on 11/3/10 4:56pm
Msg #359528

Interesting information James. Thanks for sharing that.

Reply by James Dawson on 11/3/10 5:10pm
Msg #359530

I was advised that when I sign my name to never lift the pen off the paper. As notaries, we sign a lot of Docs and can be target more the most. Never lifting the pen creates a even flow of the ink (the cheaper the pen the better).

Reply by Les_CO on 11/3/10 5:13pm
Msg #359531

I always use blue unless instructed otherwise. My stamp is blue too. I’ve done this a few times. Okay James you are saying that a signature in blue ink with all its cracks and spots, cannot be duplicated as easily as a signature, or a copy of a signature in BLACK ink? Therefore it is preferential to use blue rather than black for security reasons?
Me.... I just like blue better, and honestly think it makes my QC review easier. JMO

Reply by James Dawson on 11/3/10 5:19pm
Msg #359534

I am saying that is what I was told as a result of my signature being forged. I'm sure someone will despute it and that's OK, first of all I'm answering the post. Second, and for you Les, R B (my granddaughter) says, "Gramps, just use blue and you'll be okay", I believer her!

Reply by OR on 11/3/10 8:26pm
Msg #359560

Re: Blue or Black... I was at a signing...

I was at a signing with a police officer. He said that most people who forger do a great job. However the police can measure how deep a person presses their pen into the paper when they sign, which cant be duplicated.

Reply by Moneyman/TX on 11/3/10 10:56pm
Msg #359568

James' answer makes sense to me

On the lowest of low level, from a security standpoint, originals that are signed in blue ink are easily separated from copies of the same document. So, yes, his answer does make sense to me.

As for me, 99%+ of the time I use blue ink. The other time, it is at the request of the SS or TC that I use black ink. My seal is also in blue ink.

Reply by Susan Fischer on 11/3/10 11:57pm
Msg #359572

Blue unless a huge RED FLAG that the world will end if

black isn't used.

I use a variety of sizes, and have two penagains ( http://www.penagain.com/ ) for my fellow seniors who love not having to ~grip~ a pen for dozens of painful signatures/dates. [plus they're fun for kids as distractions - the spring sends up the 'rocket.' Sought out the penagains years ago after a RM where the poor dear ~taped~ my fattest pen in her fingers to sign the stack. It broke my heart, and so I fixed the problem.

Some people like skinny pens. Some (~moi~) like fat pens. One borrower had a very, matter of fact HUGELY FAT pen, because he was 6'7 and weighed in at 385. I said I'd never seen such a HUGE pen before, and he laughed - "Want it?" he asked? "Yes, but only if it fits in my pen box, which, happily, it did. A year or so down the highway, ran into another Tall, big-handed man.

I knew it was his.

Pens are important. Blue ink is better for me because I can better scan docs on the re-check. Like Engineers scanning dials, lights, and other indicators, my scanning for info in a contrasting color is helpful.

jmho.

Reply by JanetK_CA on 11/4/10 3:57am
Msg #359577

Back in the day, I think black was preferred because many copiers (nearly all monochrome in those days) in common use did not copy blue ink - or any other color - at all effectively. So black was a must. That kind of equipment is probably pretty rare these days, and as we all know, it's easy to get a non-color machine that can easily copy any color, including blue. So I believe that has led to blue ink becoming the preferred ink color for reasons pretty well covered already.

Reply by jojo_MN on 11/4/10 11:08am
Msg #359607

It depends on where the document is being recorded. In La Crosse County, WI if you use blue ink, the county will deny it and require it to be re-signed. Black is the default color for Wisconsin. Some counties will accept blue. Blue is the default for Iowa and Minnesota also; but, some will accept black ink.

Always check with the hiring entitiy if not listed or if you are not sure which color (if any) is required.

Back in 2003 I had a title company tell me I had to go back out to the borrowers house because the county recorder denied the paperwork because it was signed in blue ink. They sent a letter sent by the county. I was told I need to do it at my expense and pay for the shipping. Luckily, I had the confirmation and first page of docs showing that they wanted everything signed in BLUE ink. Needless to say, I got paid for both closings and they paid for shipping both times.

Reply by LynnNC on 11/4/10 11:08am
Msg #359608

I use blue ink unless specifically told to use black, as is the case with the Stewart Title offices I work with.

One advantage with blue ink is that it is much easier to review the documents for proper initials, signatures and dates.