I don't write on the back of my photos. I guess if they ever come loose from the page that'll just be tough. LOL

I don't write on the back of mine either.

Hi there,
I don't actually write anything on the backs of mine, but I do trace template shapes on the back to cut out. I use a photo labelling pencil. The one I have is from Creative Memories, although I am sure they would probably be available in a lot of places. It is similar(sp)(why can't I think of how that is spelled?? LOL) to a china marking pencil. I also sometimes use it on the fronts of photos to trace shapes and it rubs right off with a kleenex!
~mar~

I quit writing on the backs of my photos (I had always thought I should put name, age, etc. there) when several favorite photos where ruined when the ink came through the other side and ruined the print. I didn't have copies of them and really hated it. I don't trust any pens for them now. Penny

I did yearbook for a couple of years & I learned from the photographer, to only use the sharpie markers on the back of photos. It does not go through the picture and it dries pretty quick. Hope this helps! Sherry

I agree with Mar. I also have the photo marking pencil (grease pencil) from CM. It works great when using templates to crop and wipes off so easily with paper towel/tissue when you're done. It cost under $2.00 and should probably last a long time. It's safe for writing on the back of photos as well and doesn't show through or leave indents on the front of the photo.

I use the fine or ultra fine tip Sharpie markers, too. You can buy them just about anywhere- I seen them at the drug store, grocery store, office supply store, convenience store, KMart, etc. They are photo safe, acid free, etc. They don't leave indentations on the front, dry fast, and since they are permanent, don't smear and don't fade. That was what came with the starter kit I got, actually, so you know they're safe. It would be nice to have ALL my pictures labelled in case one gets lost, but I don't think I'd have time to do that! Good luck!
-Sarah

PLEASE don't use a Sharpie! They can bleed through the paper and show up on the face of your photo. The safest thing to use is the Stabilo pencil (china marker). CM sells these in blue but they come in a variety of colors. You can get them at an art supply store. When used to mark the front of a glossy photo for cropping the marks can be wiped off -- but when used to document the back of the photo the writing is permanent. They are soft enough that the impression of your writing will not telescope through to the face of the picture.

Here is a link that might be useful: Sue's Place - My Virtual Scrapbook

I can definitely see where a bolder point Sharpie could bleed through because they DO put out a lot of ink, but the finer point ones don't put out nearly as much ink. It's like writing with a ball point and I've never had a problem. Just be sure to use the finest point so you don't get a lot of extra ink to bleed through. Sue, I hope you didn't have a bad experience and see some precious photos ruined! It would be too bad to lose any photos because of the marking pen! :)

Thanks to all who responded! Lots of good ideas! Mostly, I am dating the backs of photos that won't make it into the various scrapbooks, and I plan to store them in photo boxes. The photos in my books have dates on that page. It is amazing how much more we've been enjoying our photos once they are cleverly displayed in books! Hurrah for scrapbooking!