Surprisingly, the wrong color can be black, says Jim Angleton, president of Aegis, an issuer of prepaid debit and payment cards for businesses. „If you apply for a credit card in person, your bank may ask you to sign the application in blue ink.” The use of blue and black pens changed dramatically when the first regular Xerox 914 copier hit the market in 1959 and a historic transition from manual carbon printing techniques to an automated, faster and, according to studies, „more democratic” information system was made: the photocopier! „Banks usually have guidelines on how they want a check payable to a miner to be confirmed,” says attorney Matt Reischer, Esq., CEO of LegalAdvice.com. „Some banking institutions want the child`s name to be written and labeled in parentheses as a minor with the parent`s signature underneath.” Even if you deposit the money into your child`s personal bank account, it is illegal to sign your name or your child`s name on the back of the check that grandma sends to a minor for a holiday or birthday gift. The meaning of writing has existed for centuries: the first forms of written expression date back to 3500 BC. Over the centuries, writing has become in many ways more restrictive than oral communication. Whether it`s an X or a meticulously written entire name, a few strokes of pencil can become an unbreakable promise. But when faced with professional documents, how to choose between black and blue? Well, each color corresponds to a different scenario! In the days leading up to color copying, red didn`t photograph well either. Because they would appear weak or absent on a photocopy, red pens were considered taboo for signing or confirming checks, Wong says. Black ink is also a good option for all other types of legal and official documents, and in general, you should use it unless otherwise stated. Some governments, including China, take this so seriously that they reject forms because of the type of ink used to fill them out. Blue ink signatures are easier to distinguish on papers filled with a lot of black printing.

The securities company and lender will want to quickly verify the exact signatures of more than 100 pages of documents before the transaction is completed. The blue ink stands out in a sea of black ink. Plus, it`s dark enough to read and appear on a copy. Once your child is over 18, the verification rules are the same as for your spouse. Unless you have a power of attorney or written power of attorney, signing your child`s name on the back of a cheque could be considered fraud and could result in legal action by the bank or your child. This is because the blue ink on paper, which is usually filled with a lot of black (thin) printing, is harder to reproduce and easier to recognize. And Angleton says that because black ink is the most widely used printer ink color, it`s the simplest color that can be duplicated or copied via home software and a printer. Red ink, on the other hand, often causes a negative reaction – perhaps we can attribute some of this to the pens our teachers used to write down our papers. Red isn`t often used to sign documents, but not for the reason you might suspect. Red and colors such as green or purple do not necessarily look good on photocopied documents. Scanners cannot always recognize these colors, so signatures can be displayed very clearly or not at all. To avoid these possibilities, it is best to opt for the safest choice – black or blue ink.

For many years, I have advised my family, friends, and clients to ALWAYS use blue-inked data, initials, and signatures to confirm the original document from copies. In my opinion, it is not wise to use black ink for legally binding official documents. Anyway, the pen is more powerful than the sword. (Ask anyone who regrets signing their timeshare agreement.) So what color of ink is officially legal? All colors work. „This violation may result in the termination of the card, depending on the terms of the credit card agreement you signed,” Lesavich adds. With the COVID-19 pandemic in full swing, many people prefer to use their own pen when signing graduation documents. We understand their reasons, because we also avoid germs from strangers. Or maybe they just want to use their „lucky pen.” I can usually allow signers to use their own pen – as long as it`s a blue ink pen. Professional documents require the use of professional ink inks – and there are few exceptions. Using the wrong ink can do a lot more damage than you think.

Rejection is only one possible outcome. The real unfortunate may even be suspected of fraudulent activity. It is best to use blue or black ink for signatures. Avoid colors such as red, purple, and green. Ask your spouse and adult child to sign their own cheques – never in red ink – and get authorization if you need to bank on their behalf. Stock up on blue ink pens and save fancy ink colors for birthday cards. They will avoid legal trouble. When it comes to using black ink paint, the general perception is that black is considered more professional and looks „smarter.” Remember that ink quality is very important when signing a legal document. Many believe that the workaround for fraud is simply to sign „For deposit only” on the back of the cheque. But Gallagher says this tactic is far from foolproof.

If your spouse gets angry, he could always insist on the legal issue and claim that you stole the money.