INSTRUCTIONS FOR PUTTING NUMBERS
ON ARTIFACTS

• Black (India) and/or Opaque White Ink
• Crow Quill (#104) Pen Nib(s)
• Nib Holder (Pen Handle)
• Acryloid B-72 Solution, or Clear Nail Polish
• White Acrylic Paint
• Acetone, or Nail Polish Remover (Non-Oily)
• Paper Napkins or Paper Towels
• Scratch Paper

Be very careful not to separate artifacts from their provenience information during this process!

Make sure you understand what numbers to put on the artifacts.

Make sure the surface of the artifact where you will put the number is clean, dust-free, and completely dry.

• Estimate the amount of space the number will require.
• Don’t obscure points of analyses.
• Don’t use surfaces which might be covered by mending.
• The surface you choose should be smooth enough to write on.
• Whenever possible put the number in the correct orientation for viewing the artifact (not upside down, or at some odd angle).

• Unobtrusive
• Legible (Small But Readable)
• Durable, But Removable

Use Black (India) Ink or Opaque White Ink as appropriate to the color of the artifact.   For the sake of neatness, try to avoid using white paint as a background unless you need to build up a flat enough surface on which to apply the number.  If you must use a white background, use an acrylic (water-based) paint rather than Wite-Out or Liquid Paper, which aren't removable.

Step 1.  Undercoat

Put down a layer of clear nail polish (or better yet, Acryloid B-72 solution) for undercoat where the number will go.  This will:

• Seal the surface so the indelible ink won’t soak into the artifact,
• Provide a smoother surface for inking, and
• Make it possible to remove the number with a solvent if it should become necessary.

Make sure to keep the cap screwed on tight when the nail polish isn’t being used. This will keep it from evaporating and becoming too thick to flow easily.

Let the nail polish dry thoroughly before inking so that the pen point doesn’t stick and blur your work.

Step 2.  To Ink the Numbers

• Dip only the sharp point of the nib into the ink, then wipe the point gently against the edge of the bottle to remove excess ink.
• Draw a line on a piece of scratch paper to make sure the ink is flowing properly and to remove additional excess ink.
• Apply the number using a very light pressure on the point. (Use a light hand—this isn’t a ballpoint pen.)
• Use only downward/sideways strokes--Don’t try to complete circles in one stroke.
• Repeat the process for each artifact, stopping frequently to clean the nib.

Cautions:

White ink flows differently than black, so practice on a piece of paper before using either one on artifacts.

The white ink needs to be shaken thoroughly before use. Do not shake the black ink.

Keep a paper towel or napkin under the ink bottle at all times, because it will spill, and the ink is indelible.

Keep the cap screwed on tight when not using the ink.

It’s important to get into the habit of stopping frequently as you work to thoroughly clean the pen nib with a paper napkin. Be careful not to bend the point in the process. Keeping the nib free of dried ink buildup is necessary to allow the ink to flow smoothly so your work is tidy. Never use water to wash the pen/pen nib—the nib will rust and be ruined.

Step 3.  Top Coat

When the ink is dry, carefully (lightly) apply a sealing coat of clear nail polish.

Let the nail polish dry thoroughly before putting the artifacts away.

Last Revised July 15, 2004 02:08 PM
By Jo Lynn Gunness