When it comes to fingerprint or signature guest books, your choice of ink pads and pens can make all the difference. Whether you're planning a wedding, baby shower, or retirement party, the right tools will help guests leave a clear, beautiful mark—and ensure your keepsake lasts a lifetime.
At BonjourEmma, we’ve designed hundreds of personalized guest books, and we’ve tested many ink pads and pens along the way. In this post, we’re sharing what truly works best—based on real use, not sponsorships or affiliate links.
🖐️ Why Ink Pad Quality Matters for Fingerprint Guest Books
Fingerprint guest books are a fun, interactive way to capture memories. But not all ink pads are created equal. Cheap ink can bleed, smudge, or fade—ruining the look of your artwork and your guests’ prints.
Here’s what BonjourEmma recommends looking for in an ink pad:
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Fast-drying to avoid smudges
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Non-toxic and acid-free (especially important for baby showers)
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Vibrant, true-to-color impressions on light cardstock
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Archival quality to ensure your guest book lasts for years
🎨 BonjourEmma’s Favorite Ink Pads (Tested and Loved!)
1. Tsukineko Memento Ink Pads (Dew Drop & Full Size)
These are our absolute go-to ink pads for most guest book styles. They dry quickly, the colors are crisp and elegant, and they don’t smudge easily. The Dew Drop shape is also perfect for little fingers and multicolor setups.
2. Distress Ink Pads (Mini or Regular)
Distress inks are ideal for soft, vintage tones—great for rustic weddings, outdoor ceremonies, or designs like our Deer Antlers or Wedding Tree guest books. The color blends have a watercolor feel we absolutely love.
3. Let’s Color Ink Pads
Let’s Color ink pads offer bold, punchy colors that really pop. They’re budget-friendly and easier to clean off fingers compared to Memento or Distress inks. While they don’t have archival quality, they’re still a great option for casual events or colorful themes. We love using them for rainbow or pastel palettes, especially with designs like our Up House or Tandem Bicycle fingerprint balloon guest books.
💡 BonjourEmma Tip: Avoid bulk-pack ink pads with generic branding—these often fade, smudge, or feel watery on smooth paper.
🎯 How Many Ink Pads Do You Really Need?
Here’s what BonjourEmma recommends based on guest count:
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Up to 50 guests: 1–2 ink pads should be enough
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50–150 guests: Set out 3–5 pads to avoid lines
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Use 4–7 coordinated colors for themed events or rainbow-style guest books
✍️ Best Pens for Signature Guest Books (Or Writing Over Fingerprints)
Many of our guest books have space for guests to write their names beside a fingerprint or sign directly on the page. For a smudge-free, beautiful result, BonjourEmma recommends these tried-and-true pens:
Top Pen Recommendations:
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Sakura Micron Pens – Archival ink, waterproof, and excellent for writing over fingerprint ink. Our top choice.
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Uni-ball Signo Gel Pens – Smooth, easy to use, and great on matte cardstock.
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Sharpie Fine Point – A reliable option, but test before your event to make sure it doesn’t bleed on your paper type.
For Dark Paper Guest Books:
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Use white, silver, or gold gel pens (such as Gelly Roll or Pilot Juice Up) for striking contrast.
✨ BonjourEmma Tip: Skip felt-tip markers and wet gel pens—they’re more likely to smear or bleed.
🛠️ BonjourEmma’s Setup Tips
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Provide a test card so guests can try the ink or pen before signing the guest book
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Provide wet wipes or tissues for easy cleanup, and place a small trash bin nearby for used wipes
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Place ink pads in small trays or containers to keep things neat
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Print a small instruction sign (e.g., “Please leave a fingerprint and sign your name”) to guide guests—for fingerprint guest books only.
At BonjourEmma, we include a pre-printed instruction card with all physical fingerprint guest book orders, and a free printable sign with all digital orders.
💬 Final Thoughts from BonjourEmma
The ink pads and pens you choose may seem like a small detail—but they help transform your guest book into a truly lasting keepsake. With the right tools, your guests will leave colorful, heartfelt marks that you’ll treasure for years.
We hope our tested recommendations help make your event extra memorable.
🎁 Looking for a Guest Book That Guests Will Love Signing?
Browse our hand-illustrated fingerprint and signature guest books—personalized for weddings, baby showers, birthdays, retirements, and more:
👉 Shop All Guest Books at BonjourEmma
