Creative Autograph Collecting Ideas?

[albarellic]

Just wondered if anyone had any luck getting signatures on clear plastic, like photo pages. Thinking that they could be scanned and then duplicated onto a scrapbook page with her photo of the character after the trip?

We did something similar. Instead of plastic we used plain white scrapbook paper. I picked up 100 photomats (4.5"x6.5"), cut each in half and had enough cards for 200 signatures (should last a couple of trips if not more). When we got back my husband scanned them all 78 of them (39 characters-1 for each kid). Then I picked out the ones that I liked the best, isolated them in Photoshop and dropped them onto my digital scrapbook pages.

This is our first trip doing that. One the previuos trips I got colored photomats (primary and pastels) and did the same thing, but I paper scrapped them then. I only cut about half of the mats and left the others whole so I could mount a picture next to the signature using the same color.

I just saw a great blog post this morning where the person took an iPad/iPhone with a big stylus and had the characters sign on that instead of paper. That would eliminate the need for scanning them.

I also want to say I LOVE the backpack. What a great idea!

 

[albarellic]

delete duplicate post

 

[Tasmen]

I know you said you didn't want a book, but I figured I'd mention this. We are going with a scrapbook type of autograph book this year that I bought off etsy. It's made of golden storybooks and scrap paper for a unique type of autograph book with blank pages in it for drawings, writing down memories, etc.

 

[disney is my life]

Did you carry this bag filled with your stuff or have it empty with you just for signatures? Did you use a hoop or clip board to help with the signatures? I think this is a great idea and looking for tips! Thanks!

We didn't put our stuff inside that bag and we kept that one inside of the one we used for our park stuff. That particular backpack folds nicely it is also a very well made backpack if you are looking for one. My dd16 has had one by that brand for 4 years and is still in almost perfect condition. We didn't use a hoop or clipboard my dd just held it flat when needed. we used the sharpie stained markers and they were great. They don't smudge or bleed through. The characters loved it! When jasmine signed it she put her name dead centre because she said that her name isn't on enough merchandise! Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

 

[Gilrond]

Last time I used 3 x 6 cards that I had decorated in advance. The disadvantage was trying to figure out which cards to carry each day. On the other hand, one of my best Photopass pictures was with Aladdin and Jasmine talking about the cards.

I like Agrabah Insider's idea and plan to use a small art book with very heavy (watercolour weight) paper. I will doodle some borders and cartouches ahead of time and fill in more detail after. I plan to use the same book for journaling.

 

[snowweisz]

I did the Vinylmation thing.

Back when I was looking for this, they didn't have the white one, only the white brick one, so I ultimately decided to go for it and it was a great choice because it ended up looking beautiful and I'm very happy with it.

I just wish I had gotten more signatures. My first few days I was being very picky about which characters I got to sign it, worried I'd run out of space. But I actually ended up with plenty of empty space so this year I am getting another one and getting every character I can to sign it, especially cause I'll go to MNSSHP!

 

[sac25]

I did the Vinylmation thing.

Back when I was looking for this, they didn't have the white one, only the white brick one, so I ultimately decided to go for it and it was a great choice because it ended up looking beautiful and I'm very happy with it.

Does anyone know if this can still be done at WDW?? I'd love to do this when we go at the end of the month but I've read some old posts saying disneyland characters had been made to stop??
Thanks a million

 

[MickeyMouseCD524]

I don't know if anyone else has suggested this but I haven't seen it so far. I purchased an artist's sketch pad 8X11. Get something with at least 70-80lb paper and a ring binder so you can fold the cover all the way over. I've used stickers, cut up photographs, and cut outs of Disney characters to decorate this. I'm making my own travel journal / autograph book for the kids (and me). I've written down a list of the best questions I picked out of the mouseforless website to put in there. Now the kids can be involved creating this, they can draw pictures, & we can customize it as we go. The best part is it should get us the best autographs (with space to eventually paste a picture of my kids with the character next to the autograph).

I used to be a Disney character and the secret is that they actually love to sign autographs but only when it seems valuable to the guest. You see so many Disney bought autograph books in a day and you figure this autograph of yours is just another item to check off a list for the guest you are in front of. I could sign 50-100 autographs a set and close to a thousand on a full day. You get into auto pilot mode with them. But when you see a home made autograph book, you know the guest really cares about your autograph and you put a lot more effort into it. You know that this guest will show it off often and not just toss it in a box like most Disney mass produced autograph books end up. Plus, if you have a quality piece of sketch paper, an artist's pen or at least a sharpie in good shape, (and wonder of wonders) the extra space beyond the typical small 4X6 space you find in the Disney autograph book; then you really want to go to town and see how nice and elaborate you can make your autograph for once. When I was doing this for a living, if I ever got something like I just described, the I would take some extra time and personalize it, write down a movie quote, or even draw a cartoon or character related picture on the autograph. It snapped me out of my autograph routine and made me really pay attention to what I was doing.

Try it out.

I drew all of the characters on our last trip and had each character sign their drawing and they absolutely loved it. I remember the one cast member I can't remember his name but God bless him he was so sweet. He was working with Pocahontas and he saw stack of index cards with the drawings on them as I was trying to find hers and stood next to me the entire time we were waiting which was forever, looking at every single one of them and it was a great experience with the cast member and he pulled his favorites and out of the pile and was showing them to everyone. My niece hated it because I was getting all the attention, but I ate it up. I will never forget that, making your own autograph "book" can make for some really special experiences with the characters it's great.

 

[BigMommaMouse]

I don't know if anyone else has suggested this but I haven't seen it so far. I purchased an artist's sketch pad 8X11. Get something with at least 70-80lb paper and a ring binder so you can fold the cover all the way over. I've used stickers, cut up photographs, and cut outs of Disney characters to decorate this. I'm making my own travel journal / autograph book for the kids (and me). I've written down a list of the best questions I picked out of the mouseforless website to put in there. Now the kids can be involved creating this, they can draw pictures, & we can customize it as we go. The best part is it should get us the best autographs (with space to eventually paste a picture of my kids with the character next to the autograph).

I used to be a Disney character and the secret is that they actually love to sign autographs but only when it seems valuable to the guest. You see so many Disney bought autograph books in a day and you figure this autograph of yours is just another item to check off a list for the guest you are in front of. I could sign 50-100 autographs a set and close to a thousand on a full day. You get into auto pilot mode with them. But when you see a home made autograph book, you know the guest really cares about your autograph and you put a lot more effort into it. You know that this guest will show it off often and not just toss it in a box like most Disney mass produced autograph books end up. Plus, if you have a quality piece of sketch paper, an artist's pen or at least a sharpie in good shape, (and wonder of wonders) the extra space beyond the typical small 4X6 space you find in the Disney autograph book; then you really want to go to town and see how nice and elaborate you can make your autograph for once. When I was doing this for a living, if I ever got something like I just described, the I would take some extra time and personalize it, write down a movie quote, or even draw a cartoon or character related picture on the autograph. It snapped me out of my autograph routine and made me really pay attention to what I was doing.

Try it out.

I love this idea! Thanks for all the information, going to get started looking for supplies.

Beth

 

[wdw_nutz]

Hey,
I am looking online right now for cotton bags in a pale plain cover. My plan is to take fabric pens and let the characters sign my bag!

I know it won't last forever, but I'm getting the large shopper kind so there will be lots of space. I'll also bring a clipboard (that fits in the park bag!) so they have something to lean on.

Any thoughts on whether this will work?!

Thanks!

 

[lilyandlizasmom]

Hey,
I am looking online right now for cotton bags in a pale plain cover. My plan is to take fabric pens and let the characters sign my bag!

I know it won't last forever, but I'm getting the large shopper kind so there will be lots of space. I'll also bring a clipboard (that fits in the park bag!) so they have something to lean on.

Any thoughts on whether this will work?!

Thanks!

Sounds like it will work to me. I may even do the same thing!

 

[amahunik]

I have seen on various sites where families have used the matting for a frame to have all of the characters to sign and then return home to add a family picture from the trip- similar to the popular guest sign-in at weddings. Anyone try this and, if so, how did it work out?
I have 5 kids ages 15-6, the older ones won't want a book, but last time 5 books was just too much- most ended up in a toy box. So I know this time I want just one set of signatures shared. We are surprising the kids for Christmas break, so I know it's going to be a nuthouse, so also figuring in any shortcuts that we can is a big plus!

 

[Trina0981]

I have seen on various sites where families have used the matting for a frame to have all of the characters to sign and then return home to add a family picture from the trip- similar to the popular guest sign-in at weddings. Anyone try this and, if so, how did it work out?

I'm curious as well. how did you prevent it from getting bent? Did you carry it around in a backpack? That's our plan, but I'm worried it will get bent or destroyed.

 

[brooke789]

I did the Vinylmation thing.

Back when I was looking for this, they didn't have the white one, only the white brick one, so I ultimately decided to go for it and it was a great choice because it ended up looking beautiful and I'm very happy with it.

I just wish I had gotten more signatures. My first few days I was being very picky about which characters I got to sign it, worried I'd run out of space. But I actually ended up with plenty of empty space so this year I am getting another one and getting every character I can to sign it, especially cause I'll go to MNSSHP!

We bought this brick vinylmation at the character warehouse after our 2013 trip! We're packing it for our trip next month! Yours looks amazing! Can't wait to see how ours turns out!

 

[ConnecticutNonna]

This past December we were celebrating our anniversary and DH found a Mickey and Minnie anniversary card. We had characters sign that! Also, we have dear friends whose anniversary is really close to ours, so we asked them if they would sign theirs as well. Since they were going in January we combined the card with a Disney gift card. They loved it!
AND don't forget about Lady and The Tramp. You can get their autograph at Tony's Town Square restaurant. So cute!

 

[ConnecticutNonna]

I'm curious as well. how did you prevent it from getting bent? Did you carry it around in a backpack? That's our plan, but I'm worried it will get bent or destroyed.

it fits in a huge bigger than gallon size baggie. we put ours in there and had another smaller baggie with different colored sharpies. We had a lightweight tote bag so it fit perfectly.

 

[Jannephotog]

I'm working on making 4x6 watercolor paintings for characters to sign when we visit in fall. I've put details and symbols that represent the characters in them & am getting them autographed & putting them in the photo album we have for WDW.

 

[ConnecticutNonna]

I'm working on making 4x6 watercolor paintings for characters to sign when we visit in fall. I've put details and symbols that represent the characters in them & am getting them autographed & putting them in the photo album we have for WDW.

You must have artistic talent! Nice idea!

 

[Jannephotog]

You must have artistic talent! Nice idea!

Thanks, I try! I'm not the best but it's been a fun stress reliever lately.

 

[ConnecticutNonna]

Thanks, I try! I'm not the best but it's been a fun stress reliever lately.

Completely off topic...
I've seriously been considering buying one of those adult coloring books and trying it out.
I did pass kindergarten and can stay within the lines!
That, however is the extent of my artistic ability!