Today, I got 5 SFM 6X9 photos and one was from Rod Stewart. The 'autograph' was all scratched away, I took my nail to the part that was still there and it came right off. Is there a possibility that it could be real? I highly doubt it, but when I look at it I think it may be a possibility. I'll post a scan ASAP.

I Dont Think So....

That would be an auto-pen signature. A machine that writes the name on the photo. Some do scratch off. A pre-print is actually printed right into the photo.

RYAN J.

HEIDI KLUM DOES THAT....

A long time ago, I remember someone saying they sent a rather heartfelt letter to a celebrity via SFM - I don't remember the details of the letters (I think it was something about a sick relative being a big fan, but I'm not sure) or even the celebrity it was sent to, but someone working at SFM replied and said they'd forward the message to the celebrity, and that person wound up with a real autographed photo. At that time it was certainly believable, as SFM was as much a company that handles fanmail as it was one that sends out preprints, but now I can't help but wonder whether that person got suckered and actually had a preprint as well, or if the entire story was a lie altogether.

Does your Rod Stewart pic match either of these?
viewtopic.php?f=121&t=94375&p=411351&hilit=+rod+stewart#p411351
http://i439.photobucket.com/albums/qq11 ... MG2581.jpg

I have both and it doesn't seem like there's any way that the signature could scratch off. Why don't you email studio fan mail and I'm sure they will send you a replacement. They would probably want to know if there was a problem with a picture.

They may have used something along the lines of a Staedtler Lumocolor to sign/autopen the photo. I've heard that on glossy photos the Lumocolor doesn't adhere well to the glossy surface and can be easily scratched off with a finger nail, but have never tested it myself.