Photo and Video Proof for Signed Football Shirts: Collector Guide

Photo and video proof matter. They link a player, a pen, and a Football Shirt. Yet visual proof alone is not authentication. Serious collectors treat it as one layer in a stack. This article explains the five proof types we use at Walkouts, how to test proof against a shirt, where fakes exploit media, and how to preserve value with documentation. You will learn to separate exact proof from generic proof, match shirt versions to era, and decide when a premium COA strengthens the case. Keep full resolution files and verifiable serials. Aim for evidence another expert can review without you present.

Paul de Metter, Founder of Walkouts: "Treat proof as evidence that supports authentication. Keep solid documentation so another collector can verify your item in minutes."

Proof types we use at Walkouts

The five definitions

We use five visual evidence terms, each with a different role. Photo Proof and Video Proof show a player with a shirt but may not capture the signature forming on your item. Exact Photo Proof and Exact Video Proof clearly show the autograph on your shirt. Photo Match is separate. It ties a shirt to a specific match through unique tells and does not verify who signed it. Treat them as layers. The closer the link to your shirt and autograph, the stronger the evidence.

How to weigh each type

Exact Video Proof is the strongest visual evidence of a signature, followed by Exact Photo Proof. Generic Photo or Video Proof helps when combined with shirt-correct details and a premium authenticator COA. Photo Match can transform value for match worn shirts, but it does not prove the autograph. Best practice pairs exact proof with a respected authenticator’s serial and live database record. That stack preserves liquidity when you resell.

Security for proof media

Use watermarked previews before sale. Share full files only with serious buyers. After purchase, store originals offline with item IDs and dates. Keep a simple log of filenames and what each file proves. Continuity of media supports grading and resale and prevents misuse of your proof online.

Below is a watermarked image. As the combination of this away shirt in combination with the player is less prone to forgeries, we use it as an example here without watermarks as well. We have the full video and Beckett LOA with exact match as well.

Testing proof against the shirt

Version and manufacturing tells

Confirm the shirt version in the proof matches the shirt in hand. Check maker labels, product codes, collar shape, mesh pattern, sponsor style, and hem elements. Compare sleeve patch type and placement by competition. Match name-set font, size, and material to the season. Exact proof should show the same variant and personalisation you own. If anything differs, stop and resolve it before you proceed.

This photo proof alone does not proof the autograph is legit by itself, as we cannot match it exactly from this one alone. Luckily, we have the full video.

Signature placement, size, and ink behaviour

Freeze frames to compare signature position and angle. Measure distance to seams or numerals. Compare line thickness and pressure. Polyester repels some inks; paint markers sit on top of PU numbers and can micro chip if flexed. Fibre tips may feather in open knits. If proof shows silver paint on a heat-pressed number but your shirt shows thin black on fabric, question the link. If the proof shows an inscription or date, confirm those characters exist in the same place on your shirt.

Identify the autograph on deviations that make it unique, like the stripe on the left fading. This will give the autograph a unique mark to check upon.

Timestamp and context checks

Record the date, location, event context, and who filmed the proof. Private signing or public crowd? Club facility or hotel? For exact video, ask for a short continuous clip that shows the area before, the signing action, and the finished autograph. For photo or generic video proof, request a still that captures enough detail to match version, patches, and the signed zone. Save booking emails or session briefs that tie the media to your item.

It is clear from the surroundings and kit Cody Gakpo is wearing the signing took place in Zeist, The Netherlands. This is the home base of the Holland national football team and has a spot for signings.

Session controls and witness logs

Strong private signings use item lists, numbered batches, and witness logs. Ask for the signer’s table angle, the pen used, and whether inscriptions were supervised. If a seller appears in the media, request frames before and after the signing moment. Keep names, times, and any witness details in your provenance note. These controls help later verification and reduce disputes.

Where fakes exploit visual proof

Recycled or misused media

Reused photos circulate. Run reverse image checks on public proof. Watch for identical angles used across different listings. Beware pile shots or distant crowd clips that never show your signed area. Ask for a unique frame in higher resolution. Compare the autograph’s shape, letter order, and pressure to your shirt. If proof cannot be tied to your item, discount it heavily or pass.

Staged or edited scenes

Superstars sign fast in crowds. That invites staged content. A clip that never shows pen-to-fabric is generic Video Proof. Basic edits occur. Guard against them by asking for sequential frames and correlating backgrounds to known session dates. When doubt persists, require independent authentication from a premium provider. Treat proof as supportive until an expert review closes gaps.

Autopen, tracing, and facsimiles

Autopen, pre-prints, and traced “refreshes” spoof confidence. Inspect stroke speed, stops, and tremor. Look for pooling at corners or doubled lines. Review the ink’s interaction with the surface under raking light. Compare to exemplars from the same era. Verify any hologram on the authenticator’s own site, not a seller-made page. If any element conflicts with period-correct details, pause and re-check.

Misattribution and wrong-era mixes

Mislabelling happens. Sellers may show a player with a different shirt version or a previous season. Ensure the patch and font rules in frame match the claimed competition and year. A stain that looks similar is not a photo match. Require multiple independent points for any match worn claim. Keep language precise in your file: probable when evidence trends one way, definitive only when the points are clear and unique.

Checklists by proof type

Use this table when reviewing proof. Follow the green checkmarks to act. Pair actions with serial verification on a premium authenticator’s site when appropriate.

Provenance stack, grading, and display

Combine visual proof with trusted authentication

Pair exact proof with a premium COA or LOA that has a live database record. Screenshot lookups and file them with your media. For NFC certificates on match worn items, record the chip ID and export any available PDF. Redundancy protects value.

Documentation workflow

Create a single dossier per item. Include product photos, macro shots of the signature, proof stills, authenticator certificates, serial lookups, NFC screenshots, and a one page provenance summary. Use consistent filenames and store originals in two places. This clarity makes expert reviews faster and resale smoother.

Signature quality, fabrics, and storage

Clean, consistent lines in smart zones grade well. On numbers, paint markers pop but may chip if flexed. On fabric, fine tips can feather along yarns. Frame with UV-filter glazing and avoid tight folds on signed areas. Photograph the item post-framing to record condition. Keep climate moderate and away from heat.

Collector takeaways: demand exact proof when possible, verify shirt versioning, add a premium COA for market confidence, and keep your files organised. For fact-led primers, see Knowledge Base. For practical case work, explore Collecting.