If you’re looking to make bold, vivid lines of color on a variety of smooth surfaces, but also need your markings to be easily removable, Carmel’s line of liquid chalk markers are the way to go.
Designed to be removed with a damp cloth from smooth, non-porous surfaces, liquid chalk markers are ideal for situations where markings need to be consistently removed and reapplied.
That makes them perfect for things like restaurant menu boards – which is why they are sometimes referred to as bistro chalk markers.
Liquid chalk markers apply paint that is VOC and solvent free. They are great for indoor use, but can also be used to write on surfaces that will stay outdoors, such as glass shop windows or notice boards.
Liquid chalk markings can be easily wiped away from these non-porous surfaces with a damp cloth, much like chalk can be wiped from a blackboard, but their composition is totally different. Unlike standard coloured chalk, liquid chalk markers create sharp, vivid lines of colour with much less potential for mess. There’s no powder to get on your hands, and markings are clear and long-lasting – until they are wiped away.
Liquid Chalk Markers Have Grown In Popularity Over The Past Few Years. You Can See Their Markings Everywhere, From Restaurants To Grocery Stores To All Kinds Of Arts And Crafts.
Even Though They Are Relatively Straightforward And Easy To Use, It’s Always A Good Idea To Learn How To Properly Use These Specialized Marking Tools.
When It Comes To Using Liquid Chalk Markers, It’s Easy To Remember This Rule Of Thumb: Just Shake, Pump And Draw.
1. Shake The Marker
Before use, it’s always a good idea to shake the marker a bit. Make sure to do this while the cap is still on.
2. Prime The Nib (Pump)
Like all valve activated markers, liquid chalk markers work by allowing paint to flow onto the nib (or tip), which is then applied to the surface as you write or draw. To make paint flow onto the nib, simply grasp the marker and push the nib down on a hard surface. You’ll feel it sink into the marker’s tube a bit, which will open a valve and allow paint to seep into the nib.
Push the marker up and down a few times to release the paint – you can give it up to 20 pumps each time you want to prime the nib.
It’s best to do this on a surface other than the one you’re writing on, so that you don’t mark your surface by accident. Try and hold the marker as upright as possible (at a right angle to the surface) so as to avoid drips or smudges.
Tip: Don’t apply too much pressure to the nib when pumping the markers. It can cause the nib to deform.
Tip: Always do a spot test before using the markers on the surface. This will allow you to see if the surface is compatible with your liquid chalk markers
Ideal surfaces include:
To remove liquid chalk markings from these types of surfaces, simply wipe them over with a damp cloth. You can also use a household cleaner to wipe them away.
Of course, you might want your markings to be permanent! If you do, follow these simple tips:
Secret world of the chalk marker exposed by our application analyst here at Cohas Chalkboard Systems.
The explosion of Chalkart used in Restaurants, Bars, Shops and even homes has Chalk Marker use growing at an exponential rate. Often shop owners and artists will use what may be at hand. Using the correct Chalk Marker can make the difference between a good display and a great one. Not as simple as classroom chalk made from limestone, chalk markers come in several specific types.
The one thing all chalk markers do have in common, regardless of who manufactures the marker is the fact that they use pigment based ink. Fine ground powder suspended in liquid solution makes pigment ink. When dry this chalk liquid provides the characteristic look of chalk markers, resembling the look of chalk. Pigment is good for many reasons, the greatest, but unseen one is that pigment is resistant to UV light. For this reason they do not fade as fast as dye based markers. Dye based markers include the classic whiteboard marker and permanent Sharpie brand marker. Both work well for indoor applications they are intended for, they will fade quickly when exposed to the sun.
This pigment also makes the chalk marker ink very opaque resulting in a good covering over any color background including black. In reality the fluid in the marker is closer to the paint family of products than the technology related to ink.
Ever notice how when you give a nickname to someone it often sticks? Over the years chalk markers have had this problem too!
Paint Marker, Chalk Ink, Chalk Pen, Bistro Marker, Paint Pen, Craft Marker, Poster Marker, Glass Pen, Liquid Chalk and of course Chalk Marker. The term “Chalk Marker” is a misnomer, not filled with chalk, it does make chalk like marks. Regardless of the name you use you will see them in use everywhere! A Manchester, New Hampshire company, “Adored” has even developed an app that pushes out local chalkboards to subscribers all across the country. In a survey commissioned by this company they found Chalk Art motivated consumers to visit a business 46% more than print and 10% more than photos!
Our customers like Whole Foods and Trader Joe’s have known this for years! Visit these stores and you will find chalk art beckoning you to your next culinary delicacy. In most of those environments they use waterproof chalk markers, let’s find out why.
These markers are most often used outdoors, as they will not come off in the rain. Use them on car windows, on the painted part of a car, plastic, glass, aluminum, steel and stone; any surface that is not porous will accept the marker. They work well on chalkboards and look like chalk when dry.
Even though they make a strong bold mark, waterproof chalk markers are semi-permanent removed with Windex. The marks made are resistant to UV light, so they will not fade. Both the Zig Posterman Waterproof and Markal Pro-Wash D (detergent) remove with high pH cleaners. Though our testing has found that the Markal products, as industrial level markers tend to take a bit more effort to remove.
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The waterproof marker will not “lift” when you re-coat after drying. The same color or different colors are used next to each other with no bleeding or streaking. Just let the liquid chalk dry for 1-2 minutes before adding the next color.
On paper, canvas, cloth or other porous surfaces, the marker leaves a nice matte finish; an opaque mark that is permanent and light-fast. Artists will find they can create giant size calligraphy with the larger markers.
This type of marker only removes with Windex, many kitchen cleaners, Zig Posterman Cleaner, Cohas Cleaning Solution or most whiteboard cleaners. The Windex must have ammonia to work. The chemical properties needed in the cleaner for removal is a pH of 10 or higher.
They are compatible with dry erase and wet erase markers on the same board. When removing the dry erase marker with an eraser, the waterproof mark will not remove.
Shop Waterproof Chalk Markers and Chalk Paint Pots
Used on glass, plastic, blackboards, stone, whiteboards and any non-porous surface, these markers will always come off with a damp cloth or sponge.
Often used for menus in restaurants or special boards, they are easy to change. Just wash away the item you would like to change. The Zig Posterman Wet-Wipe and Markal Pro-Wash W (water) are removed with a damp cloth or wet sponge.
The marks on your board can not be removed by brushing or rubbing. You must use water to remove the text or artwork on the board.
The majority of Chalk Markers on the market today will be Wet-Wipe style markers that are removed with water. If you are in a situation where your chalk marker is being affected by nearby water spray, food or beverage contact, or rain outdoors, select the waterproof semi-permanent marker when ordering.
On porous items wet-wipe markers will be permanent. Always test your surface and consider the application before use.
Most Wet-Wipe chalk markers will apply wet, then dry in about 1-2 minutes. When dry they can not be rubbed off, this works well for many inside applications.
Shop Wet-Wipe Chalk Markers
Illumigraph is the same ink type as Wet-Wipe in how it functions. The colors will be very fluorescent, especially under black-light, lights at night and on LED boards. Dark surfaces look best with this product. The appearance can be described as a true neon line when on a lighted board like a back-lit menu board or a LED Flashing Board.
These chalk markers will not damage your acrylic menu board surface and are removed by rubbing with a soft cloth. If the board has scratches or micro scratching, stubborn marks can be removed with a damp sponge or cloth. With a very smooth surface Illumigraph markers will remove very well with a dry eraser made for use on a white board. This is different than the Zig Posterman Wet-Wipe, Markal Pro-Wash W and most other brand Wet-Wipe markers.
When used on your boards, there’s no need to take them down to change them. Unlike the inexpensive markers, these high quality paint markers will not run when you load the tip. No more dripping and dribbling down the board! If your LED Flashing board came with markers, you will not believe the performance of the Zig Illumigraph markers when you replace them. Not only are the marks cleaner and brighter, they are also available in wider sizes allowing for big bold messages!
Once dry, the marks are easy to change; perfect for price changes or changing the special of the day on your message board.
Zig Illumigraph Markers should not be used outdoors, they will come off in the rain. Use care around energized electronic devices. Unplug your LED Flashing or Light Board before use and allow ink to dry. Follow the manufactures recommendation on your writing surfaces.
Shop Bright Ultra Violet Receptive Wet-Wipe Chalk Markers
While not often used for Chalk Markers the Markal Pro-Line made here in America has some unique features. For chalkboard applications we find them useful for stone, glass, tile, metal and other outdoor installations. Available in smaller extra fine and fine tips the Pro-Max is similar to the Zig Posterman 15mm Big and Bold marker. The Pro-Max has a 14mm tip size.
It is very important before you start your project to know your intended use and needs. Permanent Liquid Chalk, also called Liquid Paint Markers, can not be removed with water, Windex or detergent. You may be able to remove them with a solvent. It is important to note removal is not always possible even with a solvent.
Contact us to order Permanent Chalk Markers
While not used as Chalk Markers, often we see our customers searching for information on this type of marker. Solid Paint Markers are more like very large crayons than pens. The modern ones like the Markal Quick Stick and Quick Stick Mini come in plastic containers that dispense the solid paint. Some solid markers use a paper cover that is pealed off like a china marker exposing the solid ink.
Solid markers provide a long lasting mark that is UV resistant, they can be used on wet surfaces. Something not possible for most chalk markers. Typical use is in metal fabrication, automotive marking, construction, welding and shipping applications.
For more Chalk Marker Manufacturerinformation, please contact us. We will provide professional answers.