The answer actually presents an interesting exploration into the chemistry behind whiteboard markers and how they were developed, and it even opens up super creative uses for quality whiteboard markers.
Let’s explore this topic in a little more detail.
Key Takeaways
Marker ink is made of four ingredients that give the marker its colour, bind the colour into a film, prevent ink from adhering to whiteboards, and keep the ink in liquid form while inside the marker.
The “magic” ingredient is called release agents, and without high-quality release agents, marker ink adheres to boards and causes smudging.
High-quality release agents allow ink to wipe away effortlessly and cleanly, leaving no mess. They also allow ink to float on water, leading to fun experiments with the kids.
Xylene is a toxic solvent that is best avoided in whiteboard markers - look for “Xylene-free” markers to avoid harmful side effects.
The Science Behind Whiteboard Ink
Have you ever wondered how whiteboard marker ink is made and what makes it so special? It contains four ingredients blended together that create the easy-erase effect we’ve all come to expect.
Pigments: Provide the colour in your whiteboard marker and can be mixed and matched to create almost any colour imaginable.
Resins: Connect the pigments together to form a film, creating the line that we draw when using a whiteboard marker.
Release agents: Create a film between the board and the pigments and resins, allowing the ink to sit on the whiteboard without making direct contact and causing stains.
Solvents: The final ingredient combines all the others into the liquid we know as ink. This allows the pigments, resin and release agents to flow smoothly when writing.
As you write, the solvents evaporate, allowing the ink to solidify into the writing on the board. The release agent “slides” in between the solvent ink and the board, preventing the pigments from fully bonding with the board.
This process allows the ink to show up cleanly on the whiteboard, but also to be wiped away with an eraser with ease. This is how whiteboard markers work, in theory. But what about when something goes wrong — when whiteboard ink doesn’t wipe away with ease?
Why Some Markers Leave Ghosting
The secret to a high-quality, easily erasable whiteboard marker is in the release agents. Some whiteboard markers, especially cheaply made ones, often have weaker release agents. This gives the pigment and resin combo time to bond to the whiteboard, causing stains and smudges.
The quality of the whiteboard also plays a role, as a smoother whiteboard offers better protection against smudging. An even slightly porous surface will greatly lower the effectiveness of the release agents and allow the ink to bond with the surface.
Common culprits of ghosting on whiteboards include using permanent markers by mistake, leftover residue from clearing sprays or dirty erasers, and low-quality whiteboards with micro-scratches that can trap pigments and stain the board.
To prevent ghosting, use high-quality markers with strong release agents, such as those we produce at PILOT. A high-quality whiteboard eraser will also help, as will cleaning the board regularly with the proper solutions.
It’s best to buy high-quality whiteboard cleaner or create your own mix of isopropyl alcohol and water, then wipe the board with a clean, lint-free cloth to remove any residue.
Finally, whiteboard markers are designed to offer a smooth, effortless writing experience, and applying excess pressure when writing can also lead to smudging. Allow your hand to float over the board, and you’ll have an easier time erasing.
Now that we know how whiteboard markers work, we can use that knowledge to have some fun.
The Floating Ink Experiment: How Whiteboard Markers Defy Gravity
High-quality release agents don’t just allow us to wipe boards clean; they also allow us to perform other feats of “magic.” Ever heard of floating letters?
With the right tools, you can conduct a fun experiment in which your letters or drawings float on water, creating a magical effect that kids love and adults marvel at. Here’s how to conduct this experiment at home.
The following materials will help:
A smooth surface. Plastic, glass, or the shiny side of foil work quite well.
A whiteboard marker, the higher the quality, the better. A whiteboard marker pack with different colours can make the experiment even more fun.
A shallow dish of water. This can be anything — we’ve even used an oven pan for this experiment before; however, glass or plastic works best.
Write or draw whatever you wish on your smooth surface. Smaller images separate better, so it’s a great idea to focus on smaller drawings at first — about two to three centimetres across.
Slowly submerge your foil or glass pane into the water at a slight angle. When done correctly, the drawing should separate from the surface and float on top of the water. Magic.
Kids, especially, love this experiment, so consider setting a date and including them in your foray into marker science.
Why does this happen?
Since the pigment is held together by resin, and the release agents weaken the bond with the surface, water can break this bond. The ink doesn’t dissolve into the water like normal ink because of this resin bond. So the drawings maintain their shape on top of the water.
To help get you started, here are some fun, creative ideas.
Fun Ways to Play with Floating Ink
To get started, draw simple shapes, such as hearts or stars and watch them float. After this initial success, consider moving on to creating animations. You can draw sea creatures and watch them “swim” in the water by creating ripples.
You could even animate shapes by carefully pouring water over the drawings. As you become more comfortable with the process, you can even try to create bigger drawings, until you find the “limit” of the size of drawing you can do.
It’s great fun for the kids and, to be honest, for adults too.
Choosing the Right Whiteboard Markers for You
There are a few key points to consider when choosing the best whiteboard marker that fits your needs. The first consideration is whether they use Xylene, which is a common solvent used in markers.
This solvent, when breathed in (even in small amounts), can cause headaches, dizziness, drowsiness, and nausea. Our markers are Xylene-free for this reason.
When choosing markers, double-check whether they contain Xylene.
Chisel Tip vs. Bullet Tip
When choosing a tip for your whiteboard markers, you’ll often be faced with a choice between a bullet and a chisel tip. Both have their uses.
Bullet tip markers are best for everyday home or office use and offer a practical and reliable writing implement. Chisel tip markers offer more for the creative soul, allowing varying line thickness, which is perfect for sketching or even calligraphy.
Naturally, chisel tip markers are great for the floating ink experiment above, allowing you to add more to your sketches or letters. But for everyday use, you can’t go wrong with a bullet tip.
Refillable vs. Disposable
On average, disposable markers are cheaper to buy at first. However, refillable options, such as the PILOT V Board Master whiteboard markers, offer a more cost-effective option over time.
V Board markers are filled with pure liquid ink, which ensures excellent visibility, even from a distance and vivid, consistent colour, right to the very last drop. This makes them an ideal choice for classrooms, offices, and meeting spaces where performance and sustainability matter.
Consider Environmental Impact
Mass manufacturing can take a toll on the environment, and the whiteboard marker industry is no different. That’s why we use recycled materials to produce our range of whiteboard markers, minimising our carbon footprint and doing our bit to help the environment.
Before making your final choice, consider the environment and opt for manufacturers who recycle and do their part to help combat excessive waste.
The Science of Erasable Ink is More Than Meets the Eye
Now you know the secrets behind the “magic” of whiteboard markers and why some whiteboard markers are prone to ghosting or smudging. Armed with these facts, you’re perfectly positioned to make the right choices when selecting whiteboard markers in future.
We also explored the fun floating drawings experiment, which is great fun for both kids and adults. So, why not get started with your own floating drawings? Browse our range of whiteboard markers available in a range of colours and tip sizes and find a perfect fit for you.
I bet the kids can’t wait to conduct those floating ink experiments!
About Author
Stephanie Janolo
At Pilot Pen Australia, she bridges the gap between digital and timeless writing instruments. Beyond the realm of pixels and algorithms, her inspiration strikes in the form of art, museums and lyrical narratives of Taylor Swift.
