Removable Marking: Ink vs. Liquid Paint
Hi, thanks for dropping in! We share advice, tips, technical information and stories about industrial marking and its uses in the various industries that build global infrastructure and the world's greatest engineering marvels.
As the leader of the industrial marking category since 1934, we're proud to support the hardworking contractors, tradespeople, and workers who build and maintain the world around us. Subscribe to our email list and join the #TheMarkOfWork community. ??
Do you believe all removable markers are the same? It may surprise you to find out?that they're not. Removable markers are versatile and different from other types of markers in both composition and usage.?Learn more about the differences between ink versus paint when it comes to the removable marker and what type could be the right choice for your application.?
Types of Markers
There are three types of markers to choose from in industrial marking:?solid paint markers (crayons),?ink-based markers?and?liquid paint markers. Each type has advantages and disadvantages that can make one marker more ideal for a specific application over another. Solid paint markers are the longest lasting and most durable which make them harder to remove than temporary inks or paints. Inks have the fastest dry time, yet the fewest colors. Liquid paints have the most vibrant and broadest amount of colors, but have longer dry times than inks, and are the most expensive of the three types. This article focuses on the differences of ink versus paint markers. Further details about the differences between the three types are discussed more in-depth in our article “Quality Doesn’t Have to Leave a Mark”.?
Considerations for Selecting Temporary Markers
Surfaces type and surface quality are primary considerations when choosing a temporary industrial marker. Whether it’s ink or paint temporary markers, surface types for temporary markers are typically made of solid, non-porous metal, iron, steel, aluminum, glass, ceramics or plastic. Non-porous materials ensure that the inks or paints don’t absorb into the surface so no residual marks, commonly referred to as ghosting, are left after removal. Porous surfaces absorb inks, dyes and paints, effectively trapping them inside the material where removal is more difficult and ghosting occurs. Not every temporary marker will mark well on all of these surfaces so noting manufacturer recommendations for surface marking and characteristics of the marker is important.
Surface quality should be made of clean, dry material.??In most cases, surface quality should also be un-painted and un-treated, however some temporary markers are made to accommodate these qualities as well.
领英推荐
Other factors that should be included in consideration are:?
Test marks should always be performed before heavy use to ensure end results are as intended.?
Where Temporary Marking is Used
Usage of temporary marking lies mainly in the automotive market (manufacturing, work-in-process identification, part re-work items, inspection and witness marks, coding, quality-control, inventory, finishing) and after-market (dealers, auctions, rentals, repair shops, junk yards) followed by construction, fabrication, shops and even - although not categorized as industrial - restaurants. Have you ever snapped a photo of hand-drawn window art or advertising??