Marker facts for kids
A marker pen is a special kind of pen. It has its own ink supply inside. The tip, which is called a nib, is usually made from soft, pressed fibers like felt.
You might know marker pens by other names. Some people call them felt-tip pens, fine liners, or just markers. In different countries, they have unique names like "vivid" in New Zealand or "texta" in Australia.
A marker pen has a few main parts. There's an outer container, often made of plastic. Inside, there's a spongy material that holds the ink. The tip lets the ink flow out, and a cap keeps the marker from drying up.
Long ago, some marker inks used strong-smelling chemicals like toluene. Today, most marker inks are made with alcohols. This makes them much safer and less smelly. Markers can be waterproof, or designed to be easily erased from certain surfaces.
Contents
The History of Marker Pens
Have you ever wondered who invented the marker pen? The idea for a felt-tipped pen goes way back!
Lee Newman got a patent for a felt-tipped marking pen in 1910. Later, in 1926, Benjamin Paskach created something he called a "fountain paintbrush." It had a sponge tip and held different paint colors.
Markers became more popular in 1953 with the "Magic Marker." This marker had a glass tube filled with ink and a felt wick. By 1958, people were using felt-tipped markers for many things. They used them for writing, labeling, and making posters.
The modern fiber-tipped pen came out in 1962. It was developed by Yukio Horie from the Tokyo Stationery Company. This company later became Pentel. In 1987, Copic Sketch markers were released. These markers became very popular for professional artists and illustrators.
What Are Marker Pens Made Of?
Marker pens have a few key parts that work together to help you draw and write.
The part that holds the ink is called the reservoir. It's usually made from a material called polyester. The "felt" tip, which is what you draw with, is often made from strong, pressed synthetic fibers. Sometimes, it's even made from porous ceramics.
The ink itself is a mix of things. It has a dye that gives it color. It also has solvents, which help the dye flow smoothly. Some older permanent markers used chemicals like toluene for the ink. But now, many markers use safer substances. The ink can also have a little bit of water, up to 10%. Other special ingredients are added to help the ink work well and last longer.
Different Types of Marker Pens
There are many kinds of marker pens, each designed for a different job.
Permanent Marker Pens
Permanent marker Permanent markers are great for writing on almost any surface. They can write on glass, plastic, wood, metal, and even stone. The ink on most surfaces won't rub off easily and can last for many years.
However, on some smooth plastics, the marks might not be truly permanent. You can often remove them with strong scrubbing or special chemicals like acetone.
Highlighter Pens
Highlighters are a special type of marker. They are used to make important text stand out. Highlighters use bright, see-through, neon colors. This lets you highlight words without covering them up. They are perfect for studying and organizing notes.
Whiteboard Markers
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A whiteboard marker is also called a dry-erase marker. It uses ink that you can easily wipe off. These markers are made for smooth, non-porous surfaces. You can use them on whiteboards, glass, or for overhead projectors.
You can erase the marks with a dry cloth, tissue, or even your hand. Unlike some permanent markers, whiteboard markers do not contain harsh chemicals.
There are also wet-erase markers. These are similar but need a damp cloth to wipe them clean. They are often used on signboards or overhead projectors.
Security Marker Pens
Security markers have a special ink that you can't see with your eyes. This ink is fluorescent. People use these markers to mark their valuable items. If a marked item is stolen and then found, police can use ultraviolet light to see the hidden writing. This helps them return the item to its owner.
Election Marker Pens
Election markers are used in some countries during elections. They have a special, long-lasting ink. This ink is used to mark a voter's finger, especially near the nail. The mark stays visible for a week or two. This helps prevent people from voting more than once. These markers can also be used to help with vaccinations.
Porous Point Pens
A porous point pen has a tip made from a porous material. This could be felt or even ceramic. Pens used for technical drawing often have ceramic tips. Ceramic tips are very durable and keep their shape well, even with pressure.
How Marker Names Change Around the World
The names for "marker" or "felt-tipped pen" can be very different depending on where you are. This is because many places use common brand names as the general word for a marker.
Asia
In parts of India, water-based felt-tip pens are called "sketch pens." They are mostly used for drawing on paper. Permanent markers are just called "markers." In Malaysia and Singapore, they are also simply called markers.
In the Philippines, a marker is often called a "Pentel pen," no matter what brand it is. In Indonesia, it's called "Spidol." In South Korea and Japan, they might be called "sign pens" or "felt pens." Permanent markers are sometimes called "Magic" after a famous brand.
Australia
In Australia, "marker" usually means a large-tip marker. "Felt-tip" or "felt pen" usually means a fine-tip marker. Markers in Australia are often called "texta," which is a brand name. In some areas, like Queensland, the brand name "nikko" is also used.
New Zealand
In New Zealand, fine-tipped markers are often called "felt pen" or "felts." Large permanent markers are called "vivids." This name comes from a popular brand called Bic Stephens Vivid.
South Africa
In South Africa, people often use the word "Koki" for both felt pens and markers. They also use the standard word "marker."
Canada and United States
In the United States, people use "marker" or "magic marker." "Magic marker" is a brand name that became a common word. "Sharpie" is another brand name that is now often used to mean any permanent marker. In some parts of Canada, markers are also called felt-pens or felts.
See also
- Highlighter
- List of pen types, brands and companies
- Paint marker
- Sharpie
