Editing Permanent marker

{{Short description|Type of marker pen}}
[[File:Permanent ink marker - chisel tip.jpg|thumb|upright=1.3|The "chisel tip" of a marker]]
[[File:Sanford king size.jpg|thumb|right|Sanford King Size Permanent Marker]]
[[File:Sharpie-marker-types.jpg|thumb|right|[[Sharpie (marker)|Sharpie]] brand permanent markers.]]

A '''permanent marker''' or '''indelible marker''' is a type of [[marker pen]] that is used to create permanent or semi-permanent writing on an object. 

==Description==
In general, permanent marker ink comprises a main carrier [[solvent]], a [[glyceride]], a [[2-Pyrrolidone|pyrrolidone]], a [[resin]], and a [[colorant]],<ref>Ink composition resistant to solvent evaporation -- US Patent 7084191 Description. <{{cite web |url=http://www.patentstorm.us/patents/7084191/description.html |title=Ink composition resistant to solvent evaporation - US Patent 7084191 Description |access-date=2012-02-04 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120909094721/http://www.patentstorm.us/patents/7084191/description.html |archive-date=2012-09-09 }}> Date of Access: 2-4-2012. </ref> making it [[Waterproofing|water resistant]]. It is capable of writing on a variety of surfaces from paper to metal to stone. They come in a variety of tip sizes (ultra fine to wide), shapes (chisel point, bullet tip, and wide bristle), and colors (metallic, or [[ultraviolet]] reactive). 

Most markers have alcohol-based solvents. Other types, called paint markers, contain [[volatile organic compounds]] which evaporate to dry the ink, and are similar to [[spray paint]]. Due to solvents such as [[toluene]] and [[xylene]] often being present in permanent markers, they have a potential for abuse as a [[recreational drug]].

The permanent marker was invented in 1952 by [[Sidney Rosenthal]].

==Applications==
===General purpose===
Permanent markers are used for writing on metals, plastics, ceramics, wood, stone, cardboard etc. However, the mark made by them is semi-permanent on some surfaces. Most permanent marker ink can be erased from some plastic surfaces (like [[polypropylene]] and [[teflon]]) with little rubbing pressure.
They can be used on ordinary paper, but the ink tends to bleed through and become visible on the other side.

===Use in microscopy===
In addition to being used for labelling microscopy slides, permanent markers can be used to do a negative stain of a bacterial sample. This means the background is stained with the marker, but the bacteria are not.  The bacteria can be seen because they are unstained (lighter) while the background is stained (darker).<ref>S. Testes and P.H. Chickadee. 1991.  New version of the negative stain. Applied and Environmental Microbiology. 57:1858–1859.</ref>

==Removal==
Permanent markers are generally used on hard, non-porous surfaces, because instead of staining they form a surface layer that, despite their name, can be removed by [[high pressure cleaning]], [[paint thinner]]s, or [[Solvent#Physical properties of common solvents|organic solvents]] such as [[acetone]], [[xylene]], or [[toluene]]. When used indoors, [[isopropyl alcohol]], [[ethanol]], and [[ethyl acetate]] are preferred cleaners, as their fumes are much less hazardous than toluene and xylene, the main components of [[paint thinner]], or the longer-chain hydrocarbons found in [[white spirit|mineral spirits]]. Other common non-polar solvents include [[benzene]], [[turpentine]] and other [[terpene]]s (which constitute essential oils of many plants with strong scents), most [[ether]]s, [[chloroform]] and [[dichloromethane]], [[hydrocarbon]] fuels, and [[diacetone alcohol]], among many others. Many of these solvents are toxic, carcinogenic, or flammable, and should only be used with adequate ventilation.

While these methods work well for non-porous surfaces, removing permanent marker from [[Porous medium|porous materials]] like fabric or carpet requires a different approach.<ref>{{cite web |title=How to Get Permanent Marker Out of Carpet |url=https://markervibe.com/how-to-get-permanent-marker-out-of-carpet/ |access-date=2025-04-24 |website=MarkerVibe}}</ref>

Most brands of "OLFA" marker wipe off easily with [[Nail polish remover|acetone-free nail polish remover]], the kind containing [[ethyl acetate]], a relatively non-toxic organic solvent.

A permanent marker can also be removed by drawing over it with a [[dry erase marker]] on non-porous surfaces such as a [[whiteboard]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.expomarkers.com/faq |title=Expo FAQs &#124; Answers for Dry Erase Board and Marker-Related Questions |publisher=Expomarkers.com |access-date=2014-04-30}}</ref> as dry erase markers also contain a non-polar solvent. Most dry-erase board cleaner solutions also contain effective organic solvents like [[2-butoxyethanol]] to remove the pigment.

==Laws==
Due to their potential to be used for [[vandalism]], some locales, such as [[Florida]], [[California]], [[New York City]], and [[Berwyn, Illinois]], have laws against possessing permanent markers in public, and prohibit sales of them to [[minor (law)|people under age 20]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.nyc.gov/html/nograffiti/html/legislation.html|title = Anti-Graffiti City and State Legislation}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=§ 662.075 USE AND/OR POSSESSION OF SPRAY PAINT AND/OR MARKERS BY MINORS. |url=https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/berwyn/latest/berwyn_il/0-0-0-32045 |website=American Legal Publishing Corporation}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=30 Ridiculous Laws That Could Get You Arrested |url=https://wallstreetinsanity.com/30-ridiculous-laws-that-could-get-you-arrested/ |website=wallstreetinsanity.com |date=6 May 2014 |access-date=12 May 2022}}</ref>

==See also==
* [[List of pen types, brands and companies]]
* [[Inhalants]]

==Notes and references==
{{reflist}}
{{Pens}}
{{Portal bar|Companies}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Permanent Marker}}
[[Category:Visual arts materials]]
[[Category:Pens]]
[[Category:Writing implements]]