Unlike dry erase markers, not everyone knows the details of the paint marker. You won’t find them in office supply stores; you may have never even seen one!

To make it even more confusing, paint markers are sometimes called chalk markers or wet-erase markers and come in several different types. Our “Zig Markers” come in three varieties and up to seven different sizes; three different finish types and as many as 50 colors!

This application note will help explain the types of markers offered and what they can be used for, as well as the best marker for your mission.

Waterproof Paint Marker

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, they are semi-permanent and can be removed with Windex. The marks made are resistant to UV light, so they will not fade.

Typical Applications

• Store Window Signs
• A-Frame Signs
• Sidewalk Signs
• Police Markers (for parking violations or Marking a disabled car)
• Decorating Car Windows or the Car
• Arts and Crafts
• Marking Glass or Ceramics
• Home Decor
• Fast Pitch Signs
• Chalk Board Art
• White Board for semi-permanent application
• Skateboard Art Excellent on Grip Tape
• Helmets, Headphones, Computers and Footwear
• Canvas and Fine Art

The marker will not “lift” when you re-coat after drying. The same color or different colors can be used next to each other with no bleeding or streaking. Just let the paint dry for 1-2 minutes before adding the next color.

On paper, canvas, cloth or other porous surfaces, the paint marker leaves a nice matte finish; an opaque mark that is permanent and light-fast. Artist will find they can create giant size calligraphy with the larger markers.

Sizes Available

• Extra Fine 1/2mm
• Fine 1mm
• Medium Bullet 2mm
• Broad Chisel 6mm
• Big and Broad 15mm
• Cohas Modified 20mm
• Biggie 30 30mm In new “Plus Size” long barrels!
• Cohas Modified  30mm
• Cohas Modified 40mm
• Biggie 50 50mm

This type of marker only removes with Windex, Zig Posterman Cleaner 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.

The waterproof paint marker is 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.

Other Waterproof paint markers offered by Zig Posterman include Woodcraft and Acrylista, both of these are the same formulation as the Zig Posterman Waterproof but offer more colors.

 Wet-Wipe Paint Marker

Used on glass, plastic, blackboards, stone, whiteboards and any non-porous surface, these paint 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.

Typical Applications

• Store Signs
• POP displays
• Table, Counter or Bar Top displays
• Arts and Crafts when easy removal is required
• Child artwork on counters or glass
• Chalk Board Art
• White Board for easy to use, “erase when dry” applications
• Menu Boards
• Wedding and Function Message Boards
• Kitchen Menu Boards
• Family Calendar and Activity Board

Use as a Dry Erase Marker?

The most often used search on Cohas.com is “Wide Dry-Erase Marker”. The question is, can the wide Zig Posterman Wet-Wipe marker be used on a dry erase board?

In one word, yes!

The wet-wipe Zig Posterman (along with the Illumigraph) is the most like a dry erase marker. It is however very opaque, unlike a dry erase marker. The mark will be bold and strong on your boards, not transparent and thin.  Simply removed with water and a damp cloth or sponge.   It will not damage your whiteboard and always clean completely off your board.

Sizes Available

• Bullet Tip 2mm
• Broad Chisel 6mm
• Big and Broad 15mm
• Biggie 30 30mm (Black and White Only) Other Colors Factory discontinued January 2017

Looking for a wide marker to use on your IdeaPaint walls? The Wet-Wipe is a great option and can be cleaned with a damp cloth or sponge.  This will remove the marks even if your surface has slight defects in it.

The wet-wipe should not be used outdoors since it will come off in the rain.  It does take 1-2 minutes to dry, not as fast as a dry erase marker.  The Zig Posterman Wet-Wipe will come off cleaner than dry erase markers from dry erase boards. We have never seen staining on a white board that happens with poor quality dry erase markers.

 Zig Illumigraph Paint Marker

This is the same ink type as Wet-Wipe in how it functions.  The colors are very fluorescent, especially under black-light, lights at night or on a LED board. 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.

This paint marker will not damage your acrylic menu board surface and can be removed by rubbing with a soft cloth. Any stubborn marks, or if the item you are using it on has scratches or micro scratching, can be removed with a damp sponge or cloth.

Zig Illumigraph Markers work very well with Dry Erasers

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!

Typical Applications

• Blacklight Environments
• LED Flashing Boards
• Table, Counter or Bar Top displays on Black Backgrounds
• Chalk Board Art
• Blackboard Chalk Marker for Easy to Use, “Erase When Dry” Applications
• Menu Boards
• Wedding and Function Message Boards Super Bright on Dark Surfaces
• Nightclub, Hotel, Restaurant and Lounge Displays

Once dry, the marks are easy to change; perfect for price changes or changing the special of the day on your message board.

The 8 Zig Illumigraph Ultra Fluorescent Colors come in 6mm, 15mm, 30mm and 50mm. Shown in a 15mm Size

Sizes Available

• Bullet Tip 2mm
• Broad Chisel 6mm
• Big and Broad 15mm
• Biggie 30 30mm (White Only) Other Colors Factory discontinued January 2017
• Biggie 50 50mm (White Only) Other Colors Factory discontinued January 2017

The Zig Illumigraph Marker should not be used outdoors since it will come off in the rain. The marker is water based ink with a pigment; 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.

Dry Erase ~ Wet Erase Tip

The Zig Posterman Illumigraph works well on Dry Erase Boards and menu boards, then when dry is removed with a soft cloth or fiber eraser.  You should always let the “ink” dry 1-2 minutes before removing.  This will keep from smearing the marks that you have made on the board.  If the marks do not come off your board it may have a softer surface than most whiteboards, in this case a damp cloth will clean away the marks with no damage to the board.

While the markers do not have the typical “Expo Colors” try the red, orange and violet markers on your whiteboard.  The marks will turn to dust when you wipe them.

Marker Safety

Pigment based solution is water based, has no odor, no VOC’s and are non-toxic.  The markers conform to EU product safety regulations for children.

Zig Posterman and Zig Illumigraph markers carry the AP Seal, all markers conform to ASTM D4236. This means that the products bearing the AP Approved Product Seal of ACMI are certified in a program of toxicological evaluation by a medic expert to contain no materials in sufficient quantities to be toxic or injurious to humans or to cause acute or chronic health problems.  This program is reviewed by ACMI’s Toxicological Advisory Board. These products are certified by ACMI to be labeled in accordance with the chronic hazard labeling standard, ASTM D 4236 and federal law, P.L. 100-695.  In addition, there is no physical hazard as defined within the 29 CFR part 1910.1200 (c).

All markers have the CE mark and comply with the CE legislation. This means that the products bearing the CE mark meet the Toy Safety regulation, EN-71, in the European Community for Standardization.

The marker caps also comply with the UK Safety Standard BS7272.  This relates to the design practices of caps to reduce the risk of asphyxiation to children.

Like to learn more?

Read about the secret world of the chalk marker to see why paint markers have exploded into the world of Chalk Art!