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Technical Details, Zig Posterman 15mm Tip Details

You have never seen a Zig Posterman Big and Bold 15mm tip marker?  You have missed out on the power and grace of placing a big, bold mark on any smooth surface that has smaller dry erase markers hiding out on the tray!  We will zoom in and take a close look at the Zig Posterman 15mm tip details.  The marker is not simply 15mm it can make lines of three different widths and is ready to fill in the larger spaces.

Cohas engineering systems reviews the Zig Posterman 15mm Big and Bold Waterproof marker tip.  If you have, or are interested in a Wet-Wipe or Zig Illumigraph marker, the tips will be the same.  The difference is that those markers come off with a damp cloth, while the Waterproof marker needs Windex, Whiteboard or Zig Posterman cleaner.

Looking at the side of a Zig Posterman 15mm Tip Details with a loaded red tip

The face is a full 15mm wide, just a bit over 5/8 of an inch and is flat.

First, lets look at the face of the marker. Used to make big bold lines, the surface is what you will use most often; after all, a wide marker is what you were looking for.  The tip is made of a hard dense fiber that will hold it’s shape even on rough surfaces.  Some of our customers use their marker to create designs on grip tape for artistic skateboards.

The ink, actually a pigment based paint, fills the tip when the valve is pressed down.  Our training video on how to “Load Your Zig” provides details on this process.

Looking at the edge of a Zig Posterman 15mm Tip Details with a loaded red tip

The side is about 9mm wide, just a bit under 3/8 of an inch and is slightly rounded.

The side of the marker has a bit of a rounded or beveled profile as seen in this image.  It can be used to create thinner lines of about 9mm in width if used full on the side, or 2-5mm in width if used on the corner. How hard you press the marker will control how large your line gets when you use the corner of the 15mm Big and Bold.

If you need wider lines, Zig Posterman also come in 30mm and 50mm widths.  In 2016 the factory discontinued many of the colors available in the 30mm width marker.  Cohas Chalkboard Systems added 20, 30 and 40 mm width markers in all the available colors as a custom product.  This is modified right here in America for any project you may have.

Tip from the lab: If you need a special width or shape for some reason, cut the fiber tip with a razor knife, utility blade or Exacto knife.  Zig Posterman 15mm tip details; It is less messy if you do this before you load the tip!  Did you know, you can create a schroll brush by cutting a grove in the tip.  This will lay down two lines when your draw.

Quick review of Zig Posterman ink types

  • The ink is pigmented paint in all markers.
  • Waterproof used on any non-porous surface will not come off with rubbing or water; you must use Windex or a cleaner with a high alkaline content.
  • Wet-Wipe used on any smooth surface will not come off with rubbing unless you rub very hard.
  • Wet-Wipe will only come off with a damp cloth or with water.  Indoor use is recommended.
  • Zig Illumigraph markers are Wet-Wipe markers in extremely bright colors for application on dark surfaces.
  • Like Wet-Wipe, they only come off with a damp cloth and are recommended for indoor use.
  • Waterproof Florescent colors give the look of Zig Illumigraph but they are semi-permanent.
  • All markers are odor free and have no VOC’s (Volatile Organic Compounds) and conform to ASTM D4236.
  • All markers are permanent on porous surfaces. Use your Zig Posterman Markers with care!

If you need help with your applications please use our contact page to work with our lab technicians on testing your specific needs.

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How to Care for and Store a Zig Paint Marker

Paint markers are a bit different from the magic marker, dry erase marker or sharpie marker you may be used to.  The advantages are priceless but they need a little preparation and care to last a long time.  Follow these simple instructions for your waterproof or wet-wipe Zig Paint Marker.

Zig Posterman paint markers are made with a safe solution of water and pigment.  Pigment is a ground up powder that delivers the color to your wall, artwork, window, sign or board.  This powder is what makes the paint long lasting in the sun.  The pigment is UV resistant and will last for months or more outside.  The waterproof version will even last through rain, sleet and snow!  Learn more about pigment in our story on “The Secret world of the Chalk Marker” here on Cohas Chalkboard systems and Marker DIY section.

Shake your Zig Paint Marker

The first thing you will notice if you are preparing your paint marker for use is it will make a sound like a paint can.  This is because it has a small ball inside the marker.  It is important to shake up the marker for two to three minutes before you use it the first time.  Leave the cap on and shake to agitate the ball in the marker.   Do not prime your marker before you shake it up.  If you do the solution will be to thin and run down onto and off the nib.  This will cause the marker to appear to “leak” since the thin fluid will run from the nib into the cap.

Instructions for Priming a Zig Posterman MarkerWhat if I forgot to shake the marker?

If you did not shake it the first time, or did not shake before you used your marker you may need to clear the tip of the thin paint fluid.  First do not pump the marker, use the nib, all sides, to draw on paper or plastic.  Try to get as much thin fluid off the tip as you can.

Blot the tip with a paper towel so it is dry.

Now cap the marker press firmly on the cap till it snaps on. Shake the marker for three minutes, just like a paint can.  Shake in different directions and roll it around as you shake.  You will hear the paint ball moving inside of the marker.  If you need to rinse the cap out to clean it do so with water for wet-wipe or Windex for Waterproof.

Now prime the tip by pressing it down and watching for ink flow.  Once the ink is flowing on your scrap paper or plastic do some doodles or practice a little.  The ink in your tip may still be to thin.  Move to a new scrap paper or plastic and try a design, if it looks good?  Let’s get creative!

Prime your Zig Paint Marker

Now prime the marker after shaking for two to three minutes to do this press down on the tip until you see the ink begin to flow.  Our video How to Fill and Prime a Zig Paint Marker can show you what it will look like when you are priming it.  The video is of a Zig Posterman Waterproof marker, so the cleaning information relates to that type of marker. For the Zig Posterman Wet-Wipe and Zig Illumigraph use water, a damp cloth for cleanup.

When you draw apply the pressure you need to create your design.  You do not want to heavy a hand as it will wear the nib and cause more paint to flow to the tip.  When you need more paint just press down for a moment.

Storing your Zig Paint Marker

While not required and optional you may want to blot the tip dry with a paper towel before storing your marker. Depending on how much the marker was “loaded” while working on your project or art, cleaning is a good idea before storage. Do not use water or another fluid, just a dry clean paper towel blot the tip without pressing down the valve.

Time to put Zig to bed!  When you are done with your marker cap it tight be sure the cap snaps on tightly.  The 1mm, 2mm, 6mm and 15 mm markers have a two stage locking cap, be sure you press it all the way on.  The Biggie markers have a foam seal around the edge of the cap.  Make sure the cap is tight and engaged in the locking tabs on the side of the marker for the 30-50mm Zig Paint Marker.

Now time for a very important step.  Zig Posterman and Zig Illumigraph markers must be stored on their side.  Do not put them upright tip up or tip down into a cup or holder.  Most orders ship in a very sturdy box intended for storage when not in use.  Inside you will likely find our little friend Zig, sleeping with his tight cap laying flat on his bed and dreaming of playing with dog max.

If you have any questions on paint markers how to use and store them please use our contact page.  We would be happy to help, even if your order was not from us.

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The Science and Application of Paint Markers

Available in nine sizes, these semi-permanent Markers will mark any non-porous surface and will not come off in the rain or when washed. They only come off with a glass cleaner.  Zig Posterman waterproof markers are not like a standard wet erase marker that comes off with water or a damp cloth.  The application of paint markers that are waterproof can be removed with any cleaner that has a pH of 10 or higher.

Application of Paint Markers on 8 x 10 Frame Bagel Shop Display

Just one of our many Cohas Chalkboard System Frames. In stock available from 5 x 7 to 24 x 36 inches. Click image to view selection.

The ammonia in glass cleaner has that high pH thus required for removal, until you use that type of cleaner your design will not rub or wash off.

Types of products they will mark on include;

  • Glass
  • Plastic
  • Metal
  • Stone
  • Acrylic
  • Coroplast
  • Ceramic
  • Mirrors
  • Blackboard
  • Whiteboard

The large ones are used by law enforcement and the auto industry to mark car windows. Also called Wet-Wipe markers by some, they are similar to Dry Erase Markers but can not be removed once dry by wiping. Used on signs in stores on boards windows these markers allow a restaurant or store to show different messages when required. They are great tools to test out marketing ideas.

Zig Posterman also available as Wet-Wipe markers, be sure you select the right type. Wet-Wipe markers can be removed with a damp cloth or sponge.   To learn more visit these information pages.

Waterproof Markers

Wet-Wipe Markers

Zig Illumigraph Markers

Application of Paint Markers, Windex shown with four sizes of Paint Markers available at Cohas.com

How Application of Paint Markers work

The waterproof markers use a quick drying liquid paste similar to a pigment based paint. It can not be removed with a whiteboard eraser. The key component for removal is an ammonia based product. We have found with some of our customers can not remove the image from the boards after they mark them. In all cases it has been that the glass cleaner they were using was “green” or organic based cleaner good for the environment. In those situations, using a Windex type product with ammonia removed the marker, even after attempting to use the wrong cleaning product.

The contents in the fluid are a water base with resin and titanium dioxide (color pigment) the paste is less likely to cause allergic reaction than dry-erase markers with alcohol or chalk dust.

Dry erase markers use an alcohol base that can be removed with a paper towel, rubbing or with a whiteboard eraser. Good for indoor use they are not recommended for outdoor use, like Zig Posterman waterproof markers are.

Application Extra!

Zig Posterman Waterproof  Markers can be used on a dry erase board, they make a semi permanent image that can be drawn over with dry erase markers. When removing the dry erase with an eraser, the Wet Erase image stays on the board until removed with an ammonia based cleaner.

Applications include charts and graphs with text that is changed on a more regular basis.  Another use is the management of manufacturing processes.  By using Zig Posterman markers the data stays on the board until the operator wants it removed!

Dry Erase cleaning fluid is compatible with Zig Posterman markers it will remove all dry erase marks and Zig Posterman marks and any residue left.  Your white board will look like new after you clean it.  Please note, some dry erase markers may be harder to clean than the Zig Posterman paint marker from a white board surface.

Looking for a marker you can wipe off with a dry eraser or a soft cloth from your whiteboard or blackboard?  Try our Zig Posterman Wet-Wipe markers, when dry they will come off any quality board that has a smooth surface just like dry erase markers!

Application of Paint Markers on Chalkboard Painted Surfaces

We do not recommend that Zig Posterman or any pigmented paint marker be used on a a surface painted with chalkboard paint.   These surfaces and the surface painted on tend to be porous this will leave a ghost or permanent mark.

Some customers have been successful using the markers on chalkboard paint.  The subsurface on those items tend to be non porous like metal, plastic, steel, Masonite or glass.  You should test the surface in a inconspicuous area before extensive use.

A better option for the application of paint markers is our Chalkflex chalkboard product available in framed, unframed, as sheets or on a roll for your project.  This stiff but easy to install flexible plastic chalkboard will not stain under normal use.

Colors Available

Application of Paint Markers More colors than any other store on the planetBe sure to visit our Liquid Chalk Page to view all the colors available.  Depending on the factory we between 45 and 50 colors available for same day shipment.  They are manufactured in different finishes;

  • Standard matte Finish
  • Fluorescent
  • Metallic

Darker colors are recommended for light-colored items like white plastic. Lighter color markers are typically used on dark plastic or glass or blackboards. Sold in Kits or they can be ordered individually.

A rainbow of colors all providing an opaque (solid) color mark on your substrate are available at Cohas.com shop by image, select your color in our store.

Regular Size markers have a 1/4 inch chisel tip that can be used as a fine point marker or to draw a line. Big and Broad Markers have a big 5/8 inch wide tip for bold letters. Looking for a way to quickly fill up large areas, use the Biggie Markers in 1 1/4 or 2 inch.

Size Chart Metric Marker Conversions

  • 1/32 inch, 1/2mm
  • 1/16 inch, 1mm
  • 1/8 inch, 2mm
  • 1/4 inch 6mm
  • 5/8 inch, 15mm
  • 3/4 inch, 20mm
  • 1 1/4 inch 30mm
  • 1 5/8 inch 40mm
  • 2 inch 50mm
Size comparison is approximate.
Windex is a trademark of S. C. Johnson & Son, Inc.
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