A heat tool can be very handy to have in the crafting world. Not only can it help to speed up the general drying time of some inks and glues, but it can also be used to make neat effects with special markers such as these:
* Zig Embossing Markers *
Zig’s Embossing Markers are double-ended, giving you 2 tips in 1 pen!
They come in 3 different styles:
*Zig Emboss Calligraphy (2mm flat chisel tip & 3.5mm flat chisel tip)*
Great for calligraphy lettering & straight edge designs!
*Zig Emboss Writer: (.5mm extra fine tip & 1.2mm bullet tip)*
Great for standard lettering & fine tip designs!
*Zig Emboss Scroll & Brush: (split-tip scroll & flexible rubber brush)*
Great for brush lettering & other special designs!
Embossing markers use a special ink that has a slightly “tacky” texture and acts as an adhesive for embossing powders (which come in all colors- even metallics, glitter, etc.)
Just write or draw something with your embossing marker and quickly apply some embossing powder on the paper over the top of your marks. The powder will stick to the ink, and you can easily tap off the excess.
Then use the heat tool over the powdered marks. The embossing powder will stay stuck to the ink and begin to melt in place. You are left with a smooth, slightly raised (embossed) image!
SEE IT STEP BY STEP:
STEP 1: Use the embossing marker freehand or with a stencil to make a clear mark on your paper.
STEP 2: Sprinkle embossing powder over the ink (as soon as possible, to avoid the ink from drying out). Don’t be afraid to use plenty, to cover the entire mark.
STEP 3: Lean your paper and let the excess powder slide off onto a second sheet of paper. (Make a funnel with that paper and let the powder slide back into your jar for use next time!) Use a few gentle taps, then clean off any remaining extra powder with a dry brush. You only want powder on the ink marks- any extra will still melt where it is and leave a spot.
STEP 4: Turn on the heat tool and let it run for a few seconds to heat up. Then aim it right at your powdered marks and watch the powder begin to melt! (Make sure it’s not TOO close, to avoid burning the powder/paper.) The melted powder fuses to the paper with a slightly raised effect!
STEP 5: Admire your newly embossed works of art! Use this technique to add a special touch to handmade cards and more! Try embossing on light and dark papers, or over a watercolor background!
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* Marvy Puffy Velvet & Snow Markers *
Add some texture to your paper and fabric crafts!
When used alone, the Puffy Velvet & Snow markers act like regular paint markers. Try heating up their marks with a heat tool! You’ll end up with exactly what the name suggests- a puffed up, velvety texture.
You can get 2 types of effects from these markers. If you use the heat tool right away, on very wet marks, you’ll get a bigger, bubbly texture. If you wait for the marks to be completely dry, you can get a softer, more even look.
No matter which type of effect you prefer, they each add a fun dimensional look to any craft project!
And they come in a variety of 24 different colors, including bright fluorescents!
Puffy Velvet markers are water-based and safe for kids to use! Just make sure an adult handles the heat tool part. (Heat tools can blow air that is over 600 degrees!!)
One of our favorite uses for the bubblier 3D effect as a kids craft- cartoon monster skin!
Another fun use of the Puffy Velvet markers to explore is stamping! The ink puffs up enough to create a raised image that can be used with other markers or ink pads and act as a custom-designed stamp!
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* Heat Tool VS. Hair Dryer *
A quick note about using a hair dryer as a heat tool, since we see people often wondering about this.
While they seem similar, it’s generally not recommended to use a hair dryer in place of a heat tool.
The main reasons: Heat tools slowly release VERY hot heat in a concentrated area. Hair dryers use cooler air, and it blows much faster into a bigger space.
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Happy crafting, everyone!
All of this recent buzz about coloring BOOKS has left us also wanting to color on something other than paper.. so we at Marker Supply have been experimenting with a type of project called “image transferring”. Take a look at this super easy way to put any coloring page image onto a wooden surface!
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What you’ll need:
*A piece of “raw” wood without a finish on it (no paint, glaze, etc.)*
*A one-sided page from a coloring book (Note: Everything in your original image will be flipped on the wood piece. Keep this in mind- as letters and numbers will appear backwards!)*
*Zig Decoupage Glue Marker (Find it HERE at Marker Supply!)*
*Spray Bottle & Water*
*and a few hours of patience, as your piece will take a while to dry before the fun part can happen. 🙂 *
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The Prep Work:
Step 1:
Trim your image down to fit how you want it over the wooden object. Using your Zig Decoupage Glue Marker, apply an even, thick layer of glue that covers the wooden surface, as well as the paper image (the side WITH the marks on it).
Step 2:
Place your image face down over the wooden piece. Press all over- the middle, the edges, everywhere- to completely stick each piece together. If any spot seems totally dry, you can lightly press the glue marker over the top of the paper and let some saturate through to that area.
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The Hard Part:
Step 3:
You wait for it to COMPLETELY dry.
This will take several hours, it’s usually a great idea to just let it sit overnight.
Yes, we know. This part is not fun. But be patient! 🙂
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The Reveal:
See, you did it. Good job waiting for your piece to be good ‘n dry!
And now even though it may seem silly, we are just going to get it wet again..
Step 4:
Take a spray bottle and lightly coat the paper with a bit of water.
Step 5:
Gently rub the wet paper. Bits of it will start peeling off of the wooden surface, however you’ll see that your image will still be left on the wood!
Step 5.5:
This process can take a few rounds. You can apply a little more water whenever needed to help the paper keep rubbing off. Just don’t rub too rough, the image may start to come off.
And then.. there you have it! You’ve just made a coloring page on a wooden surface!
Once it’s dry, grab those markers and get coloring! Or, give that one to someone as a gift and make some more!
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We’ve had a lot of fun with this super easy and awesome craft.
Stay tuned for another blog about more image transfer ideas coming soon!
Have you tried paper-to-wood transfers? Let us know how it turned out:
Post on our Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram pages!
@MarkerSupply #MarkerSupply
(**The image we used for this Blog is from the Creative Haven coloring book “Fanciful Faces”.**)
The new craze of coloring books has people searching for the best tools to bring color and life to their pages. There are so many kinds to choose from! Marker Supply is focusing several blogs on markers and more that are perfect for use in coloring!
See Part 1: Zig Double-Ended Markers
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Part 3: Alcohol-Based Markers
One of the most common tools we’ve seen that people like to use in their coloring books are markers with alcohol-based ink. This type of ink usually has bold color properties and flows onto paper “as smooth as butter”. These markers may also have unique properties such as being refillable, having interchangeable nibs, and more.
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A word of warning about markers with alcohol ink–
This ink is usually very strong and can easily bleed through paper!
Make sure you use single-sided coloring pages (with some kind of backboard underneath to catch any ink that soaks through) and/or use paper that is thick enough to handle alcohol inks!
The contents of this type of ink are also usually not kid-friendly, so be sure to use them age-appropriately.
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PRISMACOLOR BRUSH & FINE
A great coloring marker with tips that are perfect for coloring books that feature small spaces, the Prismacolor Premier Brush & Fine is a double-ended marker with a fine tip opposite a flexible, rubber brush tip. (You can also find the same marker with Chisel & Fine tips). The silky smooth ink flow leaves your pages with nice, even color. Available in 195 colors and multicolor sets of all sizes!
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ZIG KURECOLOR
Our equivalent to the Copic markers, the Zig Kurecolor markers have all the same features you love- they are double-ended, refillable, have a variety of tips to choose from, and are available in OVER 100 colors!! Often used by graphic artists and other professionals, Kurecolors contain high-quality permanent inks. Choose from the Kurecolor Twin– with a larger, easy-to-grip barrel- and the Kurecolor Twin S– with a slimmer, square barrel, so it won’t roll off the table!
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CHAMELEON COLOR TONE PENS
One of the newest markers here at Marker Supply, the Chameleon Color Tone Pens have a very unique ability.
Each marker fits together into 2 parts. One part can be used alone as a regular double-ended coloring marker with alcohol-based ink. OR, if you take out the small section in the middle, you can place the colored tip into the second part of the marker- which has a tip filled with a clear blending solution.
Let the clear blender tip soak for a moment into the colored tip. Then take the colored section of the marker back out, color with it, and watch what happens! The color will start super faint, then gradually darken all on its own as you color! These markers make it VERY easy to color in a seamless gradation- letting you apply some awesome effects to your coloring pages!
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Hop on our social media pages and hashtag #MarkerSupply to let us know which markers you like to use!
Happy coloring, everyone!!
The new craze of coloring books has people searching for the best tools to bring color and life to their pages. There are so many kinds to choose from! Marker Supply is focusing several blogs on markers and more that are perfect for use in coloring!
See Part 1: Zig Double-Ended Markers
See Part 3: Alcohol-Based Markers
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Part 2: Pens & Pencils
If you’re unsure about how your coloring page paper will handle using markers, you can always go with alternative tools such as gel pens and colored pencils!
SAKURA GELLY ROLL PENS
The Sakura Gelly Roll pens are fantastic tools for adding special effects to your coloring books. You can use them alone or on top of already colored spaces. Color carefully however! The gel ink is very opaque (non-see-through) and will cover over the black outlines of your images.
Gelly Rolls come in classic colors, or try our favorites with fun features:
–Gelly Roll Stardust with super glittery ink!
–Gelly Roll Moonlight with bright, neon ink!
–Gelly Roll Metallic with a sheen of colorful metallic ink!
Or try our new giant 74-piece Gelly Roll Collection!
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ZIG WINK OF STELLA GLITTER PENS
Another great choice for adding some sparkle effects to your pages! These special glitter pens come in either a fine plastic tip, or a bristle brush tip, and along with their color, they lay down a nice amount of shimmer. Use them alone, or over already-colored pages! (The clear Wink of Stella markers are great for overlaying on top of color!)
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PRISMACOLOR PREMIER COLORED PENCILS
The Prismacolor Premier pencils come in a large range of 150 colors and a variety of sets, allowing you to find just the colors you need! There are even different styles to fit your coloring needs, including the Verithin with a more narrow lead and the Col-Erase with an eraser tip! The soft cores and high color pigments make these super easy, artist-quality tools to color with!
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PRISMACOLOR WATERCOLOR PENCILS
A fun type of pencil that will color normally as other colored pencils do, but when blended with water, the Prismacolor Watercolor Pencils with move along with the water and act like watercolor paints! You don’t need to use much for awesome blending and shadowing effects! (Tip: For best results, make sure your paper is thick enough or specially designed for use with watercolor mediums. When tools are used with water on too thin of paper, your pages can buckle, wrinkle, or tear.)
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POLYCHROMOS OIL-BASED COLORED PENCILS
A special type of colored pencil from Faber-Castell, the Polychromos use an oil base rather than a wax base- allowing for super smooth color laydown and blending. The thick 3.8mm leads come inside a premium cedar wood casing, making these super strong coloring tools. They are available in 120 rich, permanent colors.
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KOH-I-NOOR TRI-TONE PENCILS
A new and limited-time colored pencil line here at Marker Supply, the TriTone Pencils feature a blend of 3 different colors within each pencil tip- giving you some fun color effects! Color normally or twist the pencil as you color for a unique coloring style!
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Stay tuned to the Marker Supply Blog for more coloring book marker highlights!
Hop on our social media pages and hashtag #MarkerSupply to let us know which markers you like to use!
Happy coloring, everyone!!
The new craze of coloring books has people searching for the best tools to bring color and life to their pages. There are so many kinds to choose from! Marker Supply is focusing several blogs on markers and more that are perfect for use in coloring!
See Part 3: Alcohol-Based Markers
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PART 1: ZIG DOUBLE-ENDED MARKERS
We love dual tip markers because it’s like getting 2 pens in 1! And these water-based markers make great choices for coloring books, because the ink tends to not bleed through most papers- a great benefit if you have double-sided pages!
ZIG BRUSHABLES
The Brushables are dual brush tip markers that feature a solid color on one end, and a 50% lighter shade of that color on the other end- making it super easy to color in two matching tones. The rubber brush tip works in larger spaces and all those super tiny spots as well!
Find them in color sets or a complete set of 24!
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ZIG WRITER
The Zig Writer is a great marker for general writing and paper crafting purposes, but also has nice basic tips for coloring. On one side, find a rounded bullet tip, and on the other, a fine plastic tip. Comes in 48 colors!
These markers also come in metallic and chalk pastel colors, great for both light AND dark coloring pages!
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ZIG FINE & CHISEL
Another marker with great tips for coloring, the “Fine & Chisel” describes itself perfectly. You get a fine plastic tip on one side, and a slanted chisel tip on the other. Chisel tips give you nice control over how you color- the same tip covers both broad and narrow spaces!
Have a look at some special “seasonal” sets featuring fun color groups of the Fine & Chisel markers!
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ZIG ART & GRAPHIC
Although not found in the “Zig Memory System” like the other Zig dual tip markers, the Art & Graphic is one of our favorite dual tip pens. Comparable to the Tombow dual brush pen, it has a fine tip opposite a flexible rubber brush tip, making it great for many things- including coloring!
If you have coloring pages thick enough to handle it, the Art & Graphics blend like watercolor when used with a water brush like the Zig BrusH20, which makes for some awesome effects!
Try them in some brand new Art & Graphic color sets or find a large range of 80 colors individually!
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ZIG PHOTO TWIN
Just one of the great finds in our Clearance Section– the Photo Twin markers are what we use in coloring books for just a little tint of color. Designed for adding color to B&W photos, a lot of the Photo Twin colors are on the pale side, while still giving a nice look! The large brush tip and smaller brush tip are perfect for those coloring books with tiny spaces. There are limited quantities of these markers left, so get ’em while you can!
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Stay tuned to the Marker Supply Blog for more coloring book marker highlights!
Hop on our social media pages and hashtag #MarkerSupply to let us know which markers you like to use!
Happy coloring, everyone!!
We’ve seen them everywhere- COLORING BOOKS are all the rage lately! Kids have always enjoyed them, and we are happy to see adults joining in the fun too!
This month, Marker Supply is highlighting markers that we love using for coloring books. Check out the Coloring Book Section on our website, and stay tuned for more blogs about the different types of coloring tools we have- including water-based markers, alcohol-based markers, and pencils!
WIN SOME COLORING BOOK MARKERS IN OUR NEW CONTEST!
Our current contest has several ways you can enter from now until August 17th. One grand prize winner to receive a complete set of all 24 Zig Brushables Markers! These double-ended markers have a solid color on one end, and a 50% lighter shade of that color on the other end. So in all, this set gives you 48 colors!! The durable, “rubber” brush tip makes it very easy to color larger spaces AND super tiny spaces as well. Zig Brushables are water-based, so they won’t bleed through your coloring book pages, and they are non-toxic- so kids can use them too!
When the contest has ended, we will randomly draw ONE grand prize winner to receive the Brushables set. We’ll also pick THREE runners-up who will win an assorted coloring book marker pack! We will notify the winners via email, so make sure to check your inbox (and the spam folder too, in case it gets filtered into there!)
WAYS TO ENTER THE CONTEST:
You have a chance to earn multiple entries for our Coloring Book Contest, each by a different action.
*Sign up for our email newsletter!
Marker Supply sends out emails every now and then to let you know about new products, special offers, store closings, and more. Submit your email address and earn a contest entry! (Note: If you are already signed up for our newsletter- thanks! You can still submit your email address in that section and use it as an entry for this contest.)
*Tell us what you like to use in your coloring books!
Which markers do you like to color with? Check your favorites from off the list and earn a contest entry.
*Show us a page from your coloring book!
We love to see what your markers have made! Upload a photo of a page from your coloring book that you’ve colored to a social media website (Instagram, Facebook, or Twitter) with the hashtag #markersupply and then pair that photo with this entry option on the contest page.
Start earning your entries on our contest page HERE. Good luck! 🙂
We’re wrapping up chalk markers and chalkboard month at Marker Supply with another featured artist!!
Aside from party boards (as featured in our blog about LA Sign Design), and the countless chalk marker projects you can do at home (some of which highlighted in our last blog), another big area that you may notice the art of chalkboard signs is in stores and restaurants! Windows, displays, grocery departments, event posters, menus, and more can have such a nice appeal to customers after they’ve been decorated with chalk markers!!
We Markerland folks are always very impressed by the talented people behind those signs, and we are excited to feature a chalkboard sign artist who is very active in doing store display and event poster chalkboards!
Some amazing work done by Rachel- a.k.a. @SignJay
Rachel Humiston is from Richmond, VA and has been doing professional chalkboard signs since 2008.
“I got a job as a sign artist at Trader Joe’s. I didn’t have any experience- I actually had just graduated with a math degree, but I wanted to do well so I threw all my energy into practicing and improving. I didn’t know at the time I would make a career of it, but it is a practical kind of art form and in retrospect- that fits my personality perfectly!
The first piece I ever did was a 24 x 41 inch display for roasted red pepper and tomato soup and some crackers at Trader Joe’s. I still remember sitting on the floor drawing and re-writing the layout trying to make all of the information fit. It took days but thankfully I had a very patient boss who had faith and I got the hang of it. Eight years later we are still a team and I’m very grateful!”
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RACHEL’S RECENT WORKS
“I actually finished the largest piece I have done to date just this week! It was a series of different size frames covering an area of approximately 11 x 12 feet for an event called Creative Marketplace where local artists and makers come together to connect and share their wares with the community. I’ve done a couple murals that were physically larger but this was the largest typography design thus far.”
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SOME CHALKBOARD ART TIPS FROM RACHEL
“The projects I take on usually require a lot of information in a relatively small space, so the toughest part of the process is finding creative solutions to dividing up the text so it is both easy to read and also beautiful.
Once I have a good design, the rest is pure fun!”
Getting started:
“I typically start by looking at my source materials- packaging, logos, etc. and visualize some ideas in my head first. Then I will do 2 or 3 very loose thumbnail sketches, to make sure I have enough room for all of my elements, and select the best layout. The sketches are comically simple because I’ve found that fine-tuning is best done on the actual board. I’ll then do the sketch on the board and move things around as necessary- this way I can see the design to scale. The exception is when you work menus- you need mathematical precision, so those sketches are much more in-depth.”
Correcting mistakes:
“If it’s a small mistake, I can correct it when I add the background color, outlines, and shadows by simply drawing over it. If it is something that needs to be completely changed, I use 91% isopropyl alcohol to clean the area. That sounds technical but it’s just the stuff you find in first aid kits. You can buy it just about anywhere- it’s inexpensive and works well. “
Working on chalkboards vs. glass:
“Chalkboards have some grit to them that helps to slow down the marker and gives more control. The smoothness of glass means the marker moves fast and loose. It also affects how I hold the pen- on chalkboards I rest my arm and wrist on the board for stability, but with glass the marker is the only thing that can touch. The surface I prefer working on is chalk boards, but if I’m working on glass I will lean towards script fonts- as their flow is more conducive to the surface.”
Spacing tips:
“Draw rectangles around the rounded letters like “O” or “D”- it makes it easier to compare the corners to see if they are even. Invest in a clear drafting ruler that is divided into grid- it will change your life!”
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CHALK MARKERS : RACHEL’S PICKS
(and some suggestions from us!)
“I am a huge Woodcraft marker devotee- the opacity, vibrancy, and ease with which you can do multiple coats cannot be beat! They are incredibly versatile and can be used on so many surfaces. I use a ton of Gardenia, a lovely warm white. I use the chisel tip and the Big & Broad size in equal measure.
The Woodcraft markers are actually quite permanent even without sealing them. I have interior signs that have been up for 8 years under fluorescent lighting and they have not faded, chipped, or cracked!
More recently I’ve expanded to the Uni Poscas in the 1, 3 and 5m sizes because they are perfect for crisping up the edges of the letters, great for outlining, and they work great over or under the Woodcraft markers.”
If you are looking to do some art for a store, restaurant, etc., we have what you need at Marker Supply! Try these special sets that might help you get started:
Zig Posterman Starter Sets come in 3 different sizes and each feature Zig Posterman markers in a variety of colors and tip sizes for you to try, as well as a great chalkboard cleaning tool- the Scrubs do-it-all wipes!
Perfect little starter packs of the Zig Woodcraft Markers, the Food Menu Sets feature colors specifically picked to match a different food group theme!
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Thanks again to Rachel for sharing your work and advice with us!
Check out Rachel’s Instagram to see more of her amazing chalk marker art!!
**ALL CHALK ART PHOTOS ON THIS BLOG ARE COPYRIGHT TO RACHEL HUMISTON and we are thankful for her letting us use them to show off her talent! 🙂
Have any chalk marker artwork that you’d like to share? Tag us #MarkerSupply – we’d love to see!!!
We’ve seen how chalk marker art can be great at parties and special events (with our last blog featuring LA Sign Design), and you’ve likely seen chalk markers used on windows/displays/menus at stores and restaurants (stay tuned for our next blog featuring another great chalk artist!), but there is also PLENTY to be done with chalk paint & markers at home!
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CHALKBOARD FURNITURE/CABINETS
You don’t always have to go BIG with the chalkboard theme in your house by covering an entire wall or door. (We’ve even seen refrigerators turned chalkboard!) Try just transforming a piece of furniture & other smaller household surfaces with chalkboard paint, like the Brush-On or Spray-On paints from Krylon!
Chalk desks are an awesome way to cut down on paper notes, to-do lists, etc. (and you are less likely to lose important info if it’s written right on the desktop!) They are also a fun addition to a kid’s playroom! (Water-based chalk markers are safe for kids to use!) Using chalk markers instead of regular chalk keeps these projects free of dust and smudging!
Keep helpful information handy when you turn the inside of your cabinet doors into a chalkboard notepad!
One of our new products from Krylon also pairs very well with chalk markers. “Chalky Finish” paints are like chalk markers in a spray paint form- great for doing larger pieces that would be tough to do with just a marker tip. Also, since it’s a spray paint, it allows a nice, even coverage of color on curves, edges, and all those tricky little places.
After you are done using the “Chalky Finish” paint to go over the entire object, use chalk markers to draw on some details!
CHALKBOARD PICTURE FRAMES
Grab some inexpensive photo frames at yard sales, thrift stores, etc. and paint the glass with chalkboard paint. (Or you can also use Strathmore’s Black Chalk Paper– an item we love from our sister company Paper & Ink Arts.)
Any frame can quickly become a fun way for displaying your own artwork and quotes, and makes a fun gift idea too!
Make some signs for different areas of your house, or just use them as a canvas for some chalkboard style wall art!
DISHES
The Pebeo Porcelaine Chalkboard Paint is specially made for use on dishes and other heat-stable bases such as glass, ceramic, porcelain, etc. Once baked on, it is dishwasher safe! Create a re-writable chalkboard surface to give your dishes some unique designs and keep track of multiple drink containers that would otherwise look alike!
Hint: Use Pebeo or permanent, oil-based markers to draw on the sections of art/words that you want to always be there.
Then use erasable chalk markers for the temporary parts.
CHALK LABELS
Whether permanent or temporary, labels are a handy way to remember what’s what! Chalkboard labels have a great look in whatever area they are used in! Try the Marvy Easy Chalkboard Marker to turn things like paper, wood, cardboard, or terra cotta pots into a smooth black chalkboard surface! (This marker is also great for making chalkboard-style cards & gift tags!)
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DO YOU HAVE CHALKBOARD / CHALK MARKER ART IN YOUR HOME?
Show us your projects & decor on our Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter!!
@MarkerSupply #MarkerSupply
We are very excited about Marker Supply’s newest featured artist – Lacey at LA Sign Design!
“My main passion is to keep the art of handwriting and cursive alive in the most creative ways possible.
I love technology but nothing beats handmade, in my opinion.” –Lacey @ LA Sign Design
Lacey is the owner/artist behind her business, LA Sign Design, that creates a number of incredible chalk marker art projects- from store advertisements, to event posters, to menus, to our highlight of this blog: PARTY BOARDS!!
Handmade boards done with chalk markers are becoming more & more popular at birthdays, weddings, and other special events as a fun and unique way to decorate and display information to the guests!
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We asked Lacey some questions about her work as a chalkboard artist, specifically in the area of doing boards for special occasions:
How long have you been making chalk art boards for parties?
Professionally, since 2012, but I have loved to doodle since I could hold a crayon.
What objects do you use for your actual boards?
Mainly old wood-framed pictures I up-cycle into chalkboards. I purchase the picture frames from the local Savers or Goodwill, thrift sales, & auctions. I also cut sanded plywood in custom sizes for a variety of different projects.
Are there surfaces that are easier or more difficult to draw on than others?
Since most my work is freehand, learning to write straight & evenly spaced on an already mounted chalkboard or surface is probably the most difficult to master. I create artwork on glass as well-this can be slippery & really test ones hand steadiness.
How big are your average-size boards and how long do they take to finish?
My mini chalkboards are popular as 8 x 10 inch picture frames. I’ve also created wedding programs that are 4 x 4 foot & photo-op standees that are 7 feet tall! Most signage only requires 1-2 hours of work (Prep, design, sketches, art, touch-ups, seal coat) but is determined more by the amount of writing & special designs required.
What do you use on top of a finished board to seal & protect it?
To really make a board last I offer my clients the option to seal coat with either a Matte or Gloss finish Mod Podge. Sealing is a great idea to preserve the ink from fading and really makes the writing stand out against the black chalkboard.
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BIRTHDAY BOARDS
Birthday chalkboards are stand-out party decor for kids AND adults of any age! Not only are they fun for the party itself, but they can remain treasured keepsakes to remember the event well into the future! Fill them with information from life at the present moment, and then you can always have a look back to your “time capsule sign!”
We LOVE these colorful and customized kids birthday signs by LA Sign Design!!
(and congrats on the recent Blue-Ribbon-Win!)
You can also make chalkboard signs for different areas & activities at your party-
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WEDDING BOARDS
An elegant way to decorate for a couple’s big day!!
Even simply using just white ink on a black chalkboard can still make beautiful pieces to introduce the wedding party, display the menu options, or have as backdrops for photos!
“Wedding signage is becoming a fast trend and the markers seriously make all the difference on the big day. Brides are always so relieved to learn my “chalk” is actually water-proof & smudge-proof unlike regular chalk. I always have the option of Chalk Ink markers which are no-mess and dust-free in case they need the signage to be temporary. Doing the wedding program on a large chalkboard or refinished door is becoming super popular and cost effective compared to printing programs.” -Lacey @ LA Sign Design
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Lacey’s favorite marker picks:
*Zig Posterman Medium and Big & Broad
*Uni Posca Fine, Medium, and Broad
*Sharpie Poster Paint Fine and Medium
Sharpie Poster Paint (water-based) is the best marker I’ve found for white, red, and yellow colors. The pigment lasts and covers well over black surfaces. I like using Posterman and Sharpie markers so my chalkboard artwork is already smudge-proof & water-proof but not chemical-proof (ink can be removed with Windex). Postermans also work great on glass indoors & outdoors. Chalk ink (ex. Posterman Wet-Wipe) markers work perfect for a surface that needs to be reused or edited easily. The liquid chalk can be wiped clean with water and best part is no chalk dust!
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Lacey’s advice to those interested in chalk marker art:
“Make mistakes, fix them, & create some more!
My skills continue to develop over time with practice, studying new techniques, & faith in my freehand ability.
If you are not as sure about your freehand skills, but really want to create a chalkboard sign, use this neat trick:
1. Find a quote, picture, or design online [or create one in Word] and print it off to fit your chalkboard.
2. Use a No.2 Pencil & cover the backside of this printed off picture with pencil.
3. Tape the paper to the chalkboard.
4. Use pencil to now trace pressing firmly over the quote & transfer the pencil from the backside to the board.
5. Remove paper & reveal a light outline of exactly where you need to color!”
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Thanks so much to Lacey for all of the insights into her chalkboard world! Keep up the good work!!
To contact Lacey or see more of her artwork, check out her webpage HERE!
She also occasionally has giveaways for FREE mini chalkboards! Fun!!
© ALL PHOTOS ARE COPYRIGHTED TO LA SIGN DESIGN.
Marker Supply appreciates her letting us use them in the blog!!
Since it’s “chalk marker month” here at Marker Supply, we figured it would be a good time to go over a few basic details of these types of markers to help you pick which ones are right for you!!
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Some terms commonly used with chalk markers:
WET-WIPE / WET-ERASE: This type of ink is removable from non-porous surfaces with plain water. Just use a damp cloth and your marks will come off! Best used for indoor art, and for those projects that need to be re-written often- menus, calendars, etc.
WATERPROOF: The opposite of a wet-erase marker, this is the semi-permanent kind of chalk marker ink. Once dry, it should resist water- making it ideal for outdoor signage. Can still be removed from non-porous surfaces like glass and most chalkboards using a standard ammonia-based household/window cleaner.
VALVE-ACTION: A term for the type of tip mechanism used with most chalk markers. Before their first use, valve-action tips will have no paint in them. Get them started by gently pressing them in and out onto a piece of scrap paper several times to start the flow of ink (also known as “priming” the marker). This kind of tip prevents it from drying out- just give it a few pumps and it will refresh itself! These tips can also be easily removed and replaced if they become overly damaged.
FLUORESCENT: These markers have special color pigments that will have a “glowing” effect under a black/UV light. Zig’s Fluorescent markers use the name “Illumigraph”.
Notes about Fluorescent colors:
-Lighter colors will pop the most under black lights. Darker colors may still appear to be dark.
-Under a black light, white will glow with more of a purplish color.
OPAQUE: A common term with inks and paints meaning the opposite of transparent (see-through). Opaque colors will cover a surface completely, blocking out the background/other colors underneath.
POROUS vs. NON-POROUS: Chalk paint markers will bond permanently to porous surfaces- those with tiny holes that make the surface absorbent- such as paper, posterboard, wood, and fabric. Chalk marker paint can be removed from hard, non-porous surfaces such as glass, metal, and most chalkboards.
GHOSTING: On some surfaces, a faint mark (“ghosting”) will still be left behind after you erase your work. This happens with some colors more than others- metallics and super bright colors are often known to ghost. Painted chalkboards tend to have this problem because the “chalkboard” surface is more on the porous side. You can try a cleaner to help remove them, but usually these spots will need to be re-painted over. Using a primer under your chalkboard paint can sometimes help prevent marks from staining. It’s always a wise idea to test your marks in a small, hidden area first to see if they will ghost.
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Chalk Marker Tip Shapes & Sizes
Chalk markers come with a variety of different tip styles to choose from. There are jumbo tips for coloring big spaces, pin-type tips for tiny details, and tips like the chisel or brush- which make different size marks depending on how you hold the marker.
This handy chart will give you a better look at each one and where to find them!
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Find it at Marker Supply:
See the following list for a guide to what chalkboard art supplies we carry at www.markersupply.com!
THE SURFACE PREPS:
–KRYLON CHALKBOARD PAINT -BRUSH ON
–KRYLON CHALKBOARD PAINT- SPRAY ON
–KRYLON PRIMER/SEALER
–KRYLON CHALKY FINISH PAINTS
–MARVY EASY CHALKBOARD MARKER
–PEBEO PORCELAINE CHALKBOARD PAINT
THE MARKERS:
–UNI POSCA
–ZIG POSTERMAN
–ZIG WOODCRAFT
–ZIG ILLUMIGRAPH
–MARVY BISTRO
–MARVY DECOCOLOR ACRYLIC
–MARVY GARDENCRAFT
–SHARPIE POSTER
–KRINK K-32 AND K-55
-PEBEO decoMARKERS (*NEW!* COMING LATER THIS SUMMER!!)
THE REPLACEMENT TIPS:
–UNI POSCA TIPS
–ZIG WOODCRAFT TIPS
–ZIG POSTERMAN TIPS
THE CLEANERS:
–SCRUBS DO-IT-ALL WIPES
–ZIG CHALKBOARD CLEANER
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Win a Chalkboard Art Kit!!
Don’t forget about this month’s contest!! Just submit your email address into our handy entry form HERE for your chance to win a chalkboard art kit!! (Note: Your email will only be used to pick the winner and sign you up for Marker Supply’s email newsletter.)
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Tag #MarkerSupply in your chalk marker art/projects! We’d love to see what your markers are up to!!
