Markers: varieties and selection rules

Bright, beautiful, brilliant pictures always attract the attention of children. When children create drawings themselves, it stimulates creative development and craving for beauty. Simple felt-tip pens help in this case: today, their variety and subtleties are so great that they can give odds to expensive analogues and replace other tools for creativity (for example, watercolor, gouache, paints for mixing).

The homeland of such unpretentious paint is Japan. In 1960, she appeared in Europe under the name of the trademark "Flo-Master". It consisted of a casing in the form of a tube with a rod inside and an ink reservoir — the tip of felt or nylon, through which the paint flows down and a bright trace is obtained leaving a pattern. Markers are designed for children older than three years as they have removable parts of small size (cap and cover to protect the drying rod with paint).

Depending on the functional composition may be different, but all the ink is obtained from a concentrated dye dissolved in water with various additives, which determine view:

• Alcohol. The most persistent members of the family of markers. Their advantage is durability. They are rather soiled and indelible, although they can be removed with the help of alcohol. Have a peculiar smell.
• Water based. Natural composition, excellent for children's creativity. It is easy to wash it off from the surfaces in order to wipe off the baby’s skin, you will have to try. Since water is a rapidly evaporating material, this property and this composition did not go around. These pens dry quickly, but they can be revived with water. This quality affects the acceptable price range.

• Chalky. They are liquid chalk for drawing on the blackboard. They are an excellent alternative to school chalk: colors are bright, felt-tip pens do not dry the skin, do not get into the respiratory tract. They are similar to the core corrector of the text, but they are easy to erase (a wet cloth is enough).
• Phosphoric. Filled with phosphoric gel, are all luminous markers, have a smell. Can be removed with soap solution.

The size range and forms of these creative objects are diverse and tailored to the user's age and occupations:

• thin - for creativity;
• large - for construction;
• thick - for fast coloring;
• voluminous - for children;
• with a thin rod - for calligraphy and drawing fine lines;
• short - for kids.

Children manufacturers come up with the most interesting forms of the rod: in the form of a flower, a bird, a magic wand.

Previously, not many species were attributed to markers. These were markers, highlighters for highlighting important text or errors, capillary pens that write on all surfaces. Now the species composition has changed. A simple marker is replaced by permanent and watercolor, and markers are even magical.

Among the main varieties are the following:

• Pen marker. It has a thin line of writing and can be an excellent replacement for a capillary pen.Today, it is used in exams, as it clearly and vividly writes, and it does not frighten the greasy spots on the sheet and sweating hands.

• Double sided. They have several combinations: one color and different thickness of tips (thick or thin), two colors in one felt-tip pen, or a combination of two qualities (thickness and chromaticity). Flush and bright.
• Artistic, watercolor. Favorite creators, when writing, leave a line similar to a brush stroke. Bright and colorful. The advantage over watercolor - do not mix and "do not flow."

• Color sets. They contain at least 6 or more colors (10, 12, 18, 24, 36, 48, 50, 60, 100 colors). Their color range is bright and rich. Standard black and unusual white, red and all its shades diversify drawing. Multi-colored set is popular among artists, because they work with tonalities. For the baby, you can pick up fewer colors.
• Sequined, shiny. A find for creative works and children's imagination. Serve more for decoration than for writing. Contains glitter in composition. Thanks to the sparkles, colors are enlivened.

• Permanent. Station wagon for dyeing paper, fabrics accessories accessories, tableware. Indelible, long-lasting color.

• Trihedral. Special markers for correction and ease of writing. Their secret is to repeat the shape of the hand when writing: a triangle forms between the thumb and forefinger when writing, and such a shape is oriented towards it. Bright and washable with water.

• Glowing in the dark. Neon, fluorescent, ultraviolet, fluorescent - a separate type of "magic" markers. Due to its composition with non-toxic inks and water-based pigments, they have a luminous effect. At the same time drawing is afraid of water, the effect of a luminescence disappears. Have transparency. Often used as a highlighter.
• Blown out. Air blown - interesting markers with a mass of names. The principle of drawing them is particularly interesting and unusual: with the help of blowing air, colored splashes of dye appear, forming uncomplicated drawings. Included with them are special cutout stencils for creating drawings, and not just colored spots.

• Calligraphic. These varieties have a fine, straight cut tip. Calligraphy markers give interesting drawing effects and have a nice color.
• Magical. Special markers that change color. Drawing in one color and putting on the "invisible" color, as a result, a new shade is obtained. The property is also interesting: write something in an “invisible” color or draw and color it - you will receive a secret message. To find out what color it will end up with, the manufacturer made a hint (color of the cap).

• Markers stamps. Creative and convenient to create pictures using print. They can be printed or on wheel. Most often stamps are on the other side of the tip of the marker. The stamp can be any (letters, numbers, cartoon characters, animals). Indelible.
• Super washable. They have a natural ink composition, therefore they are washed away from absolutely any surfaces even with cold water, they do not leave color on the skin. These include markers for drawing on the body. Children - fun and entertainment, adults - a means for creativity. Hypoallergenic.

Markers have a lot of advantages:

• development of creative imagination, fine motor skills, mental abilities;
• bright colours;
• safe composition;
• do not require repair or sharpening, do not break;
• palette variety.

They have several drawbacks:

• they dry quickly if you do not close the cap;
• often badly washed off the skin;
• it is sometimes inconvenient to paint large elements (the figure is shaded).

Today there are many manufacturers of markers. The best sellers today are companies Carioca, Stabilo, Centropen, Giotto, Kalyaka-Malyaka, Faber Castell, Chameleon, Koh-i-noor, Magic pens. All of them are focused on the production of various types of markers (from simple and cheap to special children’s: with a short pen, dies, sparkles). Chameleon and Magic pens have many features (for example, the marker can change the main color with the help of auxiliary, to be brilliant).

The market has a large number of markers for artists. For them, Japanese manufacturers are trying Copic. Markers for design and art have two working sides with different types of tips (sharp and angled). They have a wide color palette (214 pieces). Refuel, and not one time, but 7-8 refills. Such high quality has a high price: you will have to pay more than 200 rubles for one marker.

These tools can be used for coloring and writing in different ways and in different places. There are special washable markers for the bathroom: during washing, the child can play and practice on a special water coloring. Pen for water drawing can also be used in the bathroom. For drawing in the room there are special mats (empty and with images for coloring).

Permanent markers and varieties with sparkles can be used to decorate the fabric (for example, on boring clothes, or paint t-shirts with the child). Builders need a special marker for wood, glass (it is durable, resistant to roughness and moisture).

The main thing for children is safety. Therefore, the best choice is the naturalness and density of the compounds. Quality children's markers are not as easy to find as they seem. To choose durable and safe paint you need to take into account many factors:

• Housing The younger the child, the thicker and denser the body material should be. Children tend to engage on the floor, one accidental grazing on the body of the body leads to cracking. Sharp edges can even cut a baby. Therefore, the best material is polypropylene. It is non-toxic, when pushing it does not crumble into fragments. Today triangular markers are popular for the correct location in the children's pen. The thick marker does not fit the child: it does not correspond to the natural position of the hand when writing.

• Composition (basis). Water - the safest and hypoallergenic, washable, have no smell, but because it is a good markers for children. If the pen is used in construction, artistic graphics, it is better to choose the option with the alcohol base (the color lasts a long time and does not fade).

• Tip. For schoolchildren, it is better to choose soft tips from felt and nylon. The line from them will be bright and thick. Such a tip does not creak or squeeze.

• Cap. The main requirement is ventilation. BS 7272/90 - the cherished letters and numbers that correspond to the highest quality of air passage. If the child has time to swallow or stick the pen in the nose, such a volume of air will allow you to breathe. If the child is small, you need to make sure that he does not swallow the cap, or to choose long and thick caps.

• Colors. The older the child, the more color range you can choose. If the 2-3-year-old children fit 6 colors, preschool children prefer 12 colors in the set. A first grader will satisfy a set of 24 colors and more. For school it is better to acquire a middle ground (12 colors). They will not distract and help to concentrate on the lesson, and not on the choice of color.

• Drawing place. Simple markers are suitable for drawing at the table. If the child is the owner of the easel, or you need to write on the blackboard at school, stock up on more complicated types (permanent, super removable, suitable for a magnetic marker board).

Fill the marker is not difficult. It should be borne in mind that there are one-time models (the cap is not removed). One more nuance - even if to refuel and revive the marker, the effect will not be long. And from frequent refueling fade colors.

Filling markers is not so difficult. At first look, on what basis the coloring material - water or alcohol (and we will fill it). You are incredibly lucky if the pen cap opens easily. Then you need to take a syringe with a needle, type water or alcohol, then enter into the rod. Tight cover can be removed with forceps or a knife to pry.

Another method of filling is to place the writing tip in the filling liquid. Pour into a small container (lid, bowl) water or alcohol and immerse the tip of the pen until full impregnation. It is important to consider that it is impossible to put different colors in one water (they will mix). Another life hacking from users is refilling ink from the printer according to colors.

Consider the amount of fluid filled. If there is a lot of it, the drawings will look like blots. The sheet will get wet and shine from the back side. Do not confuse the basis and means of refueling, otherwise it will be impossible to reanimate the marker.

Reviews of markers for the most part are positive. Modern, bright, saturated colors, durable, washable - and this is only part of the positive feedback. Each species has its advantages and disadvantages. Water markers Centropen are good at fulfilling their main function, but the price for quality is high, although it justifies itself. They are washed off any surfaces, but they are difficult to wash off from the skin. Similar to them are products of the company KOH-I-NOOR. Brightness, low price and durability are their strengths.

Firms Carioca, Faber Caste responsible for quality. They produce excellent markers for toddlers who are not forced, bright, dry quickly. However, there are some flaws in the reviews - they are hard to wash off, there is little information on the package, and some of them do not have Russian at all. Russian manufacturers are not far behind foreign companies and also delight customers with their brightness, safety, and the absence of smells from their products. However, there are models that are hard to wash off (only with cleaning agents).

Markers with stamps have many reviews. They have a lot of strengths. There are weaknesses: the size of the rod is not suitable for use by adults, stamps quickly dry, leaving a faint trace and gaps.

Market markers today is rich. This contributes to a large number of creative works and exciting activities. The kid since the childhood is accustomed to beauty and develops imagination. And for adults, different types of markers will be a great discovery that will be a step towards an amazing world of fantasy and drawing.

If you want to learn a lot more interesting things about markers, then watch the following video.