How to Write on Plastic Permanently

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Using a permanent marker for writing or drawing on plastic can be great for art projects. However, many people have the issue of getting the marker ink to stay on the plastic surface. Most permanent markers don’t include waterproof ink, which makes them easily washable and prone to fading, regardless of whether you use thicker lines or rewrite the words.

This post includes the best ways to keep your permanent markers on plastic surfaces so that they don’t wash away easily or fade over time. Whether you’re a beginner or consider yourself to be among the professional artists, be sure to implement the tips below when writing on plastic.

Keep the Surface Clean

• For starters, you must make sure that the plastic surface is clean. If there’s any oil or other substances on the surface, even Sharpie extreme permanent markers won’t work well.
• Use soap and warm water to clean the surface. If you find that there’s still more dirt, use lemon juice or vinegar to thoroughly clean the plastic. 
• Be sure to use acidic cleaners carefully in order to prevent the coating from coming off the plastic items. 

Choosing the Right Permanent Marker

There are different types of permanent markers available. These include oil-based markers, water-based markers, and alcohol-based markers. Not all permanent markers are created equal.

Oil-based markers have a reputation for sticking to many types of surfaces, including metal, wood, glass, rubber, and plastic. This type of permanent marker also creates a shine. Therefore, it’s ideal if you’re looking to write or draw on plastic and have a shiny finish. 

Preparing the Ink

Preparing the surface for the best results to keep the permanent marker on plastic is important. 

• Start by sanding the item to create a slightly rough surface. 120-grit sandpaper is best for this as it gives your marker ink something to grip onto, making it smear-proof.
• A smooth surface means that the pigmented ink is more likely to smudge and fade more quickly.
• To get the smooth, shiny factor back on your plastic item, you can use epoxy on it or even other art supplies, such as a Magic Eraser. 

Final Steps

• Once the plastic is prepped, you can start drawing your desired design with your permanent paint markers.
• The previous preparation steps created microscopic holes in the surface, which means that your Sharpie ink is given a better opportunity to seep into the materials and stay.
• Once you’ve finished, be sure to let the item completely dry.

Conclusion

After reading through our post on how to keep marker ink on plastic permanently, we hope that you’re feeling more assured about doing it for yourself.

You can follow these methods and use opaque ink, acrylic ink, paint marker, paint pens, alcohol-based markers, and oil-based permanent marker for artwork that’s fade resistant. Finding the best permanent markers for your projects will depend on your personal experience and the types of designs that you create.

Therefore, it may be worth experimenting with more than one marker brand and type to find the one that you like best.

FAQs

Can you use mod podge to seal the ink on plastic?

Yes, you can find mod podge in spray bottles which makes them easy to use. Simply spray it over your DIY projects and let it dry.

Do waterproof sprays work for keeping oil-based markers permanent on plastic?

You can use waterproof sprays to make your oil-based marker designs stay permanent for your art projects. Simply spray a little of the waterproof spray over the ink with a clear coat and leave it to dry for a while. 

What are the best permanent markers for plastic?

The Sharpie Extreme permanent marker pens are excellent for drawing on not only plastic but other materials too. This makes them one of the best permanent marker brands.

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