0
Wasted 2 months using the wrong marker type for my signs
I was using regular Sharpies on poster board and wondering why everything smudged in light rain. A guy next to me at a rally pointed out you need oil-based paint markers instead, they hold up way better. Has anyone else made this dumb mistake?
3 comments
Log in to join the discussion
Log In3 Comments
emery2901mo ago
Your rally buddy saved you a ton of headache. Once I figured out oil based paint markers were the way to go, I never looked back. They don't run at all, even in a downpour, and the color stays bright way longer. Another tip is to let them dry completely before stacking your signs, that first 10 minutes is still a little risky with wet paint. But yeah, regular Sharpies on cardboard might as well be a washable marker for outdoor use.
8
sean_green441mo ago
Has anyone tried putting a clear coat of matte spray sealer over their finished cardboard signs? I did that a few years back for a weekend thing and the colors didn't fade at all, even after three straight days of sun and a little drizzle. Took maybe 5 minutes extra per sign when I was done. The other upside nobody talks about is the cardboard itself stays stiff instead of getting all that wavy cardboard texture from moisture in the air. Not sure if the sealer would mess with the paint marker finish though, I was using regular poster paint that time so I didn't have to worry about it.
-1
michaelgrant17d ago
Oh man, yeah I've been down that exact road. Tried matte sealer on a bunch of signs for a protest a couple years back and it works great with poster paint but honestly it's a gamble with paint markers. The solvent in some markers can react with the sealer and make the ink bleed or get this weird tacky finish that never dries. I'd say test it on a scrap piece first before you commit. If you're using water based paint markers you're probably fine, but the oil based ones like Sharpie or Posca can get real fussy. That cardboard staying stiff thing is legit though, that wavy texture from humidity is the worst.
4