Felt pens: how to make the right choice?

Felt pens are one of the most popular products for children's creativity. There is an astronomically wide range of markers on the market today. But in order to learn how to choose the right markers, you need to understand some of the subtleties.

Everything ingenious is simple. Conventionally, a felt-tip pen can be divided into several components, the quality characteristics of which affect the final price of the product.

Frame

The case of a felt-tip pen can differ both in shape and in the material from which it is made. Basically, the production uses 2 types of material - polypropylene and polystyrene. In addition, the material can be both primary and secondary, obtained after processing. The body of the felt-tip pen, made of virgin plastic, is extremely smooth and has a rich, bright color. The child will like to hold such a felt-tip pen in his hand, drawing will bring him joy and pleasure.

Felt pens made from recycled plastic will be cheaper, but the dull body of uneven color with patches will take away any desire to draw. Therefore, when choosing felt-tip pens, we recommend giving preference to products made from virgin polypropylene.

Another reason for this choice is the safety of polypropylene felt-tip pens for children and the increased shelf life of the product.

When a polypropylene case breaks, sharp fragments do not form and the breakage process itself is quite complicated, because. polypropylene is a very elastic material. Unlike felt-tip pens made of polystyrene, polypropylene felt-tip pens are stored 2 times longer (shelf life can reach 5-7 years). polypropylene is a non-porous material. Cheaper polystyrene has micropores through which the ink evaporates faster.

Cap

Since felt-tip pens are a primordially children's product, one of the most important requirements for it is safety of use. Of the 2 types of caps (ventilated and non-ventilated), the ventilated cap will provide the greatest security.

Special through holes ensure that even if the cap is swallowed, the child will be able to breathe, waiting for the help of adults. A non-ventilated cap is less secure, but unfortunately cheaper to manufacture.

Ink

Given the persistent love of children for drawing on the most unexpected surfaces (upholstery of furniture or car interiors, wallpaper, clothes, etc.), parents make special demands on the ink of felt-tip pens. The most popular on the market are easily washable water-based inks.

In the range of stationery companies, markers with water-based ink make up the majority of the range. You can determine the type of ink using the information on the package, which will indicate that the felt-tip pens are refilled with water-based ink or there is an “easy to wash” icon.

Kernel

all to be checked. To do this, you need to disassemble the felt-tip pen and remove the inside from it. Of course, in a retail store, the end customer will not be allowed to do this. However, this knowledge will be extremely useful when making a repeat purchase. Unfortunately, 80% of the companies on the market use a reduced diameter rod. At first glance, the difference seems insignificant, but imagine that with the same length, the diameter of the rod of one felt-tip pen is 5 mm, and the second is 6 mm. The difference in diameter is only 1 mm, and the difference in the volume of the rod is as much as 44%!!! Therefore, if you accidentally or knowingly managed to remove the rod, and you noticed that it is smaller than you expected, then you are unlikely to want to buy a product of the same brand again.

The design of the nib of the felt-tip pen is also essential. For felt-tip pens "Limpopo" and "Super-Duper" the writing knot is made in the form of a "fungus". Thus, it is impossible to “hammer” it inside the body of the felt-tip pen. Alas, the felt-tip pens of some other brands are equipped with a simple rod without any design features of highlighting the writing unit. With a certain amount of force, such a rod can be easily pressed into the felt-tip pen. This is especially important for the smallest artists who love to tap paper with a felt-tip pen.

And, finally, the most important component of the rod is the material of the stylus. In the production of felt-tip pens, it is customary to use fiber or nylon. Fiber is significantly cheaper than nylon. The nib of the Limpopo and Super Duper felt-tip pens is made of a special composition based on nylon. In the process of drawing and coloring, the material of the stylus is quite easy to determine by the squeak emitted (if it is fiber), because. Nylon is virtually silent when writing and writes much softer than fiber.

Model range

In the assortment of a modern stationery company, you can find not only standard models of felt-tip pens. Many market participants have a wide range of original offers. Magical (color-changing), flavored, stamps, hexagonal, with an increased diameter of the rod (for the smallest artists) - these are just a few options for non-standard solutions. Such felt-tip pens are not a basic school assortment, but goods for children's creativity.

Summary

So, let's summarize once again what you should pay attention to when choosing felt-tip pens:

1. The type of material from which the felt-tip pens are made. Remember that the safest and most durable are polypropylene felt-tip pens. If the packaging does not indicate the case material, then this can be easily found out by bending the felt-tip pens. If the body is easily pressurized, the material is polystyrene. If the body of the felt-tip pens is elastic when bent, this means that the material from which it is made is polypropylene.

2. Ink. To ensure the safety of children and the safety of parents' property, we recommend water-based ink. Information about this will be printed on the packaging of the goods.

3. Cap. For small children, only felt-tip pens with a vented cap should be purchased. This option is slightly more expensive, but noticeably safer than its non-ventilated counterparts.

4. Rod and writing knot. If you have samples from suppliers, pay attention to the length and diameter of the rod, the design and material of the stylus. The larger the diameter of the rod - the larger its volume, the better and more durable the felt-tip pen will be. We recommend giving preference to felt-tip pens with a fungus-shaped nib made of nylon-based materials. Such felt-tip pens write silently and softly, and their writing unit cannot be pressed into the case.

Bright, beautiful, brilliant pictures always attract the attention of children. When children create drawings on their own, this stimulates creative development and a craving for beauty. In this case, simple felt-tip pens help: today their variety and subtlety are so great that they can give odds to expensive counterparts and replace other creative tools (for example, watercolor, gouache, mixing paints).

What it is?

The birthplace of such a simple paint is Japan. In 1960, it appeared in Europe under the brand name "Flo-Master". It consisted of a body in the form of a tube with a rod inside and an ink reservoir - a tip made of felt or nylon, along which paint flows and a bright trace is obtained, leaving a pattern. Markers designed for children over three years old as they have removable parts of small sizes (a cap and a cover for protecting the drying of the paint rod).

Many markers are resuscitable when dry. This can be done depending on the composition with water, alcohol, perfumes or special compositions like a felt-tip pen.

Compound

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

• Alcoholic. The most persistent representatives of the family of felt-tip pens. Their advantage is durability. They are quite easily soiled and indelible, although they can be removed with alcohol. They have a specific smell.
• Water based . Natural composition, perfect for children's creativity. It is easy to wash off from surfaces, in order to wipe it off the baby's skin, you will have to try. Since water is a rapidly evaporating material, this property and this composition did not bypass. These markers dry quickly but can be revived with water. This quality affects the acceptable price range.

• Cretaceous. They are liquid chalk for drawing on the board. They are a great alternative to school chalk: the colors are bright, felt-tip pens do not dry the skin, do not get into the respiratory tract. They look like a pen-type text corrector, but they are easy to wash (a wet cloth is enough).
• Phosphoric. Filled with phosphorus gel, applies to all luminous markers, has a smell. Can be removed with soapy water.

Sizes and shapes

The size range and shapes of these art objects are varied and adjusted to the age and occupation of the user:

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

Triangular markers are becoming popular, as the hand does not get tired when drawing and takes a natural form for writing.

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

Kinds

Previously, there were not so many types of felt-tip pens. These were markers, text 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 a permanent and watercolor, and felt-tip pens are even magical.

Among the main varieties are the following:

• Marker pen. It has a fine writing line and can be a great replacement for a capillary pen. Today she is used in exams, as she writes clearly and brightly, and she is not afraid of greasy spots on the sheet and sweaty hands.

• Bilateral. They have several combinations: one color and different tip thicknesses (thick or thin), two colors in one felt-tip pen, or a combination of two qualities (thickness and color). Washable and bright.
• Artistic, watercolor. Favorite creators, when writing, leave a line similar to a brush stroke. Bright and colorful. The advantage over watercolors is that they do not mix and “do not flow”.

• color sets. Contain at least 6 colors or more (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. The multi-colored set is popular among artists, because they work with tonalities. For a baby, you can choose a smaller number of colors.
• Glitter, shiny. A find for creative work and children's imagination. Serve more for decoration than for writing. Contains glitter. Glitter brings colors to life.

• Permanent. Universal for dyeing paper, decorating fabrics, accessories, dishes. Indelible, long-lasting color.

It can be removed from a smooth surface with a special eraser or an alcohol wipe.

• trihedral. Special markers for correction and ease of writing. Their secret lies in repeating the shape of the hand when writing: a triangle is formed between the thumb and forefinger when writing, and this form is oriented to it. Bright and washable.

• Glowing in the dark. Neon, luminescent, ultraviolet, fluorescent - a separate type of "magic" markers. Due to their composition with non-toxic water-based inks and pigments, they have a luminous effect. In this case, the drawing is afraid of water, the glow effect disappears. They have transparency. Often used as a text highlighter.
• blown. Air, blown - interesting felt-tip pens with a lot of names. The principle of drawing them is especially interesting and unusual: with the help of blowing air, colored splashes of dye appear, forming uncomplicated drawings. Included with them are special cut-out stencils for creating patterns, and not just colored spots.

• calligraphic. These varieties have a thin tip with a straight cut. Calligraphy markers give interesting effects when drawing and have a nice color.
• Magic. Special markers that change color. By painting with one color and applying an “invisible” color on top, the result is a new shade. The property is also interesting: write something with an "invisible" color or draw and color - you will receive a secret message. To find out what color it will turn out in the end, the manufacturer made a hint (color of the cap).

• Markers-stamps. Creative and easy to create pictures by printing. May be in the form of a print or be on a wheel. Most often, stamps are located on the other side of the tip of the felt-tip pen. The stamp can be anything (letters, numbers, cartoon characters, animals). Leave-in.
• Super washable. They have a natural ink composition, therefore they are washed off absolutely any surfaces even with cold water, do not leave color on the skin. These include felt-tip pens for drawing on the body. For children - fun and entertainment, for adults - a means for creativity. Hypoallergenic.

Advantages and disadvantages

Flare pens 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 disadvantages:

• they dry quickly if the cap is not closed;
• often poorly washed off the skin;
• sometimes it is inconvenient to paint large elements (the drawing turns out to be shaded).

Firms

There are many manufacturers of felt-tip pens today. Companies that are currently the top sellers 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 felt-tip pens (from simple and cheap to special ones for children: with a short handle, stamps, sparkles). Chameleon and Magic pens have many features (for example, a felt-tip pen can change the main color with the help of auxiliary ones, be brilliant).

The market has a large number of felt-tip pens for artists. Japanese manufacturers Copic are trying for them. Markers for design and art have two working sides with different types of tips (sharp and angled). They have a wide palette of colors (214 pieces). We refuel, and not once, but for 7-8 gas stations. Such high quality also has a high price: you will have to pay more than 200 rubles for one marker.

Scope of application

There are many ways and places to use these tools for coloring and writing. There are special washable markers for the bathroom: while washing, the child can play and practice on a special water coloring. An aqua drawing pen can also be used in the bathroom. For drawing in the room, there are special rugs (empty and with images for coloring).

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

How to choose?

The main thing for children is safety. Therefore, the best choice is the naturalness and density of the compounds. Finding high-quality children's felt-tip pens is not as easy as it seems. To choose durable and safe paints, you need to consider many factors:

• Frame. The younger the child, the thicker and denser the body material should be. Children tend to practice on the floor, one accidental touching of the body with the foot leads to cracking. Sharp edges can even cut the baby. Therefore, the best material is polypropylene. It is non-toxic, does not crumble into fragments when punched. Today, triangular markers are popular for proper placement in a child's pen. A thick marker will not work for a child: it does not correspond to the natural position of the hand when writing.

For kids, you can choose short felt-tip pens that are comfortable for a child's hand. It is even better if the marker is solid or consists of tightly connected parts (marking NFS 51-205 testifies to this).

• Composition (base). Water - the safest and hypoallergenic, washable, odorless, and therefore these are good felt-tip pens for children. If the felt-tip pen is used in construction, art graphics, it is better to choose the option with an alcohol base (the color lasts for a long time and does not fade).

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

For delicate and accurate work, a plastic thin tip is suitable. For children, it is best to choose a thick tip so that it does not squash.

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

• Colors. The older the child, the greater the color range you can choose. If 6 colors are suitable for 2-3-year-old children, preschoolers will prefer 12 colors in the set. A first-grader will be satisfied with a set of 24 colors or more. For school, it is better to acquire the golden mean (12 colors). They will not distract and help you concentrate on the lesson, and not on choosing a color.

• Place of drawing. For drawing at the table, simple markers are suitable. If the kid is the owner of an easel, or you need to write on the board at school, stock up on more difficult types (permanent, super-washable, suitable for a magnetic whiteboard).

How to prolong life?

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

Refilling markers is not that difficult. First, look at what basis the coloring material is - water or alcohol (we will fill it with this). You are incredibly lucky if the lid of the felt-tip pen opens easily. Then you need to take a syringe with a needle, draw water or alcohol, then insert it into the rod. The tight lid can be removed with tongs or pry off with a knife.

If the manufacturer decided to save on manufacturing, or there is no cap, you can make a small hole in the base and introduce water into the rod.

Another way to refill is to place the nib in the refill liquid. Pour water or alcohol into a small container (lid, bowl) and dip the tip of the felt-tip pen until completely impregnated. It is important to consider that it is impossible to put different colors in the same water (they will mix). Another life hack from users is refilling ink from the printer according to the colors.

Consider the amount of liquid filled. If there is a lot of it, the drawings will look like blots. The sheet will get wet and translucent from the reverse side. Do not confuse the base and the filling agent, otherwise it will be impossible to revive the marker.

Any child sooner or later begins to ask questions that are difficult to answer. For example, why does the sun shine? Why is the dog not talking? Was I brought by a stork or found in a cabbage? Or how markers are made?

You might think that this question is so difficult? Think ordinary markers. And you start telling your child that they are made in a factory, and you will get twice as many different questions: Why? What for? How? I am sure that in five minutes you will regret it. Therefore, to avoid questions at least about felt-tip pens, show him the site Mr. Sketch.

The main idea of ​​the site is to show children and their parents how felt-tip pens are made, and give them the opportunity to participate in the process of their creation, albeit virtually. By clicking on the link below, you will go on a tour to Mr. Sketch and find yourself in his factory. All doors will open before you, and you will be able to observe the process from the inside.

To understand what fruit has to do with it, you need to know something about these felt-tip pens. If your child had such, then you probably know, and if not, then I will tell you. A feature of such felt-tip pens is a bright and saturated color, as well as delicious fruity scent. Because of this, you should choose some kind of fruit.

After choosing a fruit, you will see how an apple (or something else) begins to travel through the pipes and ends up in a music laboratory that collects smells. You will see several fruits and you will be able to click on them by turning on one of the three melodies. The fruit itself also makes a funny sound, and also releases various colors in the form of a cloud that is pulled out by a pipe.

After you collect the required amount of paint (a special counter will indicate this), you will see how it is delivered directly to the felt-tip pen and how it gets into the package.