Fabric markers are a great tool when it comes to drawing designs on fabric.
They are a great way to make thin and precise lines without having to try to use fabric paint and a brush.
Fabric markers are ideally used for fabric, but this is not the only thing that they can be used for, and you can actually use them on multiple surfaces if you would like.
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Do People Typically Use Fabric Markers on Paper and Glass?
Typically, when people purchase fabric markers, they use them on fabric as they are intended.
This is what they are designed for, and this is what they are best used for.
It doesn’t mean that they can’t be used for any other surfaces if you want to.
Paper:
Fabric markers, even though they are made to work with fabric, can also be used on paper.
Using fabric markers on paper can help to avoid the “overlapping” look that you can get from certain types of markers.
If you are looking at using fabric markers on paper, you will want to make sure that they do not require heat to set. If your markers require heat to set, then you will have to iron your fabric when they ink dries.
Since this cannot be done on a piece of paper, you might not get the effect that you might want.
However, since you are not likely to wash your piece of paper, this might not be as big of an issue as it would be on fabric that is intended to go through the wash.
There are plenty of markers that are made to be used on paper, that you do not need to use fabric markers if you don’t want to, and you should have no shortage of colors to choose from.
Glass:
Paint markers are the best markers to use when you are working with a glass surface.
If you are trying to use fabric markers, you will want to make sure they are paint or oil-based if you intend to draw on a glass surface.
Permanent markers are also a good choice when you are working with glass.
You can even find markers that are labeled to work with glass specifically.
What Are the Different Types of Fabric Markers?
There are plenty of different types of fabric markers that you can choose from.
These types include:
- Gel Based Markers: similar to gel pens you might use in notebooks, the difference is the permanent ink that is in the gel.
- Ink Based Markers: similar to permanent markers, and the main component is the ink inside.
- Paint Based Markers: these are the hardest to use but can create great results. The paint flows and can be runny, so you have to be careful when working with them.
Depending on what you intend to use the markers for, this should help to inform your choice in what type to buy.
What Other Materials Can Fabric Markers be Used On?
Depending on what type of marker base you get, you can use them on multiple types of surfaces.
These surfaces include fabric, canvas, glass, wood, and a lot of other surfaces.
Just make sure that before you try to use your fabric markers on a surface, you check their base, and if that base would be compatible with the surface, you intend to put it on.
Can Marks from Fabric Markers be Removed From Paper?
It is much harder to remove fabric marker from paper than it is to remove it from fabric, but it is not impossible even though it is difficult.
Like fabric, the paper is a porous surface that soaks in paint and marker.
There are a few different types of substances that you can use to try to get rid of the marker from paper.
These include:
Nail Polish Remover:
If you are trying to remove marker from paper, you should use nail polish remover before you try anything else.
To do this, you will want to soak a cotton swab with the nail polish remover and dab a few drops on the paper where the ink is that you want to remove. Make sure that you do not saturate the paper.
Wait for the nail polish remover, dissipates the ink, and then soak up the remover with a dry paper towel or cloth.
Repeat this process until you have gotten rid of all the ink.
Hairspray:
Using cheap hairspray with high alcohol content is another way to potentially get marker out of paper.
To use a hairspray to remove ink, you will want to lay a paper towel underneath your paper, spray the stain with the hairspray, and allow it to sit for several minutes.
Then you will want to dab the surface with a dampened cloth and repeat until all the ink is removed.
Toothpaste:
Toothpaste might not seem like it would be an ink remover, but it can help remove stains due to the bleaching agents it contains.
If you choose to use toothpaste, you will need to be careful because toothpaste can be abrasive and ruin your paper.
Using toothpaste works better on thicker paper types that are not as easily torn.
To use toothpaste, you will just apply the toothpaste to a damp cloth and rub it on the stain until it starts to pick up and remove the ink.
What Are the Best Temporary Markers to be Used on Paper and Glass?
There are not a lot of markers that are made to be temporarily used on paper, but there are many options that you can use when it comes to glass that will be easily wiped off.
Some ideal temporary markers that work great for glass include:
- Dry erase markers: don’t use this on anything that you intend to eat off of.
- Wet erase markers: these are similar to dry erase but require more work to rub off.
- Chalk markers: this is a great temporary solution to writing on multiple surface types.
- Washable markers: because these are water-based, you can easily get the marks off when needed.
There are plenty of choices that you can use whether you need a permanent solution to writing on glass, or a more temporary one.
Fabric markers fall under both of these categories depending on what type of fabric marker you buy. When starting a project, you will want to make sure you determine what your needs are and make sure that you buy the best marker that fits the job.
If that marker does not happen to be a fabric marker, there are plenty of other choices that you have no matter what you are trying to do.