Markers have come a long way since New Yorker Sidney Rosenthal’s invention in the 50’s. With a wide range now available for use on just about anything in the home, office or studio, from something as simple as labelling a few CD’s to art & graphic work there’s a marker for everyone.
The Staedtler Lumocolor 318 Permanent Marker is available in a choice of 8 colours including bright yellow, orange & violet along with a black & brown which are lightfast so no need to worry about your favourite sketch fading if left by the window. Should you need a marker for outdoor use the black ink is also weatherproof.
The Lumocolor has been around for over 60 years & some of its benefits include
- Suited for use with overhead projectors
- Smudge-proof
- Waterproof
- Quick drying – well suited to left handers
- Low odour ink which is xylene free
- Airplane safe
- Dry safe ink (marker can be left uncapped for days without drying out)
These markers can easily be refilled by inserting the tip of the marker in the top of a Lumocolor refill station bottle, they will attract ink to a maximum level making it impossible to overfill. Once refilled Staedler say the marker will last for 3 to 4 hours but I’ve not been able to test this.
This Lumocolor 318 has a fine tip that writes around a 0.6mm line, I found it comfortable to hold & whilst my use was confined to writing I can confirm it lived up to the smudge-proof & waterproof claims. Other reviewers that have undertaken more artistic pursuits say the marker works well for handmade animation on celluloid & they are transparent enough to project the colour brightly as opposed to opaque alternatives that block light & appear black.
