How Does Dry Erase Work?

 

Anyone who has ever used a chalkboard can tell you what a relief it is that dry erase markers have overtaken the market. There’s no dust, little mess, and none of that horrendous sound. However, have you ever wondered how dry erase markers and boards actually work? Probably not, but it may just drive you crazy not knowing now that you’re thinking about it. 

How Does Dry Erase Work?

To put your brain at ease, let’s talk about the chemistry that makes dry erase markers work the way they do. First, what’s in a dry erase marker.

The Ingredients

The liquid coming through the felt tip of your dry erase marker contains four primary components.

1. A fast-drying solvent
2. A pigment for color
3. A release agent 
4. A resin

What the Ingredients Do

The pigment and the resin work together to create the ink you see when you use a dry erase marker. The pigment creates the color, and the resin helps to make sure that color is evenly concentrated throughout the ink. 

The solvent helps to keep all of the ingredients in a liquid state while inside the marker. For a dry erase marker it is really important for the solvent to be “fast-drying.” That means that it quickly evaporates when the ink is exposed to air during use. This prevents smudging and helps to separate the releasing agent from the colored layer of ink. 

When this evaporation occurs, the release agent clings to the static surface of your typical dry erase board. It acts as a barrier between the surface and the ink to prevent staining. This release agent is typically made with an oily component to make it even easier to wipe away. As the colored portion of the ink never actually touches the board, you don’t have to worry about ghosting as long as you’re using the right markers, a high-quality dry erase surface, and a reasonably clean eraser. 

Finding the Right Dry Erase Surface

Although a dry erase board is perfectly fine for occasional use, most businesses that host regular meetings or creative gatherings would benefit more from using a dry erase wall film. These specially-designed films work just as well as high-quality dry erase boards without being a limited eyesore in your office environment. 

There is virtually no limit to dry-erase wall film. It can take up an entire wall if you wish, and it doesn’t have to just be a plain white square. Thanks to the innovation of Metwest, your work wall covering can sport your branding, a mural, or virtually any other design you can conceive of. Your imagination sets the only real limits. 

Making Use of Dry Erase Wall Film

Dry erase wall film is a unique feature that can make your office environment stand out. For optimal usage, employers can use this space as a creative or social outlet for employees when it isn’t being actively used in dedicated collaborative efforts. 

Outfitting each employee station with a set of dry erase markers is a great way to get this started. However, you may want to think about using a security camera to make sure employee doodles stay office-friendly. With those common-sense protections in place, your dry erase wall has the opportunity to become an iconic section of your office environment. 

Maintaining Dry Erase Wall Film

Dry erase wall film doesn’t take any more maintenance than your typical whiteboard. It may be a bigger surface, but all it takes is a microfiber towel tied over the end of a flat floor mop to make cleaning easy. With a little maintenance, you can be sure that your dry erase wall will remain one of the most memorable areas of your office for years to come.