Whiteboard vs permanent markers: do not grab the wrong one

Grabbing a permanent marker when you meant to grab a whiteboard marker is a common and annoying mistake. Here is how to tell them apart, what to do if it happens, and which brands to keep in which drawer.

The key difference

A whiteboard marker is designed to be erased. The ink sits on the surface of the whiteboard rather than bonding to it, which means a dry eraser can lift it cleanly. This works because the ink contains a non-polar solvent and a release agent that prevents it from sticking permanently.

A permanent marker uses a different solvent system that bonds the dye to the surface it contacts. On a whiteboard, this means the ink soaks into the microscopic texture of the surface and cannot be lifted by a dry eraser. On paper, cardboard, plastic and most other surfaces, the bond is intentional and is what makes permanent markers useful.

How to tell them apart

Most whiteboard markers have the word "whiteboard" or "dry erase" printed on them. They are often sold with a slightly different body shape or colour scheme compared to permanent markers from the same brand. Artline, for example, sells the Artline 541T whiteboard marker and the Artline 70 permanent marker as separate products with distinct packaging. Sharpie whiteboard markers have a different label and body to the standard Sharpie permanent marker range.

The simplest check: look for "whiteboard" or "dry erase" on the barrel before you write on the board. If you cannot see it, do not assume. Keep your whiteboard markers and permanent markers in separate containers or drawers, and label the containers. This removes the guesswork entirely.

What to do if you write on a whiteboard with a permanent marker

The first thing to try is writing over the permanent marker lines with a whiteboard marker, then erasing immediately while the whiteboard marker ink is still wet. The solvent in the whiteboard marker can reactivate and lift the permanent marker beneath it. This does not always work completely but often removes most of the mark. For stubborn permanent marker on a whiteboard, isopropyl alcohol on a cloth is the most reliable solution in an office or classroom setting. Methylated spirits also work in most cases.

Which brands to buy

For whiteboard markers, Artline 541T and the Pilot 200 series are reliable, widely available and priced reasonably for office and classroom use. For permanent markers, the Artline 70 and Sharpie fine-tip are the two most common choices in Australia. Keep them clearly separated and labelled, and the mix-up problem goes away.