Which is Better for Writing on Chalkboard Film?
There’s nothing wrong with using chalk to write on chalkboard films. We designed our ChalkTalk™ film with chalk in mind. Nevertheless, I believe that the new liquid chalk markers, such as the Chalk Ink® brand of markers, are much better suited for writing on our chalkboard film.
The first in a number of advantages is that liquid chalk markers are not messy. They don’t produce chalk dust. The Chalk Ink® markers remove cleanly, easily with no ghosting, if you use markers, which are compatible with the writing surface.
The final advantage of Chalk Ink® markers is the boldness of their colors. If you are using ChalkTalk™ film in a commercial application, such as for a restaurant menu board, the colors of the liquid markers are much more vibrant and aesthetically appealing than regular chalk.
The colors of liquid chalk ink markers are much more vibrant than conventional chalk. While the ink is still wet, you can blend multiple colors.
Be careful of which brand of marker that you buy. There are chalk ink markers and then there are Chalk Ink® Markers. They are not all the same. And not all are compatible with our ChalkTalk™ film. Some types of generic chalk ink markers, such as the Pentel markers, utilize a solvent-based ink, which do not remove cleanly from RTape’s ChalkTalk™ chalkboard film.
The Chalk Ink® product line is comprised of a number of different types of markers, each of which has its own unique properties. These four types of ChalkTalk® products are: Dry Erase Design, Wet Wipe Design, Artista Pro Water Proof Style and the Permanent Design.
Of this brand of products, two types work especially well with RTape’s ChalkTalk™ chalkboard film. The Dry Erase Design is very similar to regular chalk. You can write on Chalk Talk™ just as you would write with chalk. And just like regular chalk, when it comes time to remove the writing, just wipe the surface clean with an eraser or a rag. This type of marker does not require water for removal. The Dry Erase Design can also be used to write on the EZErase™ dry erase vinyl.
The Wet Wipe Design type of marker uses a water-based ink. Once the ink has dried on the surface of ChalkTalk™, the ink resists smearing. To clean the ink from the surface of ChalkTalk™, simply wipe the ink with a damp rag. The ink should come off easily and with no ghosting residue.
Chalk Ink® also makes a water-proof Chalk Ink® marker called the “Artista Pro Water Proof Style”. You cannot remove the ink with water. Instead, you must clean the ChalkTalk™ surface with an ammonia-based cleaner, such as Windex.
A fourth type of Chalk Ink® marker has a permanent ink. If you draw on ChalkTalk™ with the Permanent Model, what you see is what you get. You will not be able to remove the image, hence the designation as “Permanent”.
At this time we are testing the compatibility of other markers with the RTape ChalkTalk™ product. We believe that other water-based liquid chalk markers are likely on the market and will perform acceptably. As we continue our investigations and make our determinations and recommendations, we will publish the results.
About ChalkTalk™. RTape’s ChalkTalk™ is non-vinyl chalkboard film. Originally, we developed the product for home use. So it had to be child safe and user-friendly. A low initial tack adhesive makes ChalkTalk™ easy to apply, even for an unexperienced installer. Just peel and stick. The thicker 6.5 mil film is much easier to handle than flimsy vinyl films. It applies easily to sign substrates, conference walls and kitchen cabinets.
Unlike other chalkboard films, ChalkTalk™ is also easy and safe to remove. Just peel it off the surface. It removes with no damage to the substrate and no messy adhesive residue. That means you don’t need to mess with toxic chemical removers.
ChalkTalk™ is also safe enough for children to handle. It contains no harmful levels of phthalate plasticizers, no lead and no carcinogens. And it’s even safe for indirect food contact. Tested by an independent lab, ChalkTalk™ complies with California’s Prop 65 and federal CPSIA regulations. The product is available through RTape’s distributor network in 24” x 10 yd rolls; 24” x 50 yd rolls; 48” x 10 yd and 48” x 50 yd rolls.
