Introduction
Have you ever wondered how to make markers? It looks ordinary, but, from a pile of raw materials to a pen that can write smoothly, it has gone through many “magical” steps. Today, I will take you into the “birth story” of the marker pen to see what secrets are hidden behind this small pen. Believe me, after reading it, the next time you use the marker pen, you will find it more interesting than before!
what are markers made of?
A marker pen may look simple, but every part of it is not simple. The pen barrel, pen cap, and ink are all carefully made of specific materials. Each material needs to be carefully selected and designed to ensure the quality and performance of the final product. Let’s take a look at what materials a marker pen is made of.
Pen body material
Marker pens’ bodies are usually made of plastic particles such as polypropylene (PP) or acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymer (ABS), these materials have good toughness, wear resistance and chemical resistance, ensuring the pen’s durability.
Pen tip material
Pen tips are mainly made of fiber or plastic. Fiber pen tips usually use nylon or polyester fibers, which have good ink absorption and writing smoothness; plastic pen tips are mostly used for fine writing pens with higher precision.
Inks
Marker inks are mainly composed of pigments, dyes, resins, solvents, preservatives, and other additives.
Solvents are usually alcohols, such as 1-propanol, 1-butanol, or cresol. Dyes are water-soluble pigments with bright colors. Pigments are particles that are insoluble in water and have better light resistance and water resistance. Resins are used to fix pigments and enhance the adhesion and durability of inks. Preservatives can prevent ink from deteriorating or breeding bacteria.
how to make markers?
Okay, now we know what markers are made of, but how do these raw materials become a pen? This process is not as simple as building blocks, it is more like a precise “relay race”. From the plastic particles to the pen barrel, to the ink being accurately poured in, each step requires precise operation. Next, let’s take a look at how to make markers step by step.
1.Pen barrel and cap molding
Heating and melting: Plastic pellets are fed into the injection molding machine and melted into a liquid after being heated to a high temperature.
Injection into the mold: The melted plastic is injected into the pen barrel and pen cap molds under high pressure.
Cooling and shaping: After being injected into the mold, the plastic cools rapidly and solidifies into the shape of the pen barrel and pen cap.
2.Insert the sponge into the pen barrel
- Put the cut round sponge into the pen holder. The function of the sponge is to store ink and transport the ink evenly to the pen tip through capillary action, ensuring smooth and even ink flow when writing or drawing.
3.Ink filling
- Automatic filling: Ink is injected into the pen barrel through an automatic filling machine. This machine is very smart and can accurately control the amount of ink injected into each pen, neither too much to cause ink leakage nor too little to cause ink shortage.
Sealing: After the ink is injected, the opening of the pen barrel will be sealed to prevent the ink from evaporating or leaking.
4.Assembly
Install the nib: The nib is carefully inserted into the pen barrel to ensure that it fits perfectly with the contact surface of the ink.
- Put on the cap: Finally, the pen cap is put on to prevent the nib from drying out or being contaminated.
5.Testing
Writing test: Randomly select a certain number of pens for the writing test to ensure smooth ink flow and uniform color.
Ink leakage test: Turn the pen upside down or shake it to check whether there is ink leakage.
Drop test: Simulate the situation where the pen falls from a certain height to ensure that the pen barrel and pen head will not be easily damaged.
Appearance inspection: Check whether the pen barrel and pen cap have scratches, bubbles or other defects.
6.Packaging
Boxed or bagged: According to customer needs, the markers will be packed in boxes or plastic bags, usually 12 or 24 per box.
- Packing: Finally, the packaged markers will be packed into cartons and prepared for shipment to various places.
how to make your own markers?
Many people may be curious about making their markers. Making markers by yourself is not only a very interesting thing, but also allows you to better understand how it works. Although factory-produced markers require precision equipment, we can also make a “mini version” of markers at home with simple materials.
If you are interested in the production process, you can watch this video, which shows in detail how to make a simple marker with common materials at home. From preparing materials to assembling, the whole process is simple and easy to understand, suitable for friends of all ages to try. Come and make your markers!
FAQ
Why are marker pen barrels usually made of plastic?
Because plastic is light, durable, low-cost, and easy to shape. Plastic barrels are not only shatterproof, but can also be quickly produced through injection molding, making them suitable for large-scale manufacturing. In addition, plastic can also adjust color and texture according to needs to meet different design requirements.
What to do if the ink of the marker dries up?
For water-based markers, you can drop a few drops of water on the pen tip and let it sit for a while.
For alcohol-based markers, you can drop a few drops of alcohol (such as medical alcohol) on the pen tip to help dissolve the dried ink.
However, these methods can only provide temporary relief. It is best to replace the pen tip or refill the ink in time.
Is the production process of markers environmentally friendly?
Traditional marker production may use some non-degradable plastics and chemical solvents, which have a certain impact on the environment. However, more and more brands are now using environmentally friendly materials, such as degradable plastics, plant-based inks, etc. to reduce the burden on the environment.
For example, the Staedtler Lumocolor Non-Permanent Pen’s shell is made of 97% recycled plastic, and the Pilot V Board Master Whiteboard Marker contains 91% recycled materials. If you want to learn more about these environmentally friendly markers, you can click on 7 Prominent Types Of Marker Pens In 2025.
Can the ink of a marker be replaced?
Some markers have replaceable ink or nibs. You can buy special refills and refill them through the ink filling port at the end of the pen or by removing the nib. However, most ordinary markers are disposable and need to be replaced with new pens when the ink runs out.
Is marker ink safe?
Most marker inks are safe, especially water-based inks, which are usually non-toxic and easy to clean, suitable for children. However, alcohol-based inks and oil-based inks may contain some volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which may have health effects if inhaled for a long time. Therefore, when using such markers, it is recommended to use them in a well-ventilated environment and avoid direct contact with the skin or accidental ingestion.
What can markers be used for?
Markers have a wide range of uses:
Writing: Suitable for writing on surfaces such as paper and whiteboards.
Drawing: Commonly used for illustrations, comics, design sketches, etc.
Marking: Marking on materials such as packaging, labels, and fabrics.
Decoration: Used for DIY handicrafts, greeting cards, etc.
Conclusion
Now you should have a clear understanding of how to make markers! You see, a small marker goes through so many complicated steps from raw materials to finished products. It is not just a tool, but a small miracle. I hope this article can help you understand markers better and make you appreciate and cherish them more when using them!
One Response
Making your own markers can be used as a creative craft activity, which must be fun!