Fun Facts about Sharpie!

In 1857, Frederick W. Redington and William H. Sanford, Jr. founded Sanford Manufacturing Company in Worcester, Massachusetts. The company focused on producing and selling ink and glue. It wasn’t until 1964 that Sanford turned its focus to the emerging marker business and introduced the Sharpie marker.

The Sharpie Fine Point black marker became the first pen-style permanent marker. It writes on almost any surface from glass, wood, and stone, to plastic, metal, and, of course, paper. The popularity of Sharpie markers continued to soar in the 1990s due in part to the $5 billion memorabilia industry. Autograph seekers and celebrities alike used Sharpie markers on everything from posters and trading cards to balls and jerseys.

What’s in a Sharpie Marker?

Now that we’ve covered the history, let's cover what makes them permanent. Markers are made up of three substances: colorant, resin, and solvent. The colorant is the die or pigment, while the resin makes the permanent marker permanent. Resin is a sticky glue-like substance that ensures that the marks actually stay on the paper. Finally, the solvent is what allows the colorant and resin to combine and exist in the sponge inside the marker. The solvent is actually what makes sure the resin isn’t too sticky. Now, regular markers also have resin in them because the ink still has to stick to the paper, but the resin they use dissolves in water unlike the resin used in permanent markers. Permanent marker resin is actually alcohol-based so it can’t be removed with water but it can be removed with rubbing alcohol which we happen to carry if need be.

Our Selection

Here at Gregg Distributors, we carry multiple types of sharpies so you’re sure to find one that will be perfect for your specific application.

Magnum Sharpie

Our top seller is the Magnum Sharpie. This marker features a huge felt chisel tip for extra wide lines on almost any type of material. It would be perfect for industrial applications. It marks wet and oily surfaces and features an aluminum barrel that is sure to hold up to abuse on the job site.

King Size Sharpie

If you are looking for a marker that’s just as hardy as the magnum sharpie but half the size, the King Size Sharpie may be a good option for you. It works on both wet and oily surfaces and features an aluminum barrel just like the magnum. The only difference is the size of the chisel tip.

Sharpie Professional

The last larger-scale sharpie that we carry is the Sharpie Professional. This one is a bit smaller than the King Size Sharpie we previously discussed. Although smaller in size, it is just as prepared for big jobs and it features a stronger tip that lasts up to 50% longer than the standard fine tip sharpie. And it is still able to remain Permanent on wet and oily surfaces. The Professional Sharpie also features an oval-shaped barrel designed to withstand dents and prevent rolling around on a flat surface.

Standard Fine Tip (Multi-Colour) Sharpie

Not only do we carry the larger ranges of Sharpies, we also sell the Standard Fine Tip Sharpie which is the original marker you all know and love. The sharpie fine tip is permanent on most surfaces and is also fade and water-resistant. It is available in multiple colors like black, red, green, and blue, just to name a few. You have the option of buying these markers individually or in a variety pack of 8 colours.

Retractable Sharpie

Sharpie has also created the Retractable Sharpie for those of you who always seem to have your hands full. This bad boy combines everything you know and loves about a sharpie but allows one-handed operation. No lid means you have nothing to lose or misplace and you don’t have to worry about your tip drying out because it features a safety seal valve keeping your sharpie moist for longer.

Speaking of dried-out sharpies, did you know that you can dip the tip of the sharpie in rubbing alcoholto revitalize it?

Retractable Sharpie

The final sharpie product we’ll be touching on is the Twin Tip Sharpie. This sharpie increases functionality as it’s a fine line and chisel tip marker all in one. One side of the marker is the chisel tip and on the other side is the fine tip. You’ll never have to worry about carrying two markers around for your specific jobs because this one does it all!

Before we finish here is a fun sharpie fact that you can use to impress your work buds! Did you know that many celebrities have personalized sharpies for autograph signing? If you have any other questions, feel free to contact us here, and make sure to subscribe to our email list and give us a follow on social media so you can keep up to date with our latest offers, flyers, new products, and giveaways here at Gregg Distributors!