Photos: Testing Pens on Plant Labels

[ysabetwordsmith]

I know there are a bunch of pen / ink / paint fans here. I figure some of you may be using them for practical labels or other recordkeeping in addition to arts and crafts.


I'm doing an experiment to see which of three pens will prove most durable for labels outdoors: the old Sharpie permanent marker (fine point), the new Sharpie oil paint pen (fine point), and the new Craft Smart paint pen (broad point). I have posted additional photos of the initial setup here. I plant to take and post more photos periodically to show whatever weathering happens.




If anyone else uses markers, paint pens, etc. for outdoor labels, I'd be interested in hearing about what you use.

Comments

[spiralicious]

I'm interested in seeing how this plays out. I have never gotten any kind of marker to stay on my plant labels (including old Sharpie permanent markers).

For context, I am in the PNW on the coast. It is always wet here. I have tried multiple types of permanent marker (Bic's Shapie knock off, Staples' Shapie knock off, and Sharpie are the ones I remember for sure) on both plastic plant labels and wood and the writing is always completely gone in less than a week.

Thoughts

[ysabetwordsmith]

>> I'm interested in seeing how this plays out. I have never gotten any kind of marker to stay on my plant labels (including old Sharpie permanent markers).<<

I'll try to take more pictures and share them over time.

>> For context, I am in the PNW on the coast. It is always wet here.<<

Beautiful territory though.

>> I have tried multiple types of permanent marker (Bic's Shapie knock off, Staples' Shapie knock off, and Sharpie are the ones I remember for sure) on both plastic plant labels and wood and the writing is always completely gone in less than a week.<<

Yikes. O_O Have you tried covering it with tape? That's an option I've considered, but I'm hoping a paint pen will work better.

Okay wait, wood labels. Look for anything with earth pigments. Ochres are as permanent as it gets. Once they get on something porous, they will not come off and don't fade because they are minerals. Like for 50,000 years.

I know earth pigments are available as watercolors and powders. If you can find powder at a craft store or online, you can mix your own paint or ink. I suggest using a brush or dip pen because pigment is a bitch to get out of a fountain pen.

Alternatively, have you tried porch paint? Nail polish? The nail polish sized bottles of car touchup paint? Main drawback with those is that they don't write very small, but you might be able to get more legible results with a smaller brush or a toothpick.

Just covering the seed packet in tape is iffy at best. Some are made with relatively lightfast inks, others disappear within a few weeks. But some inks will last decently if protected from water.

Re: Thoughts

[spiralicious]

Beautiful territory though. - It is that indeed and luckily, I like the rain. It makes managing the 73+ inches of rain we get a year easier.

Have you tried covering it with tape?

- I haven't, but it's a good idea to try on the plastic stakes.

Look for anything with earth pigments. Ochres are as permanent as it gets. - That is a great idea for wood. I feel a little silly for not thinking of it, considering I'm pretty sure I still have some.

Nail polish - I know for a fact this will withstand the weather, I just really suck at doing detailed work (like writing) with it. We do frequently use it for weather proofing things and color coding things. Which just gave me the thought of putting clear polish over the writing, which I haven't tried either.

Re: Thoughts

[ysabetwordsmith]

>> Nail polish - I know for a fact this will withstand the weather,<<

Useful to know, thanks. My main concern is that it's likely to be brittle, thus more useful on labels that don't bend. But there might be another nail coat that would be more flexible.

>> I just really suck at doing detailed work (like writing) with it. <<

What about a stamp? A bit more work to set up but should make clear letters.

>>We do frequently use it for weather proofing things and color coding things. Which just gave me the thought of putting clear polish over the writing, which I haven't tried either.<<

Yeah, that's a thought. I'll have to keep that in mind.