Good old Sharpie

The name ‘Sharpie’ was originally associated with a permanent marker launched in 1964 by the Sanford Ink Company. The Sharpie Fine Point black marker became the first pen-style permanent marker. It wrote on almost any surface from glass, wood and stone, to plastic, metal and, of course, paper. Autograph seekers and celebrity fans used Sharpie markers on everything from posters and trading cards to balls and jerseys. It shortly became the best-selling marker in the world!

Since the original black Sharpie, the colour palette has expanded significantly to include 49 colours including: Aqua, Berry, Turquoise and Lime. Also, new innovations were introduced like a button activated retractable tip instead of a cap. By the end of 2002, over 200 million Sharpie markers have been produced and sold worldwide!

Marketing

In 2002 Sharpie got involved in sports marketing and became a sponsor of PGA golfers Arnold Palmer, David Toms, Chad Campbell and Gary Player. It also sponsored the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, Sharpie 500, as well as NASCAR NEXTEL Cup driver Kurt Busch. David Beckham also appeared in one of Sharpie’s commercials, signing autographs and trying to steal the marker. In recent years, Sharpie ads followed the slogan ‘Write Out Loud’ depicting people using Sharpies as a form of expression in unlucky or awkward situations, such as to touch up a car and highlighting words in a book to notify a male student that his fly was open.

How to remove Sharpie from surfaces?

There are many speculations as to how to remove Sharpie marker. Since the ink is based on several types of alcohol, it can be removed from almost all surfaces using denatured alcohol. On some surfaces, the ink can be removed by colouring over the ink with a dry erase marker and then removing both inks with a dry cloth. Steam cleaning has also proved effective, as have rubber erasers. Although Sharpie is not meant for skin, it is not harmful as it generally will not cause an immediate or obvious health reaction. The only time that the ink from the sharpie marker would have any impact on skin would be if the person had an allergy to the type of alcohol marker contained. There are many products reported to be able to remove Sharpie ink from the skin, such as alcohol, nail polish remover, facial cleaning pads, toothpaste, deodorant, tabasco sauce or any vinegar based liquid. However, the ink wears off on its own within approximately two days as the skin cells are constantly being shed.

Today, Sharpie claims to stand for far more than just markers. The brand portrays itself as a tool used for self-expression. It continues coming up with innovative ways to attract people’s interest.

Did you know...?

In 2009 during Supercar Weekend in Palm Beach Florida all automotive enthusiast were amazed to see a Sharpie Lamborghini Gallardo, Lamborghini Gallardo with a Sharpie pen paint job. The art work was done by Jona Cerwinske using sharpie markers on the white paint.

Singer/Songwriter Kimya Dawson mentions Sharpie in the lyrics of her song 'Loose Lips', featured in the soundtrack of Oscar-winning Juno.

In the movie Scott Pilgrim vs. the World, Scott (Michael Cera) wears a t-shirt with the Sharpie logo in a few scenes.

The Sharpie Touchdown - considered a new innovative way to celebrate touchdowns: 

During a National Football League game against in 2002, former San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Terrell Owens pulled a black Sharpie marker out of his sock, signed the football he caught to score a touchdown and passed it to his financial adviser!

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