Considering the pros and cons of choosing between oil-based and water-based markers, you would better consider points such as drying time, colour intensity or lightness and smudge resistance. Markers are generally categorized as either permanent (living), semi-permanent (living), or temporary (living). Their properties will be elaborated in the following sections. Knowing these differences will let you discern whether the kind of marker you'll use fits your project and artistic style well.
Performance on Different Surfaces
Both
oil-based vs water-based paint-markers have the same properties on different surfaces, be it over oily or watery offering a unique feature. Let's explore how each type of marker performs on different surfaces:
Paper: Each oil-based and water-based pen delivers the colours smoothly and vividly on the paper's surface. Despite that, water-based markers can sometimes spread throughout the paper, and oil-based markers provide more precise application.
Canvas: Oil-based markers are a good choice for canvas paintings because once applied, the colours become substantial and durable; they last a long time. Older water-based markers can be employed on the canvases; just like that, you must apply a few shorter-term solutions to preserve the artwork.
Glass: The oil- and water-based markers are light, luminous, and visible since they bond well with glass surfaces, providing opaque and vibrant colours. An oil-based marker, although it can smudge, is also easier to remove than a water-based marker.
Metal: The oil-based markers are the best alternatives for metallic applications as they give the surface a durable and permanent finish. Water-based markers on metal may also be used, but additional sealing or protection against fading and smudging should be made to avoid fading or smudging.
Plastic: Oil and water can be used to mark plastic surfaces. Nonetheless, water-based markers flatly require an additional layer of sealing or protection to preserve their sustainability and durability within the environment.
How each marker type will perform may depend upon the prototype and the surface, respectively. It's advisable to prioritize the markers' objective and special features when purchasing suitable ones for your artwork.
The cumulative factors affecting drying time and smear resistance are namely:
An important contrast between oil-based and water-based makers is their drying time and smudge resistance. Let's discuss these factors and get an overall insight into the situations where each marker will be more useful.
Oil-based markers usually have a faster dry time than water-based markers. They have the benefit of allowing artists to work well with the help of the fact that the paint drying is to be completed on time. On that note, aqueous-based makers may demand a drying period, sometimes prolonged with layers or layers of application.
This feature includes smudge resistance of oul-based paint markers, which are more likely to be smear-free once dried up. This ensures they are proper for projects that may be touched or ostentatiously grabbed, such as windows, storefronts, displays or outdoor artwork. Water-paint markers also habitually smear more, especially if they lose water or are not sealed well.
Colour Brilliance and Fading
One more vital thing to notice when comparing oil-based and water-based markers is that their colour depth and resistance to fading are quite important.
The major advantage of oil-based markers over water-based markers is that they create more vibrant, deep, lasting marks. They give the surface a metallic or glossy shine, which makes such projects chosen for their esthetic qualities beautiful and shiny.
Compared to the others, these markers, like fade-resistant ones, will promise such artwork to be vibrant and detailed in the long term.
Water-based markers work excellently for recruitment because they are images and look like watercolour paints. This initially has the more vibrant colours, but water-based markers are more likely to fade over time with exposure to sunlight or moisture. Colour fading along the artefact edges might be possible; therefore, sealing or conservation might be needed to prevent such discolouration.
Interplaying desirous colour saturation and the durability of the artwork with oil and water-based markers as the choice puts a question on the project.
Safety and Environmental Considerations
Choosing between oil-based and water-based for the marker is important to ponder their safety and environmental consequences.
Oils-based markers may contain higher toxicity levels than water-based markers, as they are oil-soluble. Thus, if inhaled, they might cause contamination in the lungs. The well-labelled storage of these markers and their use in areas of good ventilation with very minimal exposure periods to the fumes are very important. The proper way of captioning the markers based on oil is also needed to minimize their environmental impact.
Water-based markers are mainly recognized for two aspects: they are safer and environmentally friendly. They do not release strong odours and do not need to ensure proper after-cleaning.
Always follow manufacturer usage instructions and safety regulations with an environment-oriented mind when purchasing paint markers, and when choosing the appropriate one for your projects, think of how you will affect nature.
Toxicity level in both
The toxicity levels, in general, would be higher in oil markers due to organic solvents. This creates tools known as solvents, which are small amounts of alcohol used to dissolve the pigments and make the paint flow much easier.
The ink of the marker pens should be based on oil so there will be less vapour processing in the air. If long-term or continuous exposure and confined spaces are involved, wearing a mask or taking frequent breaks to allow the air to circulate is strongly advised.
However, because of the lower quantities of volatile solvents found in liquid-based markers, they are commonly viewed as safer than others. They launch fewer fumes and have a low probability of causing more respiratory problems. However, even though they are cautious using these markers, taking responsibility and avoiding the intake or long skin contact time is still crucial.
Pay attention to the manufacturer's safety guides, and steer clear from using the paint marker without the right usage and disposal directives.