technical data

version 2, september 2025

magic tag engineering markers

packaging & availability

Magic Tag Engineering Markers are supplied in a box containing three markers: two fine-tipped markers in Perma Black and one medium-tipped marker in Scarlet Red.

physical description

MagicTag Engineering’s PermaBlack is a 1 mm fine-tipped porous-tip instrument, while the Scarlet Red is a medium-tipped red instrument. Both are engineered for durable, high-contrast labeling in demanding technical environments, including laboratories, industrial facilities, wherehouses, and specialized applications.

Each marker incorporates a porous polymer nanostructured nib, bakelite polymer components, and a durable aluminum barrel housing a stainless-steel mixing ball and 5 mL of ink. The inks are oil-based, formulated with carbon black (PermaBlack) or red pigments (Scarlet Red), blended with plant oils and alcohol-based solvents, at pH 6.5–7. The markers are designed for reliable performance under extreme conditions. The inks resist ethanol, isopropanol, acids, alkalis, bleach, peroxide, UV light, heat (up to 200 °C), and cold (down to –200 °C).

The porous nibs meter ink through capillary action, producing solid, uniform strokes with consistent line density, slight edge feathering, blunt initial and terminal strokes, and heavier deposition under pressure. The stainless-steel mixing ball maintains ink homogeneity after storage, re-equilibrates the dispersion network, and restores smooth capillary flow.

cleaning and maintenance

To ensure optimal performance:

  • Regularly wipe the cap and barrel collar with a clean rag to maintain a proper seal.

  • If the cap is difficult to open or close, clean the barrel to remove any ink residue.

  • Routine cleaning prevents ink buildup and extends marker life.

The ink is oil-based and can be cleaned with turpentine, hexane, aliphatic hydrocarbons, or oils.

major attributes

  • Permanent & Long-Lasting Marks: Produces fade-resistant marks that withstand outdoor exposure, UV light, and harsh conditions for enduring visibility.

  • Professional-Grade Durability: Resists harsh chemicals (acids, alkalis, bleach, peroxide, alcohol) and extreme temperatures (heat, cold), ensuring reliability in demanding environments.

  • Always Ready to Use: Stays functional even after long periods of non-use, thanks to a humectant-rich ink and sealed tip that prevents dry-out.

  • Multi-Surface Versatility: Writes effortlessly on smooth surfaces (glass, metal, plastic), porous materials (paper, cardboard, wood), and even wet or moist substrates.

  • Consistent, Clog-Free Flow: Advanced carbon black dispersion and a 1 mm capillary nib deliver smooth, skip-free ink for dependable performance.

  • Deep Jet-Black Visibility: Carbon black ink creates crisp, high-contrast marks for bold, professional-grade clarity on any surface.

  • Precision Tip for Labeling: 1 mm fiber tip ensures controlled, uniform strokes with minimal bleed-through, ideal for technical and creative applications.

  • Easy Maintenance: Simple periodic cleaning with a damp cloth keeps the cap functioning smoothly, preserving long-term performance.

  • Reliable Ink Resuspension: Stainless-steel mixing ball re-homogenizes ink after storage, ensuring consistent flow and optical density with a quick shake.

  • Premium Engineering: Aluminum barrel and advanced cap seal technology maintain a humid micro-environment, extending shelf life and enhancing durability.

resistant

Category Items
Polar Solvents (Relative Polarity > 0.333) Methanol, Ethanol, Isopropanol, n-Propanol, Acetone, Methyl ethyl ketone (MEK), Acetonitrile, Propionitrile, Ethylene glycol, Dimethylformamide (DMF), Dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), Tetrahydrofuran (THF), and N-Methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP).
Detergents and Hydrophilic Surfactants (HLB > 10) Sodium lauryl sulfate, Polysorbate 20 (Tween 20), Polysorbate 80 (Tween 80), Sodium stearate, Sodium dodecylbenzenesulfonate, and Triton X-100.
Oxidizers Bleach (NaOCl), Hydrogen peroxide, Benzoyl peroxide, Potassium permanganate, and Peracetic acid.
Polymers and Resins Epoxy resins during cure and post-cure, Polyester resins, and Polyurethane coatings.
Abrasion Powders Alumina, Silica, Zirconia, Sand, Pumice powders, and abrasive cleaning powders (e.g., household scouring powders such as Comet cleanser. Particularly for porous surfaces.
UV Light and Radiation Direct sunlight, UV sterilizers (UVA/UVB), UV-C lamps, X-ray exposure, and Gamma-ray sterilization.
Acids (Dilute and Concentrated) Hydrochloric, Sulfuric (> 70%), Nitric (> 65%), Phosphoric, and Fuming HCl.
Bases (Dilute and Concentrated) Sodium hydroxide at any concentration, Potassium hydroxide at any concentration, and Ammonium hydroxide.
Aqueous Cleaning Agents Laboratory detergents such as Alconox and Liquinox, as well as industrial water-based degreasers.
Dishwashing Standard dishwasher cycles with detergents and high-heat drying.
Autoclaving Steam sterilization at 121 °C, 15 psi, through multiple cycles.
Salt and Ionic Solutions Sodium chloride brines, Saline solutions, and Buffer solutions, including phosphate and carbonate.
Biological Fluids Blood, Plasma, Saliva, Urine.
Thermal Stress Continuous heat up to 200 °C, brief open flame exposure, Heat guns, Deep freezing to -200 °C, and Liquid nitrogen.

not resistant

Even with high durability, limitations exist. The following conditions are not compatible with Magic Tag ink. 

Category Items
Hydrophobic Solvents (Relative Polarity < 0.333) Hexane, Heptane, Cyclohexane, Toluene, Xylene, Styrene, Ethyl acetate, Butyl acetate, Diethyl ether, Dichloromethane, and Chloroform.
Oils and Nonpolar Materials Mineral oils, Motor oils, Lubricating greases, Silicone oils, and Petroleum jelly.
Inert or Non-Wettable Surfaces Silicone rubber, Fluoropolymers including PTFE/Teflon, FEP, and PFA, Highly polished release-coated metals, and Perfluoroelastomers such as Viton and Kalrez.
Repeated Oil/Grease Handling Constant finger contact, such as when labeling keys, oily mechanical parts, and cooking surfaces with grease films.

solutions for oils

Tape: For surfaces exposed to oils, placing clear tape over the label will significantly extend its lifespan. 

For maximum durability, use a Low-Density Polyethylene (LDPE) Film Tape, sometimes called Greenhouse Repair Tape. LDPE tapes are usually opaque, but they are highly resistant to hydrophobic solvents and protect labels effectively. 

For most everyday uses, standard packaging tapes such as clear BOPP or PET-based tapes offer sufficient protection.

disposal instructions

Once the marker is spent, any remaining ink is immobilized in the fiber tip and chamber materials, making it safe for disposal in solid waste streams.

  •  Used or empty markers can be disposed of with normal trash.

  • Each marker contains only about 5 mL of ink, fully contained within the chamber. Do not attempt to disassemble the marker or access the ink reservoir.

if a marker leaks

If the marker becomes disassembled and leaks ink:

  • Blot the leak with a paper towel or cloth. Allow the towel/cloth to dry fully, then discard it with household trash.

  • Clean affected surfaces with soap and water or a compatible solvent such as turpentine, hexenes, an aliphatic hydrocarbon, or an oil.

  • Wash your hands after cleanup with a hydrophobic cleaner or soap. 

FAQs

Below are answers to our most commonly asked questions. If you don't find the answer you are looking for, please write us using the form at the bottom of this page.

It can take up to 90 to 120 seconds for the ink to dry, depending on the surface and room temperature.We typically label items and give them a few minutes to dry before use. The Engineering Markers are still the quickest way to label things.

Store the markers tip-side-up. 

The ink withstands solvents like ethanol, isopropanol, DMSO, acetonitrile, acetone, and methanol. The ink comes off with greasy solvents like WD40, Oil, Ethyl Acetate, and Hexanes. We are working on ink for greasy solvents.

If used incorrectly, occasionally. If the marker leaks, blot the tip dry with a napkin. The marker will work like new. Only prime the marker when new or if the marker stops writing. Do not shake the marker without its cap firmly secured. Store tip-side-up. When using the marker every day, you do not need to shake the marker every day. Excessive shaking, priming, and storing tip-side-down may cause leaking.

Not really. If the marker dries out, it can be reactivated, or primed by following the provided instruction on the box. We have hundreds of dried-out unusable Sharpies, which can dry out in the middle of using them or upon storage. Magic Tag's Engineering Markers can be stored for years and still work like new.

Magic Tag's ENGINEERING MARKER is formulated with Forever Ink: a mixture of solvents, pigments, dyes, and adhesives, designed to write on services of any porosity and withstand abrasion and chemical solvents. The ink makes the markers chemically resistant to ethanol, isopropanol, DMSO, acetonitrile, acetone, and methanol.

No, the marker will not affect cells. The effect of marker fumes on cultured cells has actually been studied.

Yes, the marker works great to temporally mark tails, paws, and ears. The markers last much longer than Sharpies, which fade after only one day.

The markers work best on dry surfaces. Dry the surface first, if wet.

We use the marker to label everything: thousands of items.; from the contents of storage cabinets, draws and bins to animals, and everything plastic and glass. The Engineering Markers work great to label experiments in progress. They have saved us countless time over the years. We threw away all of our labeling printers, purchase over the years. We no longer use anything else for labeling.

Yes, easily. 

Yes, the ink can withstand direct flames. 

Yes, labeled items can be submerged into boiling water for days. The ink will not come off.

Yes! If you are running RT-PCR, don't label the locations on the tube where the fluorescence is measured, which differ depending on the instrument.

Yes, the markers work great for labeling 96 and 384-well plates. Make sure to mark the edge of the wells or the edge of the plate, away from the path.

All markers will eventually come off for non-porous surfaces, like glass and plastic. Magic Tag Engineering Markers last much longer when tested against other markers under various common lab conditions.

For porous surfaces, like paper and cardboard, most markers work well. The advantage of Magic Tag Engineering Markers for porous surfaces is that the markers don't dry out until the ink runs out. Anyone who has tried labeling boxes with an old Sharpie knows that dry-out is a significant problem for many markers.