Marker Testing
The Winner: Our Pen (https://labchest.com/products/the-laboratory-marker)
When we were pursuing our PhDs, we had an inordinate struggle finding a marker that could 1) stand up to laboratory conditions, and 2) was cheap. Since founding LabChest, this was our number one priority - find the best lab marker!
Here we tested 11 different markers by writing on a plastic Petri dish and subjected it to various laboratory conditions.
| Marker Name | Legibility | Boiling | Freezing | Water Resistance | Ethanol Resistance | Isopropanol Resistance | Detergent Resistance |
| ACE 324T | +++ | +++ | +++ | +++ | +++ | + | +++ |
| Sharpie Fine Point | |||||||
| M&G APM21372 | |||||||
| Fisherbrand Laboratory Marker | ++ | +++ | +++ | ++ | ++ | ||
| Thermofisher Nalgene CryoPen | |||||||
| Staedler Permanent Marker | |||||||
| Asia-Tone Permanent Marker | |||||||
| Zebra MC-12A1-SNZ | |||||||
| Zebra 0120-555335 | |||||||
| Deli No.6824 |
The Test Subjects
1) ACE 324T (https://labchest.com/products/the-laboratory-marker)
2) Sharpie Fine Point
3) M&G APM21372
4) Fisherbrand Laboratory Marker 1400-20-FSC
5) Thermofisher Scientific Nalgene CryoPen 63130010
6) Arzol Japan Permanent Marker
7) Staedler Permanent Marker NR 313-9
8) Asia-Tone Permanent Marker
9) Zebra MC-12A1-SNZ
10) Zebra 0120-555335
11) Deli No.6824
The Conditions (in order)
1. Ethanol spray + rub
We sprayed the Petri plate with 70% ethanol after writing with all 11 laboratory pens. Only 4 were able to withstand the ethanol (324T, Fisherbrand, Arzol, and Asia-Tone). Surprisingly, Thermofisher's Nalgene Cryo-Pen was unable to. These 4 surviving pens went on to survive all the remaining tests, but our marker remained the most legible and distinct.
2. Freeze at -80ºC for 5 minutes + rub
We placed the Petri dish in -80ºC conditions for 5 minutes and attempted to rub away the marking. None of the markings faded.
3. Boil at 100ºC for 1 minute + rub
We boiled the plate at 100ºC for 1 minute and attempted to rub away the marking. None of the markings faded but the plate deformed.
4. Wash with detergent + rub
Next, we added common glassware detergent to the plate and rubbed with a sponge. Fisherbrand, Arzol, and Asia-Tone had their markings fade slightly, but our pen remained strong.
There we go! We finally find our endgame lab marker, and you can get yours too right here: https://labchest.com/products/the-laboratory-marker.