Liquid Chalk

Did you know that liquid chalk needs to be activated before use?

Brand new markers don't have any colour in the nib and need to be activated by priming the nib.

Prep

Remove the cap and with the nib facing upwards, press the nib with your thumb to release any trapped air.
Then shake vigorously until you can hear the shaker in the barrel. This is essential to make sure the liquid is thoroughly mixed.
If you can't hear the shaker, firmly tap the marker against a hard surface 4-5 times. Repeat until the shaker is moving.

Prime

Using some paper or the planner packaging, press the nib in and out repeatedly until the colour saturates the nib.

Please persist as this may take a while but it will work.

Shake the marker very well before each use and ensure that the cap is placed firmly on the marker so it doesn't dry out.

Write and Store

For the first few times, write on your planner when it is on a bench. Gravity will help the solution get into the nib so it's ready to use.

If after activation the marker is watery, the product is not mixing properly. Repeat the above steps ensuring the shaker is moving freely.

Pro Tips

Store upright with the cap up or flat.
Liquid chalk erases best when it is completely dry.
We recommend using whiteboard cleaner to maker sure there are no stubborn stains left behind.
Avoid spraying cleaning directly onto the chalk. The chalk is water based and will dissolve quickly. Instead, spray onto a cloth then wipe with using a scooping motion.
Avoid wiping over the edges of the planner. This can cause moisture to get under the surface and will result in lifting.
Did you know that you can turn the nib around? One end is a bullet nib and the other is a chisel nib. We recommend using the bullet nib on magnet planners.
Use liquid chalk on any non-porous surface such as: magnets, whiteboard, glass, metal, vinyl, sealed ceramin etc.

Find the right marker colour for your planner

Not all coloured markers are the perfect fit for coloured planners.

Check out our colour guide to see which colour markers we recommend using.

View Guide

Troubleshooting

How do I know which colour marker to use on my planner?

You can't go wrong with black or white markers. they are classic, bold and clear and easy to read.

If you prefer colour, please review our colour compatibility guide on this page.

Please be mindful that some coloured markers may not result in a bold result if used on coloured backgrounds. the colours blend together and can be difficult to see unless there is a strong contrast.

My chalk is watery, how do I fix it

There's a small ball bearing in the barrel of your marker, you should be able to hear it moving when you shake your marker. If you can't hear it, the ball needs to be to dislodged - tap the marker firmly on a solid surface a few times e.g. the kitchen bench, then shake the marker vigorously.

The ball bearing moving in the barrel is essential for mixing the chalk and water solution. As always, make sure to shake your marker before each use.

Light pink marker is not working

Full transparency, this one's been a bit of a problem child.

Please follow the steps to make sure you can hear the barrel moving, this is essential.

If the writing is water, use a tissue or some tweezers and remove the nib. Turn it around and put it back in. The press the nib in and out a few times and it should work perfectly.

If not, please contact us for assistance.

My chalk isn't bright like the pictures

Please follow the steps above to make sure the ink is well mixed. Shake vigorously prior to each use and in between use, store the marker with the cap up. This stops the chalk from continually saturating the nib. For the first 1 or 2 uses, write with your planner on a bench instead of the fridge - this will help gravity to load the nib for writing.

What surfaces are compatible with chalkboard markers?

Smooth non-porous surfaces work best. Such as: laminated magnet material, glass, metal, plastic, granite, glazed ceramic, porcelain chalkboards, chalkboard contact paper paper, vinyl labels

Can I use them on chalkboard paint?

Generally, chalk markers don’t work well on chalkboard paint. Paint tends to absorb the ink from the markers and it doesn’t erase easily. Though some brands of chalkboard paint may work, we recommend you only write on unpainted, non-porous surfaces.

There are marks left after I tried to erase them – what do I do?

We have introduced the OLB Whiteboard Cleaning Kit which will dissolve the chalk leaving your planner fresh and ready to use.

You can also try a Magic Eraser (use a very light hand) and a bit of water and the ink will come off most surfaces.
You can also try using Isopropyl (min 80%).
A cleaning wipe for glasses may also do the trick

How to turn the nib around

The great thing about our marker is they have both a bullet and chisel nib in one.

They will arrive with the bullet nib in place but if you would like to try the chisel nib, grab some tweezers (so you don't stain you fingers) and pull the nib out. Turn it around and pop it back in - then twist to the right a couple of time and it's ready to go.

How to fix clogged nibs

Sometimes the nibs can get clogged. Here's some tips to fix it:

Option 1 - use some tweezers to pull the nib out. The turn it around and pop it back in. Then reprise the nib. You will have a different nib shape but this is usually the trick to getting the marker to work.
Option 2 - remove the nib and soak it in some warm water for about 2 minutes. Then replace it. Here’s a link to a TikTok that shows what to do: How to unclog liquid chalk nibs