Question 1

Are LCG markers safe for children to use?

Accepted Answer

LCG Chroma markers are filled with acrylic water-based ink, which is non-toxic and low odor.  Children using any acrylic paint or ink should be supervised by an adult.  LCG Chroma markers should not be used by any children under 3 years of age, even if supervised by an adult.  Ink on skin will wash off with water if the ink is still wet.  It will come off skin even if the ink is dry with soap and water and rubbing.  Unwanted dry acrylic ink on clothing or fabric will be bad; at least some of the ink will come out if scrubbed and washed thoroughly, particularly in a washing machine.  Repeated washing will help.  Ensure children avoid eyes, ears and mouth while handling any LCG Chroma marker.

Question 2

My marker is brand new and appears dry - no ink is coming out - what do I do?

Accepted Answer

Each LCG Chroma marker has 5 grams of ink.  The ink is pressurized in each cartridge in which it is placed so it is fresh and ready until you need it.
The first time you use any LCG Chroma marker, please follow the 3 steps below in the order listed to begin painting:
Hold the marker upright & shake well with the cap on.
Continuing to hold the marker upright, press the nib down with your thumb or finger to release the pressure in the chamber.
Hold the marker tip down and press the nib down on a blotter or paper multiple times until you see the ink flowing through the nib.
After you are finished using your marker on a project, recap it tightly & store it horizontally.
Each time you use the LCG Chroma marker afterwards, please hold it upright and shake it well with the cap on.  Then turn it tip down and press the nib down on a blotter or paper until you see a spot of ink on the paper or blotter.  You are now ready to start using it.  For longer life of your marker, recap it tightly and store it horizontally after each use.

Question 3

I’ve only used my markers a little and some of them are dead or dry or the ink color has changed on one or more of them – what do I do?

Accepted Answer

We recommend you do not mark or paint over existing acrylic paint.  If you do, we recommend you only paint over dry acrylic paint and do so gently.  If you lay down a background color over which you intend to paint or mark, wait 15 or more minutes for the acrylic paint to dry before you begin painting over it (humidity, and how many layers of paint you already used will affect the time it takes for the paint to completely dry, but generally 15 minutes is enough time).  When you do paint or mark over existing paint, do so gently so you do not chip off the underlying paint or ink.  If you press hard and chip off some dry paint, it will clog the felt tip of the marker you are using and that marker may appear to be a dry or “dead” marker from which ink no longer flows.  Similarly, if you are painting on natural or untreated wood, or stones or pine cones which may have sand, small debris, etc., as you paint some of this debris may be picked up by the felt nib and clog the nib, preventing ink from flowing.  We recommend you clean, dust or wash the stones or objects on which you paint or mark to remove loose sand or debris.  Chips of dry paint or other debris on the felt tip should be removed, either by washing the felt tip, scraping the tip to remove the debris or replacing the nib altogether.  You may then continue using the marker. 
Do not use a marker with one color to paint or mark over the wet paint of a marker with a different color.  The felt tip of one marker may absorb some of the wet paint from the surface on which you are painting or marking, which will alter the color.  For example, if you use a green marker to paint on a spot, and then immediately paint over it with a red marker, the surface you painted may appear brown, as the wet colors mix.  Further, the felt tip of the red marker may absorb some of the wet green paint, and even after you move to a new surface area, it may paint or mark in brown, or differing shades of brown as the green ink wears off the felt tip of the red marker.  You may replace the felt marker tip with a new marker tip or try to wash the felt tip to remove the green ink.
Each LCG Chroma marker comes with 5 grams of ink and should last for many uses.  You can always peel back the marker label (and then reapply it) to confirm there is still ink in the marker, because the ink chamber is made of transparent plastic.  You may also be able to confirm there is still ink is in the chamber by looking at the clear bottom of the marker and shaking it.

Question 4

My marker has a round bullet point nib - where is the chisel point nib for it?

Accepted Answer

Holding the marker upright, simply pull the nib out with your fingers (or tweezers if you wish) and you will find the chisel point at the other end of the nib.  Reverse the nib with the round bullet head pointed in towards the ink chamber and replace it at the tip of the marker.
If the tip is soaked in acrylic ink and it gets on your hands when you reverse the nib, simply wash your hands right after reversing the nib.  The ink is water based and will wash off easily with water if it does not have a chance to dry.

Question 5

Is this a permanent ink marker?

Accepted Answer

LCG Chroma is an acrylic water-based paint marker.  Once the ink dries, it is relatively permanent.  It can be removed with rubbing alcohol.  But once it is dry, it is water resistant and fade resistant.  Water resistant is not waterproof.  If you mark on outdoor window glass and it rains, the ink will not be affected.  But if you mark on a drinking glass and place the drinking glass in a dish washer, the ink may fade or chip off.  Similarly, if you scratch or scrub the surface with dry acrylic ink on it, the ink may chip or some of it may come off.  The ink will not be affected by gentle hand washing, but sustained washing with hot water and detergent, and scrubbing, will chip or remove part or all of the ink.
LCG Chroma ink is not specially designed or formulated to be cured onto glass by baking.  It is, however, an acrylic water-based ink.  If you wish to cure or bake the ink onto glass, we recommend you test one piece of glassware first to ensure it works to your satisfaction, before using LCG Chroma markers for a larger or more time consuming project involving the curing or baking of paint onto glassware.

Question 6

Are LCG Chroma markers refillable?

Accepted Answer

LCG Chroma makers are not designed to be refilled.  They are loaded with 5 grams of ink and should be safely discarded when empty.  Opening or attempting to refill an LCG Chroma marker will void the performance and satisfaction Guaranty on your purchase of LCG Chroma markers.

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