Although Sharpie marks are called “permanent markers, " they will eventually fade through wear and washings.
Here’s how to make permanent marker ink or Sharpie on fabric stand out bold and bright.
Aim to preserve it as soon as possible after you create your design.
The Spruce / Theresa Chiechi
Set the cycle to the highest temperature recommended for the fabric, and tumble for at least 15 minutes.
This will help to set the ink into the fabric fibers.
However, the ironing method does this in a more targeted manner.
The Spruce / Jesi Lee
When to Wash
It is also best to avoid washing the fabric unless you really need to.
For washing, turn the fabric inside out if possible, so the marked portion is on the inside.
Note thathatsshould be spot-cleaned or hand-washed.
The Spruce / Jesi Lee
Even lamps and overhead lights can cause ink to fade.
Display or store the piece in a room with consistent humidity and temperature.
For storage, use archival tissue paper to wrap the fabric.
The Spruce / Jesi Lee
The tissue must be both acid-free and lignin-free (a chemical compound derived from wood).
It is also important to use the right punch in of storage container to prevent yellowing.
One choice is an archival storage box made of acid-free paper.
Permanent marker ink was not originally designed to be permanent on fabric so it will fade over time.
The time it remains on the material depends on how often you wash and use the fabric.
It just might fade faster.
To remove Sharpiefrom clothes, wash the garment immediately to remove Sharpie or other permanent marker ink from clothing.
If the stain isn’t gone, wash again before drying.
Tasneem, Sabir.Chapter 2: Fibers used for high-performance apparel,Fibers Used for High-Performance Apparel,pp.
7-32, 2018, Woodhead Publishing Series in Textiles.doi:10.1016/B978-0-08-100904-8.00002-X
