What’s the difference between washable and ultra-washable art supplies?

Where youngsters mix with paint and markers the result is that often the last thing to get colored is the paper. Skin, clothes and furniture all get ‘improved’ with the addition of paint and markers. While gently admonishing your little lovely for their artwork, you should be thankful that they are using washable or ultra-washable art supplies.

Definition of ‘washable’ art supplies

According to the Children’s Museum of Indianapolis, washable “pigments (powders that are mixed with oil or water to make paint, ink, or another coloring material) used for color in washable markers are put into water-based mediums. This allows them to dissolve or separate and run when they are exposed to water, even after they have dried.”

Ultra-washable to the rescue?

At the moment there is no fixed, industry standard definition of what constitutes ‘ultra-washable’. Art Supply Brands brought ‘Ultra Clean’ onto the market in around 2014. 

'Ultra-Washable' art supplies  use more water-soluble pigments than standard washable pigments. These more water-soluble pigments may not be so great for drawing and coloring due to lighter tints and smudging.  

Color Swell Bulk Markers and Watercolors

All of the bulk markers and bulk watercolors we sell at Color Swell are classed as ‘washable’. That means with early intervention you should be able to remove the colors that your aspiring artists have left behind. Come to us for your bulk markers or bulk watercolors today!