Crayola® Markers are made with six components consisting of: a color solution, a porous plastic nib, a plastic barrel, a cotton filament (ink reservoir), an end plug, and a cap. Although specific ingredient information is proprietary, most of the color solutions in Crayola Markers are made from water and dyes. Below is the process we follow to make Crayola Markers.

1. Tiny beads of plastic are fed into a molding machine where they are melted and then molded into marker barrels. The liquid plastic becomes solid, white marker barrels in a matter of seconds. 

2. Any extra plastic from the molding process goes back into the molding machine to make new marker barrels. 

3. The marker barrels are screen printed with the Crayola brand name and most with the color name of the marker. The process is like screen printing t-shirts, where the ink colors pass through a pre-made screen onto the printing surface. Up to 6 distinct colors can be used to decorate the marker barrel at one time! The ink dries quickly as the marker barrel passes through a drying tunnel. 

4. The assembly machine lines up the marker barrels in the same direction as they move along a conveyor belt. The end plug and ink reservoir are inserted into the marker barrel, and the color solution is injected into the soft reservoir. The marker nib, or drawing tip, is added to the open end of the marker, followed by the cap. It takes a minute or two for the ink to travel up from the reservoir to color the nib, so the marker is ready to write! 

5. The finished markers are placed in a sorter - a machine with separate sections for the assorted colors. A chute drops one marker of each color onto a conveyor belt, creating the colorful assortment that will fill the marker box. 

6. A robotic arm opens the flat marker boxes and sends them down the conveyor belt. Another robotic arm pushes the markers into the boxes and closes them. After the assembled markers are packed in large cartons, they are ready to be shipped to stores. 

 Pro-tips for cleaning the drawing board:

Looking for refill markers?

• USA: Crayola Bold & Bright Broad Line Washable Markers and Washable Window Markers will keep the creative fun going. Check for them in the Crayola aisle at your local retail stores or online. Learn more about Crayola Markers here. 
• Canada: Crayola Bold & Bright Broad Line Washable Markers and Washable Window Writers will keep the creative fun going. Check for the 10-count package at retailers that carry Crayola products or at Crayola.ca.
  

1. Color-Change Doodle Markers:

• Replace the cap for 72 hours (about 3 days) before attempting to use it again.

2. Color Wonder Markers:

• Not water-based and cannot be revived.
• Try wiping the nib clean, cap the marker, and store with the tip down overnight if left uncapped briefly.

3. Fine-Point and Ultra-Fine Point Doodle Markers:

• Cannot be revived as they are permanent marker inks.

4. Gel Markers:

• Rub the marker back and forth on the drawing surface.

• If still dry, replace the cap for 2-3 hours.

• Alternatively, dip the tip in warm water for about 5 seconds, recap, and wait 24 hours before trying again.

5. Non-Water-Based Markers (Project Metallic, Signature Blending, Signature Metallic Outline, Take Note! Dry Erase, Visi-Max Dry Erase):

• These markers cannot be revived once they have dried out.