Pens and Markers for Food Labels and Kitchen Storage

Do you know what’s in your freezer?

If you’re like us, your refrigerator, freezer, and pantry are full of mystery food containers. Leftovers, baked goods, meals we’ve made ahead for the week, spice jars and more get jumbled together and without clear labels, it’s far too easy to lose track of which container holds what.

A marker that can clearly label several surfaces without rubbing off changes the kitchen organization game. There’s no more need to search for masking tape or reconstruct the almost-illegible markings on that container in the back of the fridge. Instead, each item gets an easily-readable, condensation-resistant label right on the container itself so that you always know what’s in it.

Read on to discover the best pens and markers for your kitchen, along with detailed test results.

CONSIDERATIONS

Material

Kitchen markers need to write on several surfaces.

There are a wide variety of materials in the kitchen that you may want to label, including plastic and glass leftover containers, zip-top bags, plastic wrap, aluminum foil, and more. If you only use a coordinated set of leftover containers, it’s easier to find a single marker that will meet your needs. For those who often bake, cook, and use a variety of containers and wraps, it’s more important to choose a marker that works on a broad range of surfaces.

Permanence & Condensation Resistance

Condensation resistance is important for freezer items.

Some markers will write on a surface but then rub off when handled or if the container develops condensation, rendering their labels useless. Water-resistant pens and markers stand up better to condensation, but too much water-resistance makes it difficult to wash containers and re-label them. Some applications may call for a permanent label, but we prefer pens and markers that can be washed off when necessary.

Whether you need a permanent or temporary label, bear in mind that if you heat a container while it is labeled, the writing may become permanent. This is especially true on metal and plastic surfaces.

Some markers leave slight shadows (faint marks with little or no pigment) on plastic and metal containers, especially when they’ve been heated. Most can be removed with rubbing alcohol, but not all. We have indicated how each pen and marker behaves regarding washing and heating in the tables at the end of this blog post. If you will be heating your containers and it is important to not risk shadows, you can also write your labels on washi tape.

RECOMMENDATIONS

Our Favorite Kitchen Marker: Pilot Oil-Based Twin Markers

Pilot Twin Markers write very well on kitchen surfaces.

It was difficult to decide on the overall best kitchen marker – none of the pens and markers we tested worked perfectly on all surfaces and in all conditions, but several performed well in multiple tests. Even so, Pilot Oil-Based Twin Markers stood out. They wrote with a remarkably clear, well-pigmented line on every surface we tested, including difficult materials like parchment paper, wax paper, and nonstick pans. They resisted condensation very well yet washed off of every surface we tried.

These markers did leave slight shadows on plastic containers and stainless steel after washing, but we were able to remove or dramatically reduce those shadows with rubbing alcohol. Keep in mind that Pilot Twin Markers become permanent on nonstick pans and leave shadows on stainless steel and plastic containers after being heated.

Twin Markers are double-sided, with both fine and extra-fine tips. These versatile markers come in 12 colors and are also known for being good for writing on washi tape.

Best For Spice Jars: Sakura Decorese Gel Pens

Sakura Decorese Gel Pens are decorative and functional.

Refillable spice jars can double as decoration when displayed in a spice rack or pantry, so it’s best if their labels are pretty as well as functional. We like making our own labels so that we can coordinate their color and style with the rest of the kitchen and reuse glass jars by filling them with spices and other dry goods.

Sakura Decorese Gel Pens provide an ideal balance of form and function. They behave very well on smooth, non-porous surfaces like glass and come in 10 beautiful colors.

Decorese Pens take longer to dry than most of our other recommendations, but compensate by laying down a thick, highly readable line. Their raised, slightly glossy ink gives even ordinary writing an ornamental look and won’t rub off with handling.

Like every item we tested except the Epoch Kobaru, Sakura Decorese Gel Pens will come off of glass if washed or exposed to condensation and rubbed. If you want a faster-drying or plainer option, try the Pilot Name Marker for a dark, clearly visible line.

Best For The Freezer: Uni Pi:s Double-Sided Marker

Uni Pi:s Double-Sided Markers resist freezer condensation.

Containers placed in the fridge or freezer often develop condensation, which causes many kinds of ink to come off with just a casual touch. This can make it impossible to find what you need in the freezer, especially when it comes to long term food storage.

Oil-based Uni Pi:s Double-Sided Marker wrote on every surface we tested except nonstick metal. Although condensation can cause them to partially rub off on smoother surfaces, they won’t come off with normal handling after spending time in the freezer.

Even when we deliberately tried to remove their writing, the Pi:s stayed legible until we went far beyond reasonable use. The only surface which they did not stay on with ordinary handling, like nearly every item we tested, was glass.

Pi:s Markers are double-sided and come in 12 colors. They are made with recycled materials and are designed to minimize damage to the environment.

Best For Leftover Containers: Pilot Name Markers

Pilot Name Markers write clearly and wash off easily.

When labeling leftover containers, it’s important that labels come off easily so that the containers can be reused again and again without confusion. We looked for a marker that makes a clear, washable line on plastic containers, glass, aluminum foil, and zip-top bags, as those are the materials that are most likely to be reused.

Pilot Name Markers produce dark, highly readable lines on all of the relevant materials. Although they remain legible against condensation and normal handling, they consistently wash off cleanly with soap and water.

Bear in mind that Pilot Name Markers may leave a shadow on plastic leftover containers after being heated, so you may want to remove the label before warming up your lunch. As a bonus, they come in both a fine single-tipped marker and a double-sided marker with an extra-fine end that lets you easily label smaller containers.

Best For Zip-top Bags: Zebra Mackee Care Double-Sided Markers

Zebra Mackee Care Double-Sided Markers write well on zip-top bags.

Zip-top bags like sandwich bags are both ubiquitous and hard to label. Many inks won’t stay on their extra-smooth plastic surfaces, and although some bags come with special “label” coatings, not all do – and some markers simply won’t write on that coating.

Zebra Mackee Care Double-Sided Markers write remarkably well on the clear portion of zip-top bags. They usually also write well on the “label” portion of zip-top bags, but like all of the markers we tested they can scrape off the label material. This prevents the markers from writing well, so write with a light touch and prime the marker tips on paper if they stop writing.

Mackees produce a strong, distinct line that does not rub off with condensation, but can be washed off if you want to reuse the bag. Heat did not have any apparent effect on them. Zebra Mackee Care Markers are refillable, which makes them both economical and good for the environment. They are double-sided with fine and extra-fine tips and come in 12 colors.

Best For Wet Surfaces: Epoch Kobaru Wet Surface Paint Markers

Epoch Kobaru Wet Surface Paint Markers write well on wet containers.

Very few of the pens and markers we tested could write on surfaces that were already wet – indeed, most simply refused to put down any sort of line at all. However, it’s likely that containers in the kitchen will get wet and need to be labeled at some point. When that happens, reach for Epoch Kobaru Wet Surface Paint Markers.

As suggested by the name, Epoch Kobaru Markers are specifically made to write on wet surfaces. They knocked every other pen and marker out of the proverbial water by dispensing a clear, thick line on every surface we tested.

These markers will run slightly if they encounter a large drop of water as they are being written with, but they stay thoroughly legible.

It is important to note that writing from Epoch Kobaru Markers stays tacky for several minutes, so be sure to allow it ample time to dry.

The Epoch Kobaru took more effort to remove than most of the other markers we tested and left permanent shadows on zip-top bags, stainless steel, and plastic containers when heated. Heat also made it completely permanent on our nonstick pan and sometimes softened the ink enough for it to become sticky.

Best For Cooking With Children: Stabilo Woody 3 in 1 Colored Pencil

Stabilo Woody 3 in 1 Colored Pencils are kid-friendly and colorful.

We loved cooking with our parents when we were kids. Now that we’re older, we realize that our parents had ulterior motives – not only is cooking a fun way to spend time together and let children feel like “big kids” who make concrete contributions to the family, but it also teaches practical math and reading skills.

The Stabilo Woody 3 in 1 Colored Pencil feels like a cross between a colored pencil and a crayon. Its pleasantly chunky body is easy for small hands to hold and it is certified non-toxic.

The Woody writes well on all of the surfaces we tested except for two: plastic wrap that was stretched over a bowl and the non-label portion of zip-top bags. It does not have the staying power of our other recommendations, but it should stand up to ordinary handling. It does not resist condensation well and we do not recommend exposing it to heat. It washed easily off every surface we tested.

The Woody comes in 18 vibrant colors and is available in sets or singles, with or without the companion child-safe sharpener. It also works well on light and dark paper and can be used as a watercolor pencil, making it a highly versatile arts and crafts tool for kids.

Best For Potlucks: Teranishi Magic Ink Name Markers

Teranishi Magic Ink Name Markers resist heating well.

Anyone who attends potlucks knows the scramble at the end to identify which pans belong to which person. Avoid the confusion by writing your name on everything you bring, from pie plates to actual dishes. For this section, we looked for a marker that wrote on plastic wrap, glass, ceramic, nonstick metal, and stainless steel and came off cleanly even after being heated.

The ease with which Teranishi Magic Ink Name Markers write on nonstick surfaces alone justifies the “magic” in their name.

Their ink has a slightly brownish hue compared to similar markers, but it is just as readable as blacker inks. These two-sided markers are slightly more vulnerable to condensation than some of our other picks but remain legible with normal handling.

Unlike many of our tested markers, which became permanent or left prominent shadows on metal and plastic after being heated, Teranishi Magic Ink Name Markers left almost no trace on the relevant surfaces. The exception was stainless steel, which retained a very faint shadow even after being cleaned with rubbing alcohol.

PERFORMANCE COMPARISONS

We tested 20 pens and markers on 10 common kitchen surfaces and subjected their writing to a variety of conditions that they would likely encounter in a kitchen. We did not perform cleaning tests on plastic wrap, parchment paper, or wax paper since those materials do not stand up well to reuse.

Tests

• Writes: indicates how well the pen or marker wrote in dry conditions.
• Freezer: we left the items in the freezer overnight to develop condensation and then rubbed the writing. The results range from low resistance to high resistance.
• Heat: we microwaved most items for one minute and baked non-microwave-safe items at 350°F. The results show whether the heat made the writing more permanent.
• Washes: we washed the items with dish soap and the scrubby side of a sponge.
• Alcohol: we tested whether rubbing alcohol removed any writing that remained after washing.

Badges

• Slow drying ink.
• Ink that rubs off under dry conditions. If the circle is empty, the ink rubs off easily. If it is filled in, the ink should stand up to handling but may rub off over time.
• Can write on damp surfaces. All but the Epoch Kobaru Wet Surface Paint Marker run illegibly if they encounter large water drops.
• Reacts badly to being heated, either by melting, softening, or diffusing color. Some of these reactions are surface-specific.

Click below to see the results.

Plastic Container
Plastic Container

Name	Writes	Freezer	Heat	Washes	Alcohol
Woody
Sharpie
Pilot Twin
Pilot Name
Onamae
Mackee
Teranishi
My Name
Namae Senka
Ippo
Tough
Uni Pi:s
Deco Cute
Le Pen
Kobaru	.
Multi Ball
Decorese	.
Uni Posca	.
Glaze
Souffle

Glass
Glass

Name	Writes	Freezer	Heat	Washes	Alcohol
Woody
Sharpie
Pilot Twin
Pilot Name
Onamae
Mackee
Teranishi
My Name
Namae Senka
Ippo
Tough
Uni Pi:s
Deco Cute
Le Pen
Kobaru
Multi Ball		—	—	—	—
Decorese
Uni Posca
Glaze
Souffle

Zip-top Bag
Zip-top Bag

Name	Writes	Freezer	Heat	Washes	Alcohol
Woody
Sharpie
Pilot Twin
Pilot Name
Onamae
Mackee
Teranishi
My Name
Namae Senka
Ippo
Tough
Uni Pi:s
Deco Cute
Le Pen		—	—	—	—
Kobaru
Multi Ball
Decorese
Uni Posca
Glaze
Souffle

Plastic Wrap
Plastic Wrap

Name	Writes	Freezer	Heat	Washes	Alcohol
Woody		—	—	—	—
Sharpie				—	—
Pilot Twin				—	—
Pilot Name				—	—
Onamae				—	—
Mackee				—	—
Teranishi				—	—
My Name				—	—
Namae Senka				—	—
Ippo				—	—
Tough				—	—
Uni Pi:s				—	—
Deco Cute				—	—
Le Pen		—	—	—	—
Kobaru				—	—
Multi Ball		—	—	—	—
Decorese		—	—	—	—
Uni Posca				—	—
Glaze		—	—	—	—
Souffle		—	—	—	—

Aluminum Foil (Tin Foil)
Aluminum Foil (Tin Foil)

Name	Writes	Freezer	Heat	Washes	Alcohol
Woody
Sharpie
Pilot Twin
Pilot Name
Onamae
Mackee
Teranishi
My Name
Namae Senka
Ippo
Tough
Uni Pi:s
Deco Cute
Le Pen
Kobaru
Multi Ball
Decorese
Uni Posca
Glaze
Souffle

Parchment Paper
Parchment Paper

Name	Writes	Freezer	Heat	Washes	Alcohol
Woody				—	—
Sharpie				—	—
Pilot Twin				—	—
Pilot Name				—	—
Onamae				—	—
Mackee				—	—
Teranishi				—	—
My Name				—	—
Namae Senka				—	—
Ippo				—	—
Tough				—	—
Uni Pi:s				—	—
Deco Cute				—	—
Le Pen		—	—	—	—
Kobaru				—	—
Multi Ball				—	—
Decorese				—	—
Uni Posca				—	—
Glaze				—	—
Souffle				—	—

Wax Paper
Wax Paper

Name	Writes	Freezer	Heat	Washes	Alcohol
Woody				—	—
Sharpie				—	—
Pilot Twin				—	—
Pilot Name				—	—
Onamae				—	—
Mackee				—	—
Teranishi				—	—
My Name				—	—
Namae Senka				—	—
Ippo				—	—
Tough				—	—
Uni Pi:s				—	—
Deco Cute				—	—
Le Pen		—	—	—	—
Kobaru				—	—
Multi Ball				—	—
Decorese				—	—
Uni Posca				—	—
Glaze				—	—
Souffle				—	—

Stainless Steel
Stainless Steel

Name	Writes	Freezer	Heat	Washes	Alcohol
Woody
Sharpie
Pilot Twin
Pilot Name
Onamae
Mackee
Teranishi
My Name
Namae Senka
Ippo
Tough
Uni Pi:s
Deco Cute
Le Pen
Kobaru
Multi Ball
Decorese
Uni Posca
Glaze
Souffle

Nonstick Metal
Nonstick Metal

Name	Writes	Freezer	Heat	Washes	Alcohol
Woody
Sharpie		—	—	—	—
Pilot Twin
Pilot Name		—	—	—	—
Onamae
Mackee		—	—	—	—
Teranishi
My Name		—	—	—	—
Namae Senka		—	—	—	—
Ippo
Tough
Uni Pi:s		—	—	—	—
Deco Cute
Le Pen		—	—	—	—
Kobaru
Multi Ball		—	—	—	—
Decorese
Uni Posca
Glaze		—	—	—	—
Souffle		—	—	—	—

Ceramic
Ceramic

Name	Writes	Freezer	Heat	Washes	Alcohol
Woody
Sharpie
Pilot Twin
Pilot Name
Onamae
Mackee
Teranishi
My Name
Namae Senka
Ippo
Tough
Uni Pi:s
Deco Cute
Le Pen
Kobaru
Multi Ball
Decorese
Uni Posca
Glaze
Souffle

THE FINISHING TOUCH

It’s a lot easier to keep your kitchen organized with a marker that writes well on all of your containers. Do you have a favorite kitchen marker or pen? Let us know what you use in the comments below!

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SOURCE:http://www.jetpens.com/blog/pens-and-markers-for-food-labels-and-kitchen-storage/pt/909