How to Prevent Ghosting
Every chalk artist has experienced it—ghosting. Even if you don’t know what ghosting is, you have probably encountered it at some point. It’s when a faint image remains on a chalkboard’s surface after something is erased ... annoying, isn’t it? But there’s good news! There are a couple of ways to prevent ghosting and it’s pretty simple to do!
Is Your Chalkboard Porous or Non-porous?
Check whether your chalkboard is porous or non-porous. Liquid chalk markers are compatible with non-porous chalkboards only. A porous chalkboard will allow the ink to seep inside its tiny openings (pores), making it difficult to erase. A good example of a non-porous chalkboard is one made of slate or vinyl.
If you’re not sure, ask the seller directly if their product is compatible with liquid chalk markers.
Do a Spot Test
Always do a spot test before using any type of chalkboard. Here is how to do it:
- Write on a small corner of the chalkboard.
- Wait for 15 minutes for the ink to fully dry.
- Erase with a damp cloth or sponge, or if necessary, a magic eraser, Windex, or our Versachalk Cleaning kit.
Season/Prime Your Chalkboard
Chalkboard priming is an easy way to create a foundation to prevent ghosting. Here is how to do it.
- Take a piece of chalk and rub it on the entire board twice—once using vertical strokes, then again using horizontal strokes. The entire board should be covered with chalk.
- Use a soft rag, cloth, or chalkboard brush to wipe the chalk away. Blow off any remaining chalk. The chalk that adheres to the board will serve as a ghost-resistant surface.
Hope we helped! Happy Writing!
