by sefali | Aug 20, 2018 | Blog
For anyone using a product with whiteboard functionality – ghosting can be a potential problem. People go to great lengths to keep their whiteboards free of ghosting and struggle through trying to find what will work, what won’t work and what could potentially damage their whiteboard surface.
What is Whiteboard Ghosting?
Ghosting is when the surface of a whiteboard/ whiteboard wall won’t fully erase, leaving behind stains and stray marks which can make your whiteboard look dirty or make it hard to read.
What Causes Whiteboard Ghosting?
Ghosting can occur for a number of reasons some of which you can read below. It should be noted that traditional whiteboards usually have a limited life span in which you can avoid any ghosting.
- Using low quality, cheap whiteboards
- Repeated heavy use of whiteboards
- Leaving marks on a whiteboard for extended periods
- Erasing markers while they are still wet
- Some types of whiteboards are more susceptible than others to ghosting
How to Avoid Whiteboard Ghosting?
- Use high quality markers and cleaning sprays
- Clean with Smart Sponge
- Replace your choice of eraser when it gets dirty
- Use a pro cleaner every so often – note not suitable for daily usage
One solution to avoiding ghosting altogether is abandoning traditional whiteboards and instead coating your wall with a high quality whiteboard paint: Smart Whiteboard Paint.
Smart Whiteboard Paint and Whiteboard Ghosting
Smart Whiteboard Paint is a high quality whiteboard paint which does not ghost. It has no harsh or cheap chemicals. It abides by all regulations of EU standards and is a low VOC product. These factors help it prevent factors such as poor erasability.
However ghosting can also be a repercussion of how you apply or maintain a product, so below are some tips for maintaining your Smart Whiteboard Wall.
Make sure that your whiteboard paint has been correctly installed, following the application guide provided, to help ensure no ghosting will occur.
- Do not stretch the paint: Smart Whiteboard Paint is sold by the area the customer is looking to cover, not litres. Using the paint on a larger area than the tin allows can have negative effects on the product’s erasability.
- For the first month of use, while the paint is still curing do not leave markers on the wall over night. This will give the product time to cure.
- Do not use Permanent Ink Remover on a daily basis as it can damage the surface. This product is for stubborn stains and you should thus use it irregularly.
- Do not use alcohol to clean the surface as continued use of alcohol on SWP may deteriorate the integrity of your surface and reduce the performance.
Smarter Surfaces also have a range of high quality dry erase wallcoverings available which are guaranteed ghosting-free.
The whiteboard accessories you use are very important in keeping your whiteboard surface in good condition. To save you the hassle of having to search through the number of brands of markers available, you can check out the markers we sell on our website which are high quality so are ideal to be used with whiteboard paint.
In conclusion, your whiteboard surfaces does need some care to maintain a pristine finish but by following the steps above, you should be fine!
Have you any questions regarding our products? Get in touch now.
by sefali | Aug 17, 2018 | Blog
Whiteboard Wallpapers have a definitive advantage over wall-mounted whiteboards. They give you an entire wall for writing, collaborating, and sharing ideas. Some other key advantages of whiteboard wallpapers are:
- It doesn’t stick out from the wall or consume extra space
- Can fit on walls of any size or shape , can be cut around powerpoints or wall fixtures
- It’s easy to install and can be applied to any smooth surface
However, not all writable wallpapers are created equal. You have to bear certain things in mind in order to find the best whiteboard wallpaper for your specific needs. This post will help you identify the best whiteboard wallpaper by exploring the key features.
What constitutes the best whiteboard wallpaper?
The best whiteboard wallpaper needs to have a combination of functional and characteristic features that yield maximum performance without compromising safety. We’ll categorically explore such features and help you make a well-informed decision while purchasing a whiteboard wallpaper.
Functionalities to look for in the best whiteboard wallpaper
The basic functionality of a whiteboard wallpaper is its dry-erase nature. That means you should be able to write on it with dry-erase markers and wipe it clean with microfibre eraser cloths.
- Durability, it must stand up to daily use in an office or classroom
- There should be no staining or ghosting
- Dry-erase markers should run smoothly on the surface
- It should retain its performance for a long period of time.
- You should be able to write seamlessly over the joining edges
Functionalities of a whiteboard wallpaper beyond the basics
The ability to attract magnets is a great addition to the functionality of a whiteboard wallpaper. Imagine how cool a wall would be if you could write on it and stick printed charts, and images with magnets.
- It helps you be more imaginative,
- Allows you to create a better and more well-rounded impression during a presentation,
- And the whiteboard wall can double as a bulletin/achievement board.
You can stick the sales targets, write down a team’s goals for a week, and stick an image of the best performer of the week on the same wall.
This lets you create a wall that you can use for writing as well as for projecting images and videos with a projector. The best part is that you can do both simultaneously.
Project your presentation while writing on and around it. Just imagine the possibilities there in an office as well as in a classroom.
- In a classroom, you could project questions on the wall along with visual cues and ask pupils to write the answers on the same wall.
- In an office, you could use this feature to enhance the creativity of your presentation.
Here is something that ties all the functionalities into one product that can completely transform an average interactive space into a hub of collaboration and creativity. With a wallpaper that turns your wall into a magnetic, writable, projectable surface, you are only limited by your imagination.
The whiteboard wallpaper range by Smarter Surfaces brings you all these functionalities bundled with application kits, DIY guides, and free video consultation.
Safety of the best whiteboard wallpaper
If you are about to install whiteboard wallpaper in an office or a classroom, the safety of the product is to be taken very seriously. You need to choose non-toxic, fire-resistant, environmentally friendly products with all the necessary certifications.
Here’s a checklist to help you choose the safest whiteboard wallpaper
- It is PFOA and PFOS free
- It is certified for fire resistance particularly important if used in an office or classroom. A Class fire certification is best. The best whiteboard wallpapers will come with certification for this.
- Easy to clean
Conveniences to look for while buying whiteboard wallpaper
- It should be easy to install
Apply the adhesive, stick the wallpaper to it and cut through the middle of where the wallpaper overlaps, and you are done. If it is not that simple, maybe you need a different product.
- The wallpaper should come with an installation kit
You need a wallpaper spatula, a pair of gloves to apply the wallpaper and a piece of microfibre cloth to wipe it clean. Look for a brand that sends these along with the wallpaper.
- A detailed application guide
While installing wallpaper is a simple task that you can perform without professional help, there are techniques that make the job easier and the result better.
A step-by-step application guide helps you do everything right. An application video just makes things even easier. Look for brands that can offer you these conveniences.
If you are investing in a whiteboard wallpaper you should be able to use it to its fullest for a long period of time. Smarter Surfaces whiteboard wallpapers come with a 10-year performance guarantee. So, that is something to beat when you are looking at different brands.
A quick recap of the main things to look for in the best whiteboard wallpaper
- A smooth odourless writing surface with almost unnoticeable edges
- Durability will it stand up to commercial use
- Fire safety and environmentally friendly certificates
- Application kit and guides
- Additional features like ferromagnetism and projectability can be sought after
- Product guarantee and easy-to-avail customer support
If you are planning to refurbish your classrooms with new whiteboard walls or remodel your office space to make it more collaborative and fun by installing whiteboard wallpapers, we can offer our guidance through free video consultation. You can send us pictures and videos of your wall and we will guide you to the best whiteboard wallpaper for your needs.
by sefali | Jul 27, 2018 | Blog
Manufacturing of slate chalkboards began in the 1840s and the green porcelain enamel boards first appeared in the 1930s. Despite the dust when using a chalkboard and the chalk dust-induced allergies among students and teachers alike, the chalkboard has been the mainstay of educational institutes for decades. However, it has overstayed its welcome and needs to make way for a superior modern alternative – whiteboard paint for classroom walls.
In the sections that follow, we shall examine the benefits of whiteboard paint for classroom walls over a chalkboard in different scenarios. This will help you make informed decisions regarding the refurbishment of classroom walls in your institution.
How does whiteboard paint for classroom walls work?
Whiteboard paint for classroom walls is a specially designed blend of two different paints that can turn an entire wall into a writable surface. So, instead of hanging a chalkboard or a whiteboard, you can use an entire wall for writing.
After applying the whiteboard paint, the wall turns into a dry-erase surface.
- You can write and draw on it with good-quality markers
- You can erase the writing with a dry microfibre cloth
- You can use cleaners on it to remove stains and permanent ink
- You can have a whiteboard of any colour of your choice
Key benefits of using whiteboard paint for classroom walls
We have already talked about the large surface area to write on and the cleanability aspect. But there is more to having a writable wall in a classroom. It brings crucial benefits for both teachers and learners.
No room for dust
Chalkdust contains calcium carbonate and calcium sulphate. These compounds can create eye irritation, skin irritation and typically dry skin, irritation in the respiratory tract, and mucous membranes. Chronic exposure to chalkdust can have a lasting effect on your lungs.
Whiteboard paint on a classroom wall eliminates the prospect of dust creating a healthier environment for learning. It means
- No accumulation of dust around the corners of the board
- No dusty classroom floors
- No chalk residue on the palms of your hands.
- No triggers for allergies and asthma
- No dry skin on fingers
A smoother writing experience
Whiteboard paint for classroom walls puts an end to broken chalk, cracks in the porcelain, and ghosting on the surface of a hanging whiteboard. The best part is that you can apply the whiteboard paint around the obstructive fixtures on a wall like switchboards.
- It gives you a large surface to write on
- Ensures a clean writing experience
- Leaves enough room for children to write and express
- Overall, turns the classroom into a collaborative space
A smarter surface for interaction
Writing with chalk on a board is a different skill set. Children do not find it easy to write on chalkboards. Add the dust aspect to that and you have an environment that discourages participation.
A whiteboard that hangs on the wall is better than a chalkboard but introduces issues like a shortage of space – especially when small children are trying to write their naturally large letters.
The smart whiteboard range by Smarter Surfaces helps you create a learning environment that is unimpaired by any of these issues. The products, including but not limited to the whiteboard paint for classroom walls, can turn any wall into a write-on wipe-off surface irrespective of its shape and size.
- You get more space to express ideas
- Experience zero ghosting (ink residue on the surface even after wiping off)
- A smooth and enjoyable writing experience
What to look for in whiteboard paint for classrooms
What do we mean when we say good-quality whiteboard paint?
- It should be environmentally friendly with all necessary certifications
- It should be Isocyanate free, there are some low-grade products that use this harmful compound
- It should not have a low odour on application
- It should have no ghosting or staining
- You should be able to use a wide range of markers and cleaners on it
- The application process should not be too complicated
- The paint should come with a guarantee
Here is what the Smarter Surfaces whiteboard paint brings to the table
- A 10-year product guarantee
- Paints that are free of VOC, PFOA, PFOS, and Isocyanates
- LEED, M1, VOC, and Fire-proof certificates
- An application kit that includes everything you need to turn any classroom wall into a sleek writable surface.
- An antimicrobial whiteboard paint that helps you kill a wide range of gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria and creates safer spaces for collaboration.
- Step-by-step application guide and on-call guidance from experts
Is it possible to have a coloured whiteboard in a classroom?
Yes, it is.
All you need is the Smart Whiteboard Paint – Clear by Smarter Surfaces. Regardless of the colour of your classroom wall, one coat of clear whiteboard paint will turn it into a writable dry-erase surface.
Interesting possibilities unlocked by Whiteboard paint
Replacing traditional whiteboards and chalkboards with whiteboard paint opens up some new possibilities.
- You can have a whiteboard of any colour. In fact, you can divide the wall into multiple sections with different colours and turn the whole thing into a whiteboard by applying clear whiteboard paint.
- You can apply a few coats of magnetic paint or apply magnetic plaster before applying whiteboard paint to create a writable as well as magnetic surface
- The matt whiteboard paint allows you to project as well as write on the classroom walls, thus charging the interactive potential further up.
Get expert advice to turn classrooms into collaborative havens
Book a free video consultation and let our experts take a look at your walls. Tell us what you want to achieve, talk to us about your budget and timeline, and our product advisors will offer you the best plan of action. If you face a post-purchase issue regarding a product or need help with the application process, our phone and chat lines are always open.
