Had to pick between a $2 Sharpie and a $5 paint pen for labeling storage bins in my garage last week

Went with the Sharpie. Thought it would be fine. Two days later the labels are fading already on the plastic bins. The paint pen might've been overkill but at least it'd still be readable. Should I just bite the bullet and redo everything with the paint pen? Has anyone else had Sharpies fail on plastic?

2 comments

2 Comments

patricia421d agoMost Upvoted

Have you noticed how so many things these days are made to last just long enough to get you through the initial use? It's like there's this pattern of planned failure built into everyday products. The Sharpie on plastic thing is a perfect example, it works great on paper but they know most people will use it on bins or labels. I'd honestly go with the paint pen if you want it to stick around for more than a season. It's a little extra effort now but it saves you from having to redo everything in six months when the Sharpie ghosts you.

jamie_clark1d ago

planned failure built into everyday products" nah man that Sharpie just wasn't meant for plastic lol