@Matt Sonnenburg I was always told the same thing and like you see it all the time amd wonder myself. Never think to ask. I’ve actually had a friend help me do some layout and sewing for a boat not knowing he used sharpie A few months later bled through everywhere and had to replace half the boat. Been scared to since.

I use sharpies on foam all the time and have not had an issue. I believe the foam soaks it up and also have sew foam between foam and material. I never use on any material though cause when I first started I did once and every mark bled through. Curious on others experience?

Thanks Kurt, thats what I am wondering is if the sew foam makes a difference.

I only use if I've got sew foam going over the top.

During my education I once had the case that the lines I made with a marker on the foam were already visible after a few weeks. Whether this happened depends on many factors... similar to ballpoint pens. What color is the vinyl? how thick is the vinyl? Is the marker waterproof or not? What colour is the marker? I had the case that I used a black "cheap" marker and through the white vinyl only the red part of the black color came through. I have been using Edding Permanent Markers for years now. And I haven't had a problem since.

@Jens Jesberg that’s what happened with the boat seats my friend did. I think the moisture didn’t help at all from being a boat, but the vinyl was a tan or lighter color. When the marker bled through it was a reddish purple also, not black like he said he used. I believe he used an actual sharpie marker.

I so use a variety of markers but I just started using Crayola ultra clean washable markers. Best thing I have found for marking anything. Washes out pretty easy and so far no bleed through.

I use china markers to mark foam. I will never use sharpie on the foam for my projects. It will bleed! ... Okay so maybe you'll get lucky and it won't bleed through your sew foam ... but maybe it will. Why take the chance. Just use a china marker, crayon, or some other type of washable marker.

If I had employees I would ban sharpies, and ball point pen for all but the secretary. Violation of the ban would result in 2 week suspension minimum.

Black china markers
colored china markers

I've used them for bst part of ten years on sew foam and been fine.

@Andy Laird so I have been using china markers. My problem when I have white material backing or white sew foam I use black, red or yellow china markers. It ends up staining my white thread, I end up with yellow or pink thread from my marks. How do you avoid that?

I only use china markers to draw layout lines on the seat foam. In other words nothing that would be sewn through. I use the silver pens for marking vinyl and leather and chalk for cloth.

Matt Sonnenburg — Matt Sonnenburg

Just another thought. If you need to mark your sew foam, try a graphite construction pencil. I have used pencil to mark at times also. Though I'm not sure what it would to white thread if you sew through it., but you could test it out. Pencil generally wont mark well on the face of vinyl, but it works good on the backing. It works well when sewing tuck n roll when marking the back of the vinyl.

This white pencil from Miami works real good for marking the back of leather, vinyl, and cloth. I also use it for design layout on abs panels. They also have a blue fabric pencil but I have not used that one.

When doing white or very light colors that need stitching, like pleats, Sew the line straight using a different reference mark on the sewing machine feet. That way you are not sewing directly over the line and clean up is easier. I knick the top of my presser feet with a Dremel cutoff wheel. Makes a very small “aiming point” if you will, and never runs off. The black feet have a shiny spot at the cutout and the silver feet can be marked with a dab of color. Just don’t forget to pattern accordingly if you plan to sew off of center for pleats

I regularly use Silver sharpies. Has anyone had a problem with these?