Dry Erase Magnetic Board - Whiteboard Information

A whiteboard (also known as a wipeboard, markerboard, dry-erase board, dry-wipe board or a pen-board) is a name for any glossy surface, most commonly colored white, where non-permanent markings can be made.

Sometimes, whiteboard is being used to refer to a computer software applications that simulate whiteboards. Virtual whiteboards allow one or more people to write or draw images on a simulated canvas. This is a common feature of many virtual meeting, collaboration, and instant messaging applications.

There are four types of materials commonly used for whiteboard surfaces:

* Melamine: Melamine is a resin-impregnated paper which is typically used over a pressboard substrate. This type of whiteboard writing surface is the least expensive and therefore is sold in many office supply stores

* Painted steel or aluminum: These surfaces consist of paint sprayed on a steel or aluminum surface. These types last longer than a melamine whiteboard surface. Painted surfaces tend to be smoother, which leads to better erasability.

* Glass or Magnetic Glass: Glass whiteboards can be used with dry erase or permanent markers and do not retain any "ghosted" inks.

* Hardcoat laminate: This type of surface is less porous and highly resistant to staining. Hardcoat laminate surfaces are less common than other whiteboard surfaces, because they were developed within the last decade. Most hardcoat laminate whiteboards have a lifetime surface warranty against surface staining, because this type of surface does not absorb dry erase or permanent marker ink.

* Porcelain, enamel-on-steel: These surfaces are ceramic (glass) which is fired onto a steel surface in a kiln. They are the most durable surfaces and most carry a lifetime warranty. The surface is highly scratch resistant, although materials harder than glass (like diamond) can scratch it. Because there are so many different recipes for porcelain, erasability varies on this material. These types of surfaces do not absorb dry erase or permanent marker ink. Porcelain surfaces allow the use of magnets.

Advantages Of Using WhiteBoard

* Whiteboard ink markings are less susceptible to external factors, such as water, because the ink adheres in a different manner than chalk does to chalkboards. Using markers does not generate the dust that comes from using and erasing chalk, allowing their use in areas containing dust-sensitive equipment. Some who are allergic to chalk or are asthmatic use whiteboards as an alternative.

* A whiteboard can be used as the projecting medium for an overhead or video projector. This allows the person giving the presentation to fill in blanks, edit, underline and make comments by writing directly onto the whiteboard, which in turn shows through the projected image. Proper dry wipe boards are high gloss to enable the dry marker ink to be wiped off easily and high gloss surfaces will reflect the projector light, creating a so called "hot spot", a glare back from the board. Semi-matt whiteboards are better suited for projection but more difficult to dry wipe clean.

* A dry erase marker is easier to hold and write with. This can benefit persons with limited mobility in their hands, such as those affected by diseases such as arthritis or systemic lupus erythematosus. In addition, marking on a whiteboard takes less time, effort, and pressure than marking on a chalkboard.

* Like chalkboards, whiteboards help to save paper.

* When compared to a chalkboard a whiteboard can have significantly more colors because markers have a greater range of color than chalk.

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