momof3sons

Help! I would like to make a very simple sign which could be read at night in a fairly dark room. Anyone know whether there is some sort of "marker" type product to write with which glows in the dark? Any other ideas?

Student615

I know there's glow in the dark paint, and googling "glow in the dark marker" yielded lots of results. I imagine the glow 'wears off' of lots of these in a short time, but you'd have to look for product descriptions/reviews to see.

If there's a Michael's (large craft store) in your area, I assume it would be a good starting point.

As long as the text/background contrast is high, the sign is simple, the print is large, and the room isn't totally dark, you'll probably be okay...but a glowing sign would certainly be cooler

Good luck!

emeraldkity4

if there is any light source at all, you might try reflective tape
Reflective Tape IS ReflectivelyYOURS.com - <h1>Reflective Tape Kits - Reflective Tape, reflective decals pinstripes

momof3sons

Student 615, thanks for the idea of "Michael's." There's one about 5 minutes away, but I never would have thought of it since when you look in the dictionary under the word "artistic" and are searching for the antonym, you'll find my picture.

EK, thanks for that suggestion, too. I'm sure there is going to be a bit of light in the room, but wondering if it will need to be shining directly on my sign to have it noticeable. Unfortunately, the room in question is about 200 miles away and i can't check this out ahead of time. Appreciate the suggestions and will probably plan for a couple of options.

Chedva

There are also reflective tapes that keep their glow for a while - they're often used in lieu of night lights. Michael's or AJ Moore (another crafts store) would likely have them as well.

emeraldkity4

I have reflective material on jackets/shoes etc & the way it seems to work is that it reflects any available light .. So IMO the reflective material is more noticeable, outside where it is dark and a light doesn't have to be shining on it.
From my experience, day-glo- or florescent is eyepopping in a room with a bright light source, but with little light won't be as noticeable.

There are paints that actually absorb light however, maybe that is what you are thinking of?
I don't know how long they last though.

mootmom

You might consider picking up lengths of some sort of flexible light/LED strips and gluing them on your sign. Most of them come as individual LEDs but you can also find continuous-length strips that bend into whatever shape you want. Unlikely to be the cheapest option but it will meet the "light up in a dark room" criterion.

Flexible Light Strips Manufacturers & Suppliers
Ready-to-Use Flexible Light Strip
Super Bright LEDs - Flexible Light Bars

"just"aMom

The 99 cent store in our area has those glow necklaces, bracelets, etc. Michaels is sure to have them as well. Can you buy several, and make letters out of them? I don't know what you're trying to spell out, it might cost too much.

momof3sons

"just"aMom-that's exactly what I was thinking about! I've seen my kids come home with them from parties. Only trying to write out a two digit number, so it's not a big deal. Want to keep this "cost effective," , so I'm considering reflective tape idea, fluorescent paint idea, glow necklaces, etc. A lot of the things online are for serious commercial uses and too expensive. I'd like to see, in person, what I'm buying. Thanks again to everyone for all the ideas.

Chedva

How long does it need to last? The problem with glow sticks, necklaces, etc. is that you have to "crack" them to start the glow, and then it lasts only a couple of hours. So if you aren't there to crack them when you want them to start glowing, you're out of luck.