If you’ve ever reached for a fabric marking pen and then hesitated — Will this wash out? Will it disappear too soon? Will I still see it tomorrow? — you’re not alone.
Not all fabric marking pens behave the same way, even when they look similar. Below is a practical guide to the Chaco / Adger water-erasable and Chaco Ace pens, including blue, pink, purple, and white, and how to choose the right one for your project.
The Two Main Types of Pens
Before we look at colours, it helps to understand the two different behaviours these pens fall into.
1. Water-Erasable Pens
These stay on the fabric until you remove them with water.
They do not disappear on their own.
✔ Ideal when you want marks to stay visible
✔ Best for longer projects
⚠ Must be washed or damp-erased
2. Air-Vanishing + Water-Erasable Pens (Chaco Ace)
These will fade over time and can be removed immediately with water.
✔ Great for temporary markings
✔ Useful if you don’t plan to wash straight away
⚠ Timing varies depending on fabric, humidity, and temperature
The Pens at a Glance
| Feature | Blue Water-Erasable | Pink Chaco Ace | Purple Chaco Ace | White Chaco Ace (for dark fabrics) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best for fabric colour | Light fabrics | Light/medium fabrics | Light/medium fabrics | Dark/black fabrics |
| Visibility on fabric | Good on light • poor on dark | Good on light | Good on light | High contrast on dark fabrics |
| Air-vanishing (fades on its own) | ❌ No | ✔️ ~1–7 days | ✔️ ~5–14 days | ✔️ ~1–14 days |
| Water-erasable | ✔️ Yes (main method) | ✔️ Yes | ✔️ Yes | ✔️ Yes |
| Erasable with eraser tool | Optional | ✔️ Yes | ✔️ Yes | ✔️ Yes |
| Typical disappearance timing | Stays until washed | Short (days) | Medium (days) | Short (days) |
| Best use summary | Marks you want to stay until washing | Temporary marks that fade quickly | Temporary marks that last a little longer | Clear markings on dark fabrics that fade or wash out |
Pen-by-Pen Breakdown
✏️ Blue Water-Erasable Pen
This is your reliable, stay-put marker.
- Designed for light-coloured fabrics
- Lines remain until you deliberately remove them with water
- Excellent for quilting lines, construction marks, and longer projects
Choose this when:
You want full control over when the marks disappear.
✏️ Pink Chaco Ace Pen
The fast-fading option.
- Marks usually disappear within a few days
- Can also be removed instantly with water
- Great for quick layout or short-term stitching
Choose this when:
You want markings that won’t hang around for long.
✏️ Purple Chaco Ace Pen
The slow-fading cousin to pink.
- Similar behaviour, but lasts longer before vanishing
- Ideal if you work on a project over several days
Choose this when:
You want temporary marks, but not too temporary.
✏️ White Chaco Ace Pen (for Dark Fabrics)
The problem-solver for dark cloth.
- White ink shows clearly on black, navy, and deep colours
- Fades over time like other Chaco Ace pens
- Also water-erasable for quick removal
Choose this when:
Coloured pens simply don’t show up on your fabric.
A Few Important Tips (Worth Reading!)
- Always test first on a scrap of the same fabric
- Don’t iron over marks before removing them — heat can set some inks
- Vanishing time varies with humidity, fabric type, and temperature
- White pens may look slightly softer once dry — this is normal
Final Thoughts
There’s no single “best” fabric marking pen — only the best pen for the job.
- Want marks that stay? → Blue water-erasable
- Want marks that fade? → Pink or purple Chaco Ace
- Working on dark fabric? → White Chaco Ace
Keeping a small selection on hand means you’re always prepared, no matter what fabric or project you’re working on.