Let's be real. Wood burning kinda sucks. It has a steep learning curve and can be really expensive.
We invented the Scorch Marker to make things easier.
Apply your design using the marker.
Then apply heat.
The wood will burn only where you drew with the Scorch Marker!
We couldn't find a way to wood burn using stencils...
SO WE INVENTED A NON-TOXIC FORMULA THAT BURNS WOOD WHEN HEAT IS APPLIED.
Scorch Marker is a wood-burning craft marker that does just that! It's a marker that contains our unique heat-activated liquid!
PRO TIPS:
Make sure your heat tool gets hot enough
If your design isn't getting dark - you probably need more heat.
We recommend the hottest heat gun you can get.
1500 Watts or more – 500°F or more
NO PROBLEM!
You can use other heat sources to make the Scorch Marker work!
Toaster Oven
Direct Flame
Small Cooking Torch
Propane Torch
Magnifying Glass + Sunlight
Broiler
Butane Torch
Cigar Lighter
Heat Press
**Be sure to keep the heat source moving so you don't burn your project!**
Some woods work really well, like Walnut and poplar.
Other woods don't work as well like sugar pine and purple heart.
PRACTICE PRACTICE PRACTICE!
A little goes a long way!
Only a small amount of liquid is needed.
Test the marker on a small area first, before you try it on your masterpiece :)
You have questions, we have answers.
Yes. It is safe. The marker will not leave a harmful residue.
Any finish you like. After burning, your design is permanent and not affected by wood finishes. Be careful with wipe on finishes and burnt wood smears. We use Odie’s Oil, as it’s a natural, oil/wax combo.
Absolutely!
Because the Scorch Marker only burns into the first few layers of the wood, “hot spots” (or burned edges around your design) or mistakes can be removed easily. Simply use a piece of sandpaper like an eraser and watch the problem areas disappear.
Watch the process on TikTok.
The better question is what grain type works best. We prefer to use the marker on endgrain, like wood slices or cookies, but if you can’t do that then go for anything. The burn will always show up better on lighter colored woods. Cheap, rough craft wood is the worst choice. We suggest using woods like basswood, sourwood, pine, aspen, poplar, oak, or even walnut. You might have trouble with dark woods like purple heart, ebony, and wenge. However, it will work great on all woods sold at craft and hobby stores. Don’t forget about paper and cardboard!
Absolutely, just be sure to provide adult supervision and let an adult do the heating.
It’s ok! You can apply your design and come back weeks later to finish the heating process. It will still work.
A very long time. You only need a small amount of liquid to trigger the reaction. Furthermore, we include more liquid in our Scorch Markers than most markers on the market.
Not a problem. Remove the nib, rinse it with warm water, replace it and you’re good to go.
The Scorch Marker doesn’t only burn wood!We have also successfully used this tool on:
Printer Paper, Kraft Paper, Cork, Cardboard, Paper Mâché, Dried Gourd, and Canvas.
Not every surface is safe to burn.
The Scorch Marker is not recommended for wood that has been pressure treated or otherwise chemically altered. Make sure to only burn raw wood, or wood that has been heavily sanded before burning.
You can read more about avoiding harmful woods and surfaces on this blog.
Yep!
A heat gun isn’t the only tool that can get the job done. Large open flames, like a propane torch, can also be used for burning with the Scorch Marker. Smaller flames however, like a lighter, aren’t enough to guarantee the chemical reaction takes place. Our favorite open flame method is using a cigar lighter or a small butane torch. It's so much fun!
You can watch a propane torch craft on TikTok.
Seals, stains, and paints aren’t the only top coat for Scorch Marker crafts!
Poly is another great way to help your projects shine.
Watch this process on TikTok.
Our favorite way to waterproof our crafts is to use a spray can of shellac. Shellac is nontoxic and creates a wonderful barrier to moisture.
Yes! The Scorch Marker is totally food-safe and non-toxic before and after your design has been burned. This makes it safe for use on cutting boards, wooden spoons, and all your kitchen utensils.
Read more about burning your utensils safely on our blog.
They sure can! We even recommend that you finish your heavy-use crafts to keep them protected. Some of the best non-toxic wood finishes that work with the Scorch Marker are:
Odie’s Oil
Lacquer
Polyurethane
No! Wood that has been previously painted or treated releases dangerous fumes when heated. Before ever using your Scorch Marker on painted, treated, or stained wood, it’s important to sand away the finish or chemicals. Scorch Marker liquid must contact raw wood in order to work.
Yes, but with limited results.
The Scorch Marker can burn designs into leather, however, the high heat seems to cause warping. We have had success on some leather and no success on others.
You can see an example of this on TikTok.
Nope. The required temp for the Scorch Marker reaction is 350 degrees. A hair dryer is unable to reach these temperatures. We prefer a 1500 watt heat gun or open flame.
The top reason for a design that never goes black is a heat source that is not hot enough. A heat gun that is at least 1500-watts is recommended for crafting with the Scorch Marker. Preheat the heat gun by leaving it on in a safe place. After a few minutes, blast your design with high heat and it should change color! Some wood is quick, thicker, more wet wood changes slower.
Nope!
You can allow a design to sit for days or even weeks before burning and still achieve the same results. Just be careful not to smear it :)
The best way to achieve crisp, clean lines on all your designs is by sanding.We recommend that you sand to at least 500- or even 1000-grit. But in most cases, 220 grit can work.
Another great way to prevent bleeding is by using only a small amount of liquid on your project. A little goes a long way! Try dabbing your marker on a paper towel before applying it to your craft.
You can read more about achieving crisp lines every time on the blog.
It sure is!
A chemical reaction takes place in the wood between the Scorch Marker liquid and your heat source. This results in a smooth burn into the first few layers of the wood, which can be smelled while crafting.
For this reason, we always recommend that you heat Scorch Marker crafts in a well-ventilated area.
No. An unprotected Scorch Marker craft is susceptible to wear and tear, scuffs, scrapes, and water damage.
In order to waterproof your Scorch Marker designs, make sure to apply a wood finish to create a barrier.
Nope!
Stencils only make crafting with the Scorch Marker easier, but they’re definitely not required.
You can watch a video of us burning popsicle sticks without a stencil on TikTok.
Any stencil can be used with the Scorch Marker!
But, the ones that produce the best results are typically made from vinyl. This is because vinyl stencils adhere to your surface, reducing the risk of mistakes or bleeding.
You can read more about using vinyl stencils in your Scorch Marker crafts on the blog.
Sometimes, when a piece of wood is exposed to heat, it begins to bow and warp. This happens every once in a while due to moisture evaporation, but it doesn’t mean your project is ruined! Simply flip it upside-down after you’ve finished burning your design, then heat the back side evenly. This will help return your wood back to its original, flat shape.
You can see this process on TikTok.
The Scorch Marker can be used on paper, and so can vinyl stencils!
To prevent your stencils from ripping your paper though, it’s important to reduce their stickiness. This can be done by sticking the stencil onto a cloth or towel once or twice before adhering it to your paper.
See the entire process of using combining stencils with paper on TikTok.
Yep!
A temperature of at least 350F is required for the chemical reaction to take place, and this can easily be achieved with a home oven. Simply preheat your oven to 350F, place your wood inside, and bake for about 10 minutes. Then, remove carefully and enjoy! On a side note, broilers can also work really well.
Watch all those steps on Instagram.
