What Types of Highlighters Are Available?

Highlighters come with felt or polymer tips that absorb ink from the cartridge for marking text or writing notes. The predominant style is a chisel tip, basically, a rectangle that’s crosscut on an angle at the tip, providing a broad edge for highlighting, and two opposing points for finer writing or marking. Highlighter markers can also have bullet tips, with a conical shape tapering to a point, also for finer writing and marking. The third style is a blade tip, consisting of a chisel tip that’s beveled on one side or both. The tip lets you highlight text more quickly at a steeper angle to the page, plus gives you a point for finer marking and a long sharp edge for underlining text. Manufacturers also offer other innovative tips that build on these three basic designs.

Highlighter barrels define the style of the pen. The most familiar style is a tank highlighter with a cylindrical cartridge. The other is a stick highlighter, with a longer, slender barrel. Caps of stick highlighters normally come with pocket clips, so you can clip them or attach them conveniently to clipboards or books. Both tanks and sticks come with the three types of tips. Manufacturers offer some unique innovations with both styles. TRU-RED tank and stick highlighters have rounded edges and flat sides, an innovative “squircle” barrel that provides an alternative grip to the traditional rounded tank. It also keeps the highlighting markers from rolling off work surfaces. Ticonderoga® stick highlighters have an easy-release thumb button on their caps to quickly remove the caps.

What Are the Top Features of Highlighter Markers?

Many highlighters are manufactured with odorless, nontoxic inks, which makes these highlighter markers safe for users of all ages. This non-toxic ink, including the gel and pigment-based ink in some highlighters, comes in five basic colors. The vast majority of highlighter markers are bright-hue fluorescent colors that include yellow, pink, orange, light blue, green, and purple. Fluorescent yellow may be the most common highlighting color, but pink highlighters may be the most popular, not just for distinctive highlighting, but also for evocative, visually compelling handwritten notes.

Many highlighter brands have developed special ink formulations to prevent their inks from smudging highlighted text. That means the inks won't smudge whatever text you're highlighting, including inkjet documents, handwritten notes in pen or pencil, or newspaper and magazine copy. In addition, manufacturers also offer ink formulas that resist drying out. The point tips of many highlighting markers can retain ink for up to eight hours or more if left uncapped.

Why Should You Shop for Highlighters?

Stocking up on bulk highlighter markers saves time and money. Single-color packs of highlights ensure you never run out of your favorite writing supplies at home and on the job. Choose highlighter packs available in multi-color sets that offer choices for creative and organizational projects. Remember to equip students and coworkers with plenty of extra writing implements so they don't take yours.

Most manufacturers offer highlighters in packs of a dozen, both in individual colors and in assorted-color packs. They often provide three yellow highlighters, two each of blue, pink, green, and orange, and one purple, recognizing their frequency of use. Many brands also offer cost-saving bulk packs of 24 and 36 tanks and sticks. The array of highlighter sets provides the right options for individual or group use at work or school. Always have a highlighter marker on hand when you need it most.