I need to write names on plastic. Any idea so it stays? They are small clips.

bold colored Sharpie? They usually work on everything. Some times you have to write it on there and not touch it until it dries.

Yeah, I'd say a Sharpie also...one with an extra fine point.

TG

Ok, I will give that another try. I just don't want it to wipe off over time. Nothing worse than getting a cootie and not be able to figure out what it is. I did write my name on the side of the rubber so at least they will know who's it is. I'm getting to the point now where I'm writing the names of the stamps in my book along with an image so if any one asks I don't have to say "hmm, can't remember".

Thanks for your input you two.

Personally, I'd use paint or nail polish. Sharpies can wipe off easily... even if they don't wipe off, they can scratch off easily over time. Sharpie makes a paint marker that should be easy to write with.

As for nail polish, an old Girl Scout trick when making foil packs (food that you put in a foil pouch and throw in the coals of the fire) is to write your name on the foil with nail polish so you know which one is yours. Nail polish is one of the only things that will not burn off in the coals of the fire. I Googled nail polish pen and found these. I'm sure they would write easily on plastic too.

The silver "metallic" Sharpies work great! I buy the three packs from Staples. If you're concerned about it wearing off, cover the writing with a small piece of clear, heavy-duty packing tape.

Pete

Thanks! I will keep the metallic sharpies in mind. I hit Walmart this morning looking for the fingernail pens. I took one out of the box and it didn't even write on the cap.... BUT as I was reading the box, it said to use a coat of nail polish first. That got me thinking. If I put a coat of clear nail polish on the plastic, it might get the sharpie to stick better and keep from rubbing off. I put the $7 dollar pen back, pick up a new thin sharpie that doesn't smear when dry and decided to come home and do some experimenting. I'll keep you posted.

If I put a coat of clear nail polish on the plastic, it might get the sharpie to stick better and keep from rubbing off.

Maybe put another coat of clear nail polish on over the sharpie after it's dry to help keep it from wearing off.

Oh, I forgot to let you guys know what happened. The nail polish made the sharpie not work. :( Then I had the same idea, AFF, about coating the sharpie with clear nail polish afterwards. Do you think I could find any around my house? Nope! Nothing. Only white. I've been cleaning and normally don't paint my nails.

In the end, I gave up. I put the sharpie directly on the plastic and called it good. If it last for two people, I'm happy. My name is on the side of the stamp so hopefully, I can help them figure out which one it is if it becomes a problem.

Thanks for everyone's help. If someone comes up with something that works on plastic and stays, please let me know. I'm having more fun carving the tiny stamps than the bigger ones. The pink stuff seems to be perfect for this type of stamp.

Could you scratch/etch the name on the plastic somehow??

Scratch/etch? Now that's a thought. Might work with solid color plastic. I used to have a wood burning tool years ago. I should look around and see if anything like that might work for engraving. Might be a nice way to get your name to stay on a cloths pin. :D

Great idea. Thanks for the thought!

There is a marker called Slick Writer that is permanent, like Sharpie ... but formulated for slick surfaces - It works great! I buy mine at the craft store.