BrandlandUSA

America’s authority on legacy brands. News and comment on classic brands and advertising.

BrandlandUSA header image 2

Where is Flair’s ElMarko?

May 20th, 2008 · 13 Comments

By Garland Pollard

Apparently, the “bold vivid color” of El Marko watercolor markers, made by Flair, were not long lasting enough. The pens have disappeared, though Flair pens survive, made by Newell Rubbermaid’s Paper Mate division.

In 1955, Paper Mate became part of Gillette. The Flair was launched in 1966. Gillette’s Stationary Products Division became part of Newell Rubbermaid in 2000. No word on when El Marko disappeared.

More branding stories of interest:

MG Revival Succeeds in China
BrandlandUSA: 20 Rules to Preserve Your Brand
Some Interesting Branding Topics, Plus DePinna
History of Bogdon's Candy Sticks
Thinking about the Votomatic Brand
History of Dritz, a Great Sewing Brand

Tags: Brand History

13 responses so far ↓

  • 1 Matt // Dec 22, 2008 at 4:05 pm

    I have a red El Marko permanent marker that I bought in junior high around 1970, I believe. It still works!

  • 2 Will // Jul 6, 2009 at 7:08 am

    I sorely miss the old El Marko brand red marker.

    I use colored markers to color code the tabs on my manilla file folders. With the old El Marko I got got a nice red color, but it was translucent enough that I could still read what I’d written on the tab. On the other hand, the “Marks-A-Lot” brand, which seems to be the only brand available around here, is so dark and opaque that it obliterates whatever I’ve written on my tabs :o (

  • 3 Anthony Gallego // Jul 15, 2009 at 11:21 am

    I have the green el marko and yes it is translucent…

  • 4 Anthony Gallego // Jul 15, 2009 at 11:25 am

    I HAVE THE GREEN EL MARKO MARKER AND YES IT IS TRANSLUCENT…

  • 5 Anthony Gallego // Jul 15, 2009 at 12:26 pm

    AG HAS GREEN

  • 6 Sam H // Jan 14, 2010 at 12:26 pm

    I have a Navy Blue El Marko Permanent Marker By PaperMate. I can’t remember when i got it, but I DO know I was in Elementry School. I am now 48 years old and YES it works GREAT. The cap is air tight and it last and last!

  • 7 frank // Sep 24, 2010 at 7:04 pm

    Am looking for information on an El Marko advertising campaign built around a Zorro theme. Any information would be apprciated.

  • 8 Lori Rogers // Jan 9, 2011 at 8:46 am

    Wow, El Marko is one of the first markers I had around
    1971, I was six. Does anyone remember the Mead black and while
    illustrated folders you could color in with markers? Usually they
    had a psychedelic design

  • 9 The Macalope Weekly: FUD. It's what's for dinner | WP DemoWP Demo // Jan 29, 2011 at 9:18 am

    [...] sitting in the cafeteria eating out of a brown paper bag with “Microsoft” written on it with an El Marko by Microsoft’s mom. The company saw some of the PC sales volume being replaced with tablets and [...]

  • 10 Mariano Corral // Feb 4, 2011 at 5:33 am

    I’m a Landscape Architect, I still my last 4 El Marko Pen are 24 years old. It still works.
    I have save them like gold. But my red color is starting to fade as I use it occassionally when the drawing is important for me. The nib was perfect. The thickness was just the right size.
    How I wish they bring it back. What can we do for the comapny to bring it back. There are millions of artists that miss this pens. What a marketing and bussiness blunder.

  • 11 Gary Glover // Aug 30, 2011 at 3:07 pm

    I still have several El Marker markers. As they dry out I refill them with food coloring. It works. Don’t over do it. Try about six drops. Let it set about 15 minutes and test it. If it isn’t wet enough, try six more drops and test again. If you over do it, it really makes a mess, but if you follow this procedure, it is no mess at all. –Gary

  • 12 Gary Glover // Aug 30, 2011 at 3:09 pm

    This is for the WATER COLOR ONLY.

  • 13 lee harvey haight // Jan 22, 2012 at 9:05 pm

    heyare you people paying attention? anthony gallano has a GREEN one!! and yes, it IS translucent,

Leave a Comment