Refillable markers such as the PILOT V Board Master are made to higher quality standards, offering easy-to-use refills for greater value. The dry marker problem is solved by changing out a cartridge in mere seconds — after which the marker takes just a few minutes to recharge before it’s ready to write — so you can keep writing and experience minimal workflow interruption in the classroom or boardroom. And that’s just one of the many reasons to consider a switch to reliable, high-quality markers.
Key Takeaways
Disposable whiteboard markers tend to dry out quickly, resulting in poor reliability and causing frustration in the office or classroom.
A high-quality refillable marker offers a sustainable solution to always having a marker ready to go. The PILOT V Board features a simple refill system, and it takes just seconds to replace a cartridge and keep writing without mess or fuss.
The V Board Master offers reliable everyday writing in a variety of fun, engaging colours, while the V Board Master S offers finer writing in three different colours.
High-quality refillable markers such as the V Board range offer high-quality release agents, creating a reliable barrier between the ink and the board to help prevent staining and smudging.
Why Refillable Whiteboard Markers Matter Now
While it depends largely on the individual teacher or team, those who prefer whiteboard markers tend to burn through them fast. Some speed through multiple markers in a single week, which can make disposable markers more expensive in the long run.
These more traditional disposable markers can’t be refilled, contributing significantly to plastic waste and budget strain, which doesn’t mesh well with current policies in Australia pushing us towards more eco-friendly products, like the ban on single-use plastics.
In part, that’s why most teachers and parents prefer refillable whiteboard markers. They often last longer (certainly longer than any lower-quality disposable marker), are easy to refill, and can keep going long after other markers get tossed in the bin. Refilling markers is also less costly than buying new disposable markers every week, in most cases.
So you need a marker that really lasts, that offers convenient refills, and won’t break the budget. That’s where the PILOT V Board range comes in.
How the PILOT V Board Refillable Markers Solve Real-World Challenges
The PILOT V Board range comes with a variety of options, so you can choose the exact marker that fits your style and purpose. The entire V Board range is easily refillable, offering cost-efficient, high-quality markers.
They’re also designed to be low-odour and feature a handy transparent ink window that lets you know when a refill is needed. Their standout feature is their excellent visibility and innovative Twin Pipe Feed System, which ensures consistent ink flow right down to the last drop — so there’s no tracking while writing, just smooth, uninterrupted lines every time. You’ll never be caught by a surprise dry marker again. It’s little wonder that it’s considered one of the best whiteboard markers for schools.
So, while refillable markers are certainly worth it for the writing experience, cost-saving, and quality, which marker in the range should you choose? Here’s a breakdown of the two main markers and their purpose.
| Feature | PILOT V Board Master | PILOT V Board Master S |
|---|---|---|
| Barrel Size | Standard | Slim |
| Tip Type | Medium (Chisel or Bullet) | Extra-fine (Bullet) |
| Line Width | 2.3mm (Chisel), 1.5mm (Bullet) | 0.5mm |
| Colours Available | Black, Blue, Red, Green, Orange | Black, Blue, Red |
| Dry Erase | ✅ | ✅ |
| Visible Ink Window | ✅ | ✅ |
| Leak-proof Design | ✅ | ✅ |
| Refillable | ✅ | ✅ |
| Refill Type | Cartridge (WBS-VBM) | Cartridge (WBS-VS) |
| Recycled Materials | Cap and barrel made from 93% recycled materials | Cap and barrel made from 80% recycled materials |
V Board Master Whiteboard Marker
The PILOT V Board Master is the staple of the range, offering excellent daily reliability. They come in a variety of colours, and refills are easy to get and quick to replace. You can also choose between a chisel tip and a bullet tip, depending on your preference for daily use.
Finally, the Twin Pipe Feed System allows for some of the smoothest ink flow you’ll find, allowing reliable use day in and day out. A solid contender for the best everyday-use marker.
V Board Master S Whiteboard Marker
The PILOT V Board Master S is a slim-body marker, ideal for tight spaces on smaller whiteboards. It offers an extra-fine bullet tip in black, blue, or red ink for extra precision and finer writing. It also features an easy refill system, a narrow barrel, and the visible ink window found in the V Board range.
Overall, the V Board Master S is best for adding fine detail to your whiteboard presentation, or for writing smaller numbers (exponents, anyone?) on a maths or science subject. They can easily stand up to daily use, but they’re best at adding fine detail instead of everyday writing.
The full V Board Master range is built to high-quality standards and offers fast and convenient refills to help make the most of your class time or meeting.
So, how does the refill system work, exactly?
How to Refill a PILOT V Board Marker
First off, gone are the days when refill ink was sold in bottles, causing a mess every time we tried to refill. V Board refills are sold in sealed cartridges and can be inserted directly into the barrel of your marker. A simple click into place, no leaking or dripping.
All you do is remove the old cartridge by gripping it firmly and twisting it anti-clockwise. Place the new cartridge into the slot and twist it clockwise. That’s it, you’re ready to keep writing.
This means the body of your PILOT V Board marker can be reused many times over its long lifespan, saving on costs and waste.
The cartridges can be bought in bulk and stored for quick, easy access whenever the need arises. So, whether you’re looking to replace markers for an entire department or for personal use, refills make the most sense.
Finally, the V Board assorted pack gives you instant access to five different colours, including black, making it a great starting point for any avid whiteboard user.
What Teachers Value Most
Making school fun for kids can be challenging, and there’s no magic bullet to engage young minds. However, bright, colourful markers can make a difference – and even the slightest difference can make an impact.
Having just a few reliable markers can help colour-code and engage kids, but also prevent the common frustrations of running dry mid-lesson and having to dig through drawers to try and find a working marker. Or, even worse, opening a fresh pack of disposable markers only to be met with scratchy or dry markers.
Finally, being able to wipe a board clean and have a truly blank canvas, no stains, is one of the small joys of life. A quality whiteboard, when paired with quality PILOT V Board markers, has very little chance of staining. A quick weekly clean is often enough to keep your whiteboard pristine for a long time to come.
Setting Refillable Markers up for Success
Making the personal switch is dead easy. Simply get hold of a pack of V Board markers and get going. However, when starting a school or office-wide switch, things can be more challenging, and getting management’s buy-in could take more work.
Our advice is to start small. Identify a few teachers or a department that uses a lot of markers and issue a few trial packs. Ask for feedback and relay this back to management and to other teachers or departments.
Once you have proof that your new markers offer a better experience, more convenience, and potentially even a huge cost-saving, the rest should happen quite smoothly.
There’s often a fair amount of red tape we need to get through in cases like this, but in the end, the switch will be worth the effort.
Why Some Markers Stain Even on High-Quality Whiteboards
As a final point, we’d like to share why some markers stain whiteboards, while others wipe away clean. The secret to this is in the quality of the markers’ release agents. This is a special layer that applies between the ink and the board, forming a layer to prevent direct contact between the ink and the board.
Cheap markers often contain lower-quality release agents, and may even contain toxins – always check your markers are xylene-free. These lower-quality release agents fail to form a solid layer, and the ink manages to stick to the board itself, causing ugly stains.
Higher-quality boards are more resistant to this, but even then, it can be a pain to successfully remove all the ink. A high-quality marker, when used on a high-quality board, can be removed effortlessly with a simple eraser, no chemicals needed.
To keep your board in great condition, we still advise giving it a good clean with a whiteboard cleaner at least once a week. This ensures that dust and other porous forms of dirt get wiped away and don’t affect the performance of your whiteboard.
In the end, cheap disposable markers simply aren’t worth the effort and frustrations that they cause.
Simple Swap, Big Benefits
Switching to high-quality, refillable markers is basically a no-brainer at this point. It helps reduce cost, and it helps boost confidence in your tools. They work on demand, every time.
When you’re ready to explore the switch and experience premium whiteboard markers that can change the way you teach or run your meetings, have a closer look at the PILOT V Board Master range here.
PILOT V Board Master whiteboard markers are available from all major office product suppliers.
About Author
Stephanie Janolo
At Pilot Pen Australia, she bridges the gap between digital and timeless writing instruments. Beyond the realm of pixels and algorithms, her inspiration strikes in the form of art, museums and lyrical narratives of Taylor Swift.
