Writing effect: What is it? And what can you do about it?
Dark matte are very sensitive to light mechanical touch.
This is due to the fact that inks with dark shades have a very high pigment content, which are not completely coated by the binder. In the case of matte inks, the surface of the ink coating has an open, porous structure. This means that a light spot can be seen at the slightest touch. This is known as the writing effect.
With glossy inks, the writing effect does not occur because the surface of the ink does not have an open, porous structure and the pigments are thus protected from mechanical stress.
What to do to remove the writing effect?
If you have a writing effect on the wall, you can gently wipe it off with a damp microfiber cloth. However, you should not apply too much pressure, otherwise the pigment structure will be changed even more.
Matt, dark paint without a writing effect - is that possible?
If you don't want the writing effect on matte, dark shades, we recommend the Dead Flat color from Farrow & Ball. This chalk varnish, or emulsion varnish, has the same mattness as the Farrow & Ball Estate Emulsion and just a little more rolling texture. In return, Dead Flat has no writing effect.