What Can I Use To Write On A Mirror? (6 Art Supplies)

Writing on a mirror can be a fun way to express yourself or get motivated through a quote or reminder written down on the mirror while getting ready for the day.

The main aspect to concern yourself with when writing on a mirror is the surface of the mirror. Because of its slick and reflective surface, writing with a regular pen is unlikely to work.

If you’ve ever wanted to write on a mirror to leave a cute note or a reminder for yourself or someone else, there are a couple of great tools you can use to do so.

The most popular supplies you can use to write on a mirror are whiteboard markers, paint pens, acrylic paint, neon dry-erase markers, chalk markers, or sharpies. These methods are cheap and easily removable.

When purchasing any of these supplies, consider the colors, size, and shape of the tip of the markers. This will help indicate which marker or tool will be best for the type of writing or artwork you’d like to create on the mirror.

In this article, you’ll find a complete breakdown of each solution that will work for you. Browse through them all to find the one that will help you achieve your desired result.

How To Write On A Mirror

Paint Pens

Paint pens come in acrylic, oil-based medium, or water-based pigment ink that can be used on glass, wood, metal, plastic, and ceramic.

These pens are also available in vibrant colors which can be used to create bold and artistic artworks.

Using these pens to write on a mirror will instantly stand out due to their vibrancy. They are also water-proof and quick-drying.

If you’re looking for a permanent means of writing on a mirror, paint pens are your best option.

Posca pens are particularly a popular and worthwhile brand to try.

Acrylic Paint

For writing or drawing on a mirror, you could always opt for using acrylic paint itself with a brush.

Acrylic paint does not require a primer, and you’ll have no problem painting on the mirror especially if you use an acrylic or enamel craft paint but generally, any glass paint will work well even on a mirror.

This paint is best known for its fast-drying time and its low cost. Acrylic paint is also a really fun medium to play around with and you can literally use them on any surface.

Neon Dry Erase Markers

Another type of marker you can use to write on a mirror is a dry-erase marker.

These are erasable markers, which makes them ideal if you don’t want a permanent finish but they do work well for sticking on a reflective surface since they’re made from alcohol and resin.

They also come in vibrant colors and you can leave a fun and beautiful message on the mirror without having to worry about it leaving a permanent mark or a stain.

Chalk Markers

Chalk markers can be used on glass, windows, boards, and mirrors, and with their chisel-shaped tips, you can create just about any design.

You’ll have loads of fun decorating and writing on a mirror with these markers and they leave a vibrant and highly pigmented mark that will impress you with the finish.

The great thing about these markers is the quick drying time and smooth application, which makes it a pleasurable experience to write on the mirror.

Also, these markers can also be erased and removed with water so cleaning up is a quick and easy process.

For a cool and fun effect, you could get glow-in-the-dark chalk markers instead where anything you write or draw on a mirror will glow at night.

Alternatively, get these Kassa white chalk markers that are specifically designed for surfaces like glass, windows, and mirrors.

Sharpies

Sharpies are another medium you can use to write on a mirror. If you already have a set, try it for yourself.

This is a great option if you’re looking for permanent ink and these markers can also be used on just about any surface.

This is a quality marker that can be used on a project and surface while also lasting a long time.

It’s definitely worth buying and there’s a beautiful assortment of colors to choose from.

Whether you just want to write a word or create an explosive artwork on the mirror, consider using sharpies.

White Board Markers

Whiteboard markers can also be used to write on a mirror or glass. They’re incredibly cheap and ideal for writing especially with their sharp pointed tip. The only downside to this tool for writing on a mirror is its vibrancy.

Some markers may not look as vibrant or bright when you write on a reflective surface like a mirror but for quickly jotting something down or drawing a smiley face on the bedroom or bathroom mirror, a whiteboard marker can definitely be useful in this aspect.

You also don’t have to invest in a fancy marker set if you’re going to remove the words anyway.

Things You Can Write On The Mirror

So, now that you know the best materials you can use to write on a mirror, you might be curious about the various things you can write. Here are a few suggestions that might spark your creativity:

Reminders – Quickly write down important reminders on the bathroom mirror the night before of things you need to do or get, so as you get ready, the reminder is right there. Or if you want to leave a sweet message for someone to wish them a great day, write it on the mirror using the marker.

Notes – If an idea comes to mind or you need a spot to write down something important, grab a marker and write it on the mirror. You can also leave notes for your partner in the mirror.

Quotes – On the mirror, write an inspirational quote or word. This could help bring a smile to your face or get you or someone else motivated and inspired before you head out.

Calligraphy Text – Practice calligraphy to write in a fancy way on the mirror. This will make anything you write look creative and artistic.

Take a look at this awesome tutorial by Diasimple on mirror calligraphy:

Things To Draw or Paint On A Mirror

For those that are looking to draw or decorate the mirror, there are a couple of awesome things you can paint or draw on a mirror that will make it look great:

Flowers

Flowers are a popular and pretty thing to decorate and draw on a mirror. You can create a beautiful spread or painting on the mirror that looks impressive.

The easiest and best flowers to draw are lavender flowers, sunflowers, poppies, or daisies. You don’t need any fancy artistic skills to draw these flowers.

Check out this exciting mirror painting by Pastel Palette by Tanya:

Leaves

Leaves are also really easy to draw and you can quickly create a lovely image or border framing the mirror. You can also use a leaf drawing to fill up empty spaces within your drawings.

Butterfly

Draw a pretty butterfly on a mirror or a couple of smaller ones. This can be drawn alongside the flowers and leaves.

Hearts

A simple red heart can also look great on a mirror. Accompany it with a quote or a cute message.

Sky/Clouds

Create beautiful artwork on the mirror by painting a blue sky with white clouds. 

You can use a large paintbrush to paint the sky and then use a sponge to dip into the white acrylic paint to create the clouds or you can draw the clouds using a paint marker.

Add a small half-moon along with a few stars to finish it off for an aesthetic look.

To give you a quick idea, take a look at these gorgeous paintings done by ColorByFeliks using acrylic paint:

Conclusion

Using a sharpie, whiteboard marker, chalk or dry-erase markers is the best way to write on a mirror.

This is an affordable, easy-to-use, and removable method that is ideal for writing down a motivational quote or quickly leaving a note on the mirror.

For more permanent options, using paint pens, acrylic paint, or a permanent Sharpie is the best way to go.

For a surface like a mirror where the paint or ink will stick, these options work reasonably well.

The fact that these markers are available in so many vivid colors and will make a bold statement on the mirror is an added bonus.

Whether you want to write a few words on the mirror or create an entire art piece using any of these supplies, it’s sure to leave you impressed.  

See also:

How To Cover A Mirror In The Bedroom: 9 Best Ideas