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Do you know why an eraser has a blue side? You can use more than just the hard end of the eraser on paper.
That’s what the blue side of an eraser is for
- The history of the eraser dates back to the 18th century, when breadcrumbs were used instead of rubber to remove pencil marks. It wasn’t until the discovery of natural rubber that the eraser as we know it today was developed.
- The two-colored version was introduced later to meet different needs. The soft side is for regular pencils, and the harder side is for more stubborn marks or other surfaces.
- The blue side of the eraser contains coarser abrasive particles. This special composition makes it possible to remove deeper-seated pigments—for example, from ink or ballpoint pen marks—that aren’t just on the surface of the paper.
- In the process, not only is the color rubbed off, but a thin layer of paper in which the color pigments have settled is also actually removed.
How the blue side of the eraser works
You must proceed with caution when using the blue side of the eraser.
- As mentioned earlier, the blue side of the eraser removes entire layers of paper. Applying too much pressure or rubbing repeatedly can severely damage the paper. Therefore, the blue side should be used carefully and precisely.
- The blue side can also be used on other surfaces. On wood, it can remove fine pencil marks or markings.
- On stone or rough surfaces, it helps remove stubborn residue or discoloration. This is especially useful if you want to paint on stones and sketch with a pencil first.
