Nobo Whiteboard Buying Guide
Everything you need to know to buy the whiteboard for your office, school or home.
Why should you buy a whiteboard?
Whether it’s collaborating with colleagues, engaging with students or mind-mapping your most creative ideas, the whiteboard is the unsung hero of innovation, communication and problem solving. Whiteboards allow individuals and groups to capture thoughts, relay action plans and communicate messages effectively. With such a wide variety of applications comes an equal breadth of options to choose from.
With a long life span when treated appropriately, mini whiteboards to giant whiteboards are likely to become a permanent fixture for many years. To make sure you choose the correct whiteboard for your specific needs check out the important questions below to help you make your decision.
1. Surface
What whiteboard surface type do I need?
One of the most important factors to consider when selecting a whiteboard is its surface. Whilst all whiteboards look understandably white, some have different qualities that would suit different circumstances. Different surfaces affect ink removal and staining, so make sure to pick the best whiteboard surface by using our guide below.
Glass whiteboard
Quality glass whiteboards are widely regarded as the best whiteboards for erasability, durability and resistance to ghosting. The unique qualities of glass make it the best whiteboard surface for performance and longevity.
Due to their stylish design many of our customers use Nobo glass whiteboards in customer facing environments, such as conference rooms and receptions.
Glass whiteboards offer superior styling opportunities such as frameless whiteboard design and board colour options making them a stunning addition to the modern office environment. Nobo glass whiteboards are also magnetic enabling them to double as stylish glass noticeboards.
Enamel whiteboard
Also known as ceramic or porcelain boards, enamel whiteboards are a popular choice for frequent use, such as in schools or corporate meeting rooms.
Good enamel whiteboards feature a strong and flat magnetic steel core covered by an enamel coating. Nobo enamel whiteboards are treated to deliver an ultra-smooth, hard and easy to clean surface. Enamel whiteboards are extremely resistant to ghosting when maintained with a suitable cleaning regime are the perfect choice for everyday use.
FAQs
Whiteboards require regular cleaning to keep them looking white. Not maintaining a board surface can result in ghosting, ink stains, ink smears and a dull grey board appearance. Dependent upon your whiteboard surface, frequency and type and of use, your whiteboard will require more or less cleaning. Put simply: the better the surface, the less cleaning and maintenance it needs in order to retain its clean, bright and fresh out of the box appearance.
To help you keep your whiteboard in the best possible condition, Nobo has a wide range of cleaning products. We offer a range of erasers, wipes, sprays, microfibre cleaning cloths and foam cleaners, all designed specifically for cleaning your whiteboard without damaging its surface.
Remember…
- Always use a clean eraser
- Always erase when ink is dry rather than wet
- Cleaning spray or foam and cleaning cloth to lift the dirt away from the board surface
- Use the right dry erase marker pens for your whiteboard surface
Ghosting occurs on dirty whiteboards when pen or eraser movement cleans some of the dirt away leaving a whiter board surface. The harder and more durable the whiteboard surface the more resistant it is to ghosting. That’s why glass whiteboards combat ghosting best. On porous surfaces such as melamine, whiteboard marker ink is far more likely to penetrate the surface and stain the board.
- Frequent intensive use without appropriate cleaning
- Erasing the board with a dirty eraser/cloth that simply moves ink around the board rather than removing it
- Leaving ink on the board longer than necessary which gives the ink more time to penetrate the board surface
- Erasing ink before it is dry as wet ink residue will smear
- Using industrial whiteboard cleaning solutions that strip protective layers
- Poor quality dry wipe markers
Nano Clean™ steel whiteboard
Unique to Nobo, the Nano Clean™ steel whiteboard is a painted steel surface finished with an innovative nanoparticle coating that delivers a smoother surface for a longer lasting whiteboard that is easier to clean.
The nanoparticle treatment fills the small voids and discrepancies that some painted steel whiteboards can suffer from. The coating stops any ink particles from getting caught in these small voids and penetrating the surface too deeply.
The Nano Clean™ steel coating is so effective at delivering a flatter and more durable writing surface that it offers increased erasability and resistance to ink stains, pen marks, scratches and dents when compared to a standard painted steel whiteboard.
Melamine whiteboard
The affordability of Melamine whiteboards makes them a popular choice for locations with infrequent use and no requirement to fix documents with magnets.
When not cared for correctly a melamine whiteboard can quickly start to show traces of ghosting and may need to be replaced sooner than other whiteboard surfaces would.
That said, if you’re looking for a functional whiteboard for occasional use a melamine board may be the perfect option for you.
FAQs
Whiteboards require regular cleaning to keep them looking white. Not maintaining a board surface can result in ghosting, ink stains, ink smears and a dull grey board appearance. Dependent upon your whiteboard surface, frequency and type and of use, your whiteboard will require more or less cleaning. Put simply: the better the surface, the less cleaning and maintenance it needs in order to retain its clean, bright and fresh out of the box appearance.
To help you keep your whiteboard in the best possible condition, Nobo has a wide range of cleaning products. We offer a range of erasers, wipes, sprays, microfibre cleaning cloths and foam cleaners, all designed specifically for cleaning your whiteboard without damaging its surface.
Remember…
- Always use a clean eraser
- Always erase when ink is dry rather than wet
- Cleaning spray or foam and cleaning cloth to lift the dirt away from the board surface
- Use the right dry erase marker pens for your whiteboard surface
Ghosting occurs on dirty whiteboards when pen or eraser movement cleans some of the dirt away leaving a whiter board surface. The harder and more durable the whiteboard surface the more resistant it is to ghosting. That’s why glass whiteboards combat ghosting best. On porous surfaces such as melamine, whiteboard marker ink is far more likely to penetrate the surface and stain the board.
- Frequent intensive use without appropriate cleaning
- Erasing the board with a dirty eraser/cloth that simply moves ink around the board rather than removing it
- Leaving ink on the board longer than necessary which gives the ink more time to penetrate the board surface
- Erasing ink before it is dry as wet ink residue will smear
- Using industrial whiteboard cleaning solutions that strip protective layers
- Poor quality dry wipe markers
2. Size
What size whiteboard do I need?
Once you’ve selected your whiteboard surface you are ready to start to hone in on the right board for you from the whiteboard sizes available.
We understand that visualising whiteboard sizes isn’t always easy and is a common dilemma for many when trying to make a decision. Let us help you make the right decision.
Widescreen whiteboards
Nobo widescreen whiteboards are championed by our customers for a variety of reasons.
Customers often draw comparisons in regard to size with their flat screen televisions at home, giving a great visual representation.
Furthermore, widescreen dimensions encourage people to use all the space available on a whiteboard and compliment most wall mounted devices in modern meeting rooms, schools and offices.
Large whiteboards
Large and giant whiteboard sizes are often requested for open areas and shared workplaces.
The largest whiteboard Nobo offer is 2.4m x 1.2m and is often used by our customers as a large collaborative whiteboard in group settings.
Many offices utilise our large whiteboards to create and develop new ideas and solutions for their business.
Small whiteboards
Our smallest whiteboard is known as a whiteboard tile and measures 30cm x 30cm. Many of our customers utilise their small portable whiteboards or mini whiteboards as a memo board for reminders, phone numbers and ‘to do’ lists.
However, they can also be used in educational environments to allow children to display answers on or to plan methodology.
Mobile whiteboard
Mobile whiteboards are great solutions for flexible workspaces, multi-use rooms or conference venues.
Mobile whiteboards feature integrated lockable castors which means users can easily wheel the mobile easel from room to room.
Flipchart easels
Easels that include an integrated whiteboard surface are very popular. Whiteboard easels with flipchart pads are ideal for workshops and training sessions where concepts, ideas and thoughts can be quickly captured and revisited.
As they are portable to store and easy to use they are often used as temporary signage or to display agendas or seating arrangements.
Whiteboard Size Reference Guide
Download our whiteboard size reference chart to help you select the right size for you.
Our scale chart provides you with an easy way to compare our widescreen and classic format whiteboards from 30x30cm to 1200x2400mm and everything inbetween.
FAQs
Whether you will be wall mounting your whiteboard or somebody else will be doing it for you, the benefits of a good wall mounting system should not be discounted. Mounting a large whiteboard, particularly through corner holes, can be a cumbersome task, and in the past required two people if the perils of a poorly mounted, slanting and misaligned board were to be avoided.
At Nobo we’ve tackled this problem with our Invisamount™ whiteboard wall mounting system. With Invisamount mounting the whiteboard is mounted onto a mounting rail. This makes it simpler to mount the whiteboard and provides for a flush fixing against the wall. It also is neater and aesthetically better looking than the traditional mounting system.
Most whiteboards are magnetic, but it’s important to check the specifications of any board you are considering buying before making your final choice. A magnetic whiteboard can also be used as a notice board. Magnetic accessories it can allow you to stick pens, erasers and magnets to the board. All Nobo whiteboards and glass whiteboards are magnetic with the exception of melamine whiteboards. So, with such a wide choice of magnetic whiteboards the answer is to select the best surface, size and style for your specific needs.
3. Design
What colour whiteboard and frame style is best for me?
Where your board is going to be placed will help determine whether it needs to be aesthetically pleasing. For instance, the whiteboard used in a warehouse is going to be vastly different from an office whiteboard you purchase for a modern meeting room or a classroom whiteboard for a school.
Whiteboard design has developed over the years and now there are stylish and modern options that are in keeping with the interior design of offices, conference venues and meeting rooms of today.
Frameless whiteboards
Glass whiteboards, with their elegant and frameless design, are the perfect choice if you’re seeking a premium board aesthetic befitting of a modern office. A frameless design makes the board appear as if it were floating, accentuates the sense of space in any room and can encourage free thinking.
Trimmed whiteboards
If you’re seeking a sleek modern look but do not feel that glass is the right surface for you look for a board with minimum trim. Nobo’s slim frame trim is just 6mm wide, thinner than many flat TV bezels. Not only does a narrow frame provide a minimalist design it also maximises the writing space offered by the whiteboard.
FAQs
Nobo offers super slim trim Enamel, Nano Clean™ steel and Melamine whiteboards as well as frameless glass whiteboards.
Nobo Glass Whiteboards are available with white, blue, red and black surface colours.
4. Accessories
What accessories can I use on my whiteboard?
Although Nobo boards come with pens and magnets to get you started, there are a number of additional whiteboard accessories that can enhance the way you use your whiteboard.
Pens & Markers
There are a range of whiteboard pens to choose from, available in a variety of colours. Whiteboard markers are suitable for many surfaces including glass, but to have a better stronger colour on glass use special glass board markers.
Nobo’s best-selling Liquid Ink pens feature a pump action to keep the ink (and your ideas) flowing when the pen is used upside down, as is often the case. Our Liquid Ink pens also feature a reservoir window, enabling you to see how much ink is left in the pen.
Whiteboard Magnets
An often colourful addition to your whiteboard, magnets can be used to pin notices or plans when working on a project.
Gridding Tape
For anyone comfortable with the orderly layout of a spreadsheet, gridding tape comes in a small applicator and can be used to draw semi-permanent grids on a whiteboard. Gridding tape comes in useful when planning a staff rota or shift pattern.
FAQs
Nobo glass whiteboards are made from safety glass but are also magnetic. Be aware though that thickness of the glass influences how strong your magnets need to be. Unfortunately many standard office or fridge magnets won’t work on a glass whiteboard. Unlike connecting through a thin layer of whiteboard paint, standard magnets lack sufficient force to attach through the glass. Look for Nobo Glass Whiteboard Magnets which have sufficient magnetic force to attach to magnetic glass boards, especially if you intend to use it as a memo board.