Freak369's Full Review: Sharpie 20374: Accent Mini Highlighter Four Color ...
It was only a matter of time after Sanford release the Sharpie Mini before other products in their catalog were made into mini versions. The Accent Highlighters are some of the best around for durability, price and performance so it made sense the Sanford would try them in a mini format to see if they would sell. Being an office supply junkie as soon as I saw them I knew that I had to get them and try them out but they have the same pros and cons as the Sharpie Minis. They are, for all intents and purposes, the same as a regular Accent highlighter only in a smaller size with a smaller cap. In regards to the similarities to the Sharpie Mini, they do look the same, have the triangular metal attachment loop and body design. It all boils down to whether or not you can handle the size of it and what exactly you plan on using them for.
Sanford Sharpie Accent Mini Highlighter
How does an Accent differ from a regular highlighter? First, Sanford relies heavily on their patented ink technology to pimp out their brand of highlighters. They claim that they have less smear occurrence than other highlighters and can be used on almost any type of paper. I will agree to a certain point on that; they do smear less than other brands but no highlighter can ever claim to be completely smear or smudge proof. The Accent Mini works best on copy bond, text books and loose leaf but you can try it out on any paper that you like. As far as ink compatibility, it can be used on almost every ink from your run of the mill stick pen to gel inks. I do not recommend it for use on any type of lead as you are almost guaranteed to have it smear and end up on the tip of the highlighter and then you are stuck trying to rub it off on a piece of scrap paper.
Each set comes with a green, orange, yellow and pink highlighter; these colors are loud and bright so if that isn't what you are looking for from a highlighter then go with something else. The yellow one is so bright that sometimes it is hard to spot on a page unless you make a few passes with it and that can lead to smudging and smearing of the ink that you are trying to highlight. The pink and orange do work the best from this assortment but the green, well, it is more of a lime color than a true green. None of the colors are bad, the yellow does work best on paper that is off white than regular loose leaf of text book or workbook paper. Newsprint is iffy; sometimes it works great, sometimes it smears what ever ink has been used. If you have any concerns try a test piece to see how the paper and ink do with the highlighter, that is pretty much the only way you are going to know for sure how the Accent Mini is going to perform. The ink is the same that is featured in the regular Accent; it dries quickly, doesn't squeak on most paper and is non-toxic.
About the only true con to this product is the size of the barrel; I know, I know, I bought them knowing that they were mini versions so I really shouldn't complain. These are made for convenience, something that you can pull out of your backpack or pocket and use for a few lines but not something that is going to be practical for using when highlighting passages or large sections of text. I am sure that the Accent Mini could do a larger job but because there is about half the ink reserve inside the highlighter you aren't going to get the same long life that you would from a full sized version. You can get the four pack of Accent Mini Highlighters at large office supply stores. I grabbed this one for three dollars at Staples but I have seen them for as much as five dollars a pack which is a rip off.
The Bottom Line
Highlighters are something that most people take for granted until they really need one. I use them almost every day but I have to admit, the brood use them a lot more than I do. I gave them a pack of these to try out and they liked the way that they performed but had the same complaint about the small size of the cap. These are nice to have if you travel for business or have to make trips to a print shop and need something that is dependable to highlight text. The tip is strong and chiseled so it will last a long time even if you are someone that pressed extremely hard when using them. The Accent Mini was an inevitable thing, with the popularity of the Sharpie Mini Sanford would have been crazy not to try the same format with other steady sellers in their product family. They are a nice thing to have around but not as cost effective or easy to use as the full size version.
Mini highlighters are convenient for carrying or attaching to bags, backpacks and three-ring binders. Features Smear Guard ink technology to resist sm...More at Discount Office Items
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