Marker and gel

A wood burning marker or gel is a different route to the same look. The fluid is drawn or scraped onto bare wood and then heated, and the heated area turns brown. The maker of the Scorch Marker says the reaction needs about 350 F and recommends a heat gun of at least 1500 W, preheated. A hair dryer does not get hot enough. Scorch marker vs wood burning pen compares the two methods.

The method is strongest with stencils. Gel and paste are thick enough to scrape across an adhesive stencil without running, which puts crisp letters on a sign far faster than a pen can. The weak points are bleed and tone: the fluid spreads along the grain on soft or rough wood, so fine sanding matters, and the result is one flat brown with little real shading.

Treat it as a chemical process. Heat the piece in a well-ventilated area, wear eye protection and raise the heat gradually and evenly. Brands describe the fluid only as a heat-activated compound: what wood burning paste is explains what has been published about it. The guides to gel and paste and heat guns list the products.