Tips on how to revive writing on a plastic label?

Question

I've been finding dozens of plastic labels what were written with a sharpie that are now faded beyond readability. Since I didn't write them, I don't know what is planted there. I was wondering if anyone has any tips on how to revive the writing.

Answer 1

The writing is probably lost forever.

I can think of two things that might work if you are very lucky:

• Look at the label from a very flat angle in good, preferably diffuse light. Sometimes there is a trace that can be seen as “textural difference”, e.g. more or less glossy than the label itself.
• If you have access to a black light (UV light), go into a dark room and try that. Sometimes the traces of the writing become visible.

If neither works, feel free to ask a lot of ID questions here. Please post them each as separate questions, though!