The Ultimate Guide to Markers

Not so long ago, serious artists who aimed to achieve longevity with their art avoided using markers, as they aren’t as fade-resistant as other media. However, these writing supplies, used to create bold, permanent lines on different surfaces (including concrete), became more than a niche tool for graphic designers and manga artists. 

More and more artists, hobbyists, students, teachers, and office workers are attracted to writing tools because of their versatility, convenience, durability, and wide range of bright colours. Whether you’re an artist searching for a marker set for yourself, as a gift for your kid, or want to surprise a teacher for the start of the new school year, here’s what you need to know.

Choose the Right Marker Type

Understanding the various types of markers is essential for selecting the appropriate tool to meet your unique artistic or professional demands. 

Based on Formulation

Depending on the different formulations, there are water-, alcohol-, and xylene-based varieties, each with special qualities that influence blending, drying time, colour intensity, and the surfaces they can be applied to.

Alcohol-based 

Alcohol-based options are known for their outstanding blendability, vivid colours, and rapid drying times. The alcohol-based ink offers streak-free, smooth coverage and is permanent and weatherproof. Thicker paper or marker pads are recommended because of the paper bleed. They might also smell strongly, which can be an issue in areas with inadequate ventilation. They’re best for professional artwork, manga, comics, and graphic design.

Water-based

Because they won’t bleed through paper, these are perfect for stacking and blending. They’re also ideal for beginners and younger painters because they’re non-toxic, odourless, and simple to clean up. However, in addition to occasionally warping paper, water-based options might not offer as vivid a colour saturation as their alcohol-based counterparts. Additionally, if the colours are exposed to light, they may eventually fade. They’re ideal for watercolour effects, calligraphy, bullet journaling, and hand lettering.

Xylene-based

Highly saturated colours and smooth blending are features of xylene-based coloured pens. They work well on various materials, including wood, metal, glass, and plastic, which makes them a flexible option for mixed-media projects. The xylene solvent has a potent smell and can be dangerous if inhaled for extended periods. Furthermore, xylene-based varieties can discolour paper by leaking through it. They’re best used in industrial design, mixed-media art, and producing vivid, striking drawings.

Other Types

Chalk 

These water-based markers create dust-free, erasable lines that are perfect for temporary signage, café menus, and creative projects on glass, blackboards, and non-porous surfaces. Their vibrant, opaque colours can be wiped away easily with a damp cloth, making them a great option for businesses and artists who need a versatile, non-permanent solution.

Solid 

Offering ultra-durable, fade-resistant marks, these solid paint sticks glide smoothly over rough, dirty, or wet surfaces, making them ideal for industrial use, street art, and marking on wood, metal, concrete, and even rusted materials. With a twist-up design and no need for drying time, they’re built for tough environments and long-lasting applications.

Street Dabbers

With their high-flow paint or ink formula, these are squeezable pens, allowing artists to control the amount of ink released, making them ideal for bold, drippy tags and expressive lettering. Their soft bodies make them easy to handle, and their thick, opaque colours work well on smooth and textured surfaces alike.

Street Ink 

Designed for deep, rich blacks and smooth-flowing ink, street ink are a staple for calligraphy, tagging, and dynamic lettering on non-porous surfaces. The permanent ink glides effortlessly over plastic, metal, and coated paper, delivering high-impact results with long-lasting durability.

Acrylic 

With high-opacity, water-based acrylic paint, these markers provide excellent coverage and durability on almost any surface, including canvas, wood, glass, and fabric. Their fade-resistant, fast-drying formula makes them a favourite for mixed-media artists and those looking to create long-lasting, vibrant artwork with a paint-like finish.

Consider Tip Shape

A marker’s tip style immensely impacts how you approach your artwork and the effects you get. The different features of each type of marker tip allow diverse artistic approaches, which can affect line thickness, precision, texture, and variety.

• Chisel. Marker varieties with this tip type are versatile. Depending on the angle at which you hold them, they offer both broad strokes and fine lines, making them excellent for quick fill-in of large areas and calligraphic effects. They’re best for colouring in general, architectural drawings, and graphic design. 
• Fine. These are perfect for drawing precise details, outlining, and line work, as they provide controlled and clean lines. You can also use them in addition to coloured pencils. They’re suitable for intricate illustrations, technical sketches, and detailed colouring. 
• Brush. Mimicking the feel of a paintbrush, coloured pens with brush tips offer smooth and expressive strokes and dynamic line variation. They’re superior in shading, blending, and creating gradients, making them suitable for manga, expressive illustrations, and hand lettering.