Alcohol markers were once thought to be a poor tool for serious artists. The ink didn’t last long, and the colors weren’t vivid enough.
It’s true that the early versions of markers once produced tacky residue, were easily smudged, and didn’t blend well with other media. However, you’ll be surprised to learn that alcohol markers have come a long way since then.
As artists began to experiment with new media over the years and create higher quality inks, they realized the endless possibilities alcohol markers had to offer. You can blend them, mix with other media, and produce colorfast results that can last for years. Nowadays, alcohol markers are a must-have for any artist’s toolbox.
So, what are the best alcohol markers? The best alcohol markers are made with high-quality ink that is lightfast, quick-drying, waterproof, and easily blendable. They should also come with durable nibs in the right shape for your project and last a long time before drying out.
If you are interested in exploring this versatile media, let’s take a look at some things to know about alcohol markers and how you can buy the best ones for your toolbox.
Best Alcohol Markers – Buyer’s Guide
The first benefit of markers is how beginner-friendly and portable they are. You can easily pack them up and take them on the go, and they’re ready immediately when you take them out of the box, so markers are amazing for sketching or drawing outdoors or on location.
Thanks to the popularity of adult coloring, the demand for markers has also increased significantly. This is why there are so many different types of products on the market.
There are a few types of markers on the market, including alcohol-based markers and water-based markers. All types of markers have dyes that are suspended in either alcohol or water. The difference between these two types of dyes can affect the way they look and perform.
Water-based markers include chalk markers and acrylic paint markers, which can typically be wiped away with water if the ink isn’t yet dry.
Alcohol markers are often referred to as permanent markers because the colors will dry permanently, and there are many other qualities that make them the ideal choice for artists.
Tip Shapes
Alcohol markers come in a wide range of tip shapes; each produces a distinct stroke design, which can help you produce different effects for your artwork.
The nibs help you apply the ink to the paper, so the condition of the nibs is probably the most important factor that you have to consider when picking alcohol markers. If you find that the nib of a marker has dried out, it will no longer be useful.
Thankfully, a lot of brands and products also make replaceable nibs for your markers, which you can use to prolong the life of your markers when the nibs have dried out. When you buy alcohol markers, keep an eye out for whether the brand also sells replacement nibs.
Let’s take a look at some popular tip shapes that you can find below.
Brush Tip
The brush tip resembles a paintbrush, and this design allows you to create both very fine, thin strokes and wide, large strokes depending on how you hold the marker and how much pressure you apply when you color.
The brush tip is the most versatile tip design, which is why markers with brush tips are often more expensive than others.
Chisel Tip
The chisel tip can be used for various purposes. You can apply the flat side to color in a space, or use just a tip to create very thin, fine strokes.
Chisel tips are quite popular in alcohol markers, and virtually almost every other set of alcohol markers will have a chisel tip design.
Fine Tip
If you want to create fine lines and details for your artwork, fine tip markers are great to help you do that. Fine tip markers are great to write or outline with. However, these pens are not great for coloring since they can take a while to cover a large area.
Bullet Tip
The bullet tip is a bit bigger than fine tips but is still commonly used to create lines and smaller details in an artwork.
As you have probably guessed, bullet tip markers are not great when you need to fill in a large area.
Double-Ended Markers
Since each kind of tip design is suitable for a certain purpose, you can actually have the best of both worlds by buying double-ended markers to make more use of the same marker.
Double-ended markers typically come with a large tip on one side and a fine tip on the other, which can help you fill in large blanks and create fine details. This way, you don’t have to buy multiple sets of markers to create the effect that you would like.
Toxicity
Although alcohol markers can sometimes give off a faint alcohol smell, most alcohol markers are actually non-toxic and can be safe to use indoors.
However, if you are buying alcohol markers for children to use, you can take an extra step and check if the markers meet the ASTM D4236 requirements. This is the standard practice of labeling art materials for chronic health hazards, which means you can check for potential health hazards on the markers’ labels to see if there are any harmful chemicals.
Color Range
A set of markers with a good color range helps you achieve a better tonal gradation. It allows you to mix and match different tones to create a smooth transition between the different shades.
Since alcohol markers come in a wide range of colors, ranging from bold to pastel and metallic, you can select the set with the most suitable colors for you.
While you can totally buy a set with hundreds of colors at the same time, the wide range of options can often be daunting. Keep in mind that alcohol markers are quite friendly to blending, so you can opt for a set with a few colors and use blending techniques to transition between colors.
Blending
Blending is a process that can make your artwork come to life. Alcohol-based markers make blending super easy, and the results are often very predictable and simple to replicate.
However, because they tend to dry quickly, you will have to work very fast to create a smooth blend.
Since the colors are permanent, once they dry, you won’t be able to manipulate the colors anymore, which is why working in large areas can be quite tricky. However, you can still layer the colors to create a different tint, but keep in mind that multiple layers of colors can bleed through the paper.
If you want to minimize the bleeding, it’s best to work with thick cardstock paper or layer a piece of kraft paper underneath your work so that the colors don’t bleed into your workspace.
Colorless Blenders
Colorless blenders are must-haves when it comes to working with alcohol markers. Since blending is a great application for alcohol markers, a lot of alcohol marker sets also come with colorless blenders.
Colorless blenders are great not only to mix two colors together but also to help you smooth out the edges of your lines, correct your mistakes, and create ombre transitions for your artwork.
Colorless blenders actually work best when you blend two shades of the same colors together. If there is too much contrast between the colors, the result may not be as seamless.
One trick for working with colorless blenders is to lay down a base of the colorless blender first before applying your alcohol markers. This step will actually slow down the drying time for your alcohol-based ink, which will give you more time to blend and can actually make the blending results better and more seamless.
Lightfastness
All art media, whether it is durable paint or marker ink, will eventually fade once exposed to sunlight and humidity. Lightfastness refers to the media’s ability to resist fading and the wear and tear that can happen when the art is exposed to the elements.
Alcohol markers are considered permanent, so you can expect that their lightfastness is better than other types of markers, such as water-based markers. However, this is not to say that the colors won’t fade over time, as the colors come from dye rather than paint pigments.
If you want to preserve the quality of your art, especially if the media is alcohol markers, it’s best to keep the artwork in a dry and cool place away from sunlight. That’s why a lot of artists store their sketches in archival boxes, which can keep the artworks looking new for a longer time.
Cost
Although alcohol markers are typically more expensive than other types of markers, you really get what you pay for since the colors can blend very smoothly, and the result can last you a long time.
You should also consider the cost of maintenance, including replacing dry and damaged nips or ink refills into account when buying alcohol markers.
When buying a set, it’s worthwhile to take a look at whether the manufacturer actually sells these replacements, so you don’t have to buy a whole new set when you need to replace a certain color. This is especially applicable when you have an artist-quality set that can be a bit expensive to replace.
Best alcohol markers
So what are the best alcohol markers for artists and colorists? While we can all agree that alcohol markers are generally better in terms of quality and ease of use compared to water-based markers, choosing the right set is up to your personal preference.
Let’s take a look at some of our recommendations below.
| Rank | Product | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Copic Ciao Markers | Premium quality, brush and bullet nib, 36 colors |
| 2. | Winsor & Newton Promarker Essential Collection | Chisel and bullet nib, 48 vibrant colors |
| 3. | Spectrum Noir Triblend Alcohol Markers | 3 shades per marker, 24 markers, bleed-proof |
| 4. | MMFB Arts Double-Sided Marker | Dual-tip, blendable, 40 colors, traveling case |
| 5. | Caliart 100 Colors Artist Alcohol Markers | 100 colors, smudge-free, colorless blender |
| 6. | WEISBRANDT Alcohol Brush Markers | Flexible brush tip and chisel tip, 48 colors |
| 7. | Arteza Alcohol Brush Markers | Dual-tip chisel and brush, 36 colors |
| 8. | Ohuhu Pastel Markers | Brush/chisel tips, fade-resistant, 48 colors |
| 9. | Shuttle Art Markers | Dual-tip chisel and bullet, 30 colors |
| 10. | Chaffit Alcohol Permanent Markers | Fine/wide dual-tip, 80 colors, storage bag |
| 11. | Dual Tip Alcohol Based Art Markers | Dual-tip bullet and chisel, smear-proof |
| Bonus | Sanjoki Alcohol Brush Markers | Dual-tip brush and chisel, 120 |
1. Copic Ciao Markers
We couldn’t write an article about the best alcohol markers on the market without mentioning Copics! If you’re already familiar with this medium at all, we’re sure you’ve heard of them.
They’re premium-quality markers known for their vibrant and wide range of colors, as well as their fantastic blendability, among many other notable qualities.
While Copics can be outside some artists’ personal budgets, these markers are a fantastic investment not only because they are great quality, but also because they are refillable, which saves you money in the long run if you plan to get the most out of your markers.
While Copic has several different marker lines, we chose their Ciao markers because they come in 358 colors, have a lower price tag than the Copic pros, and even come with a versatile brush tip on one end with a precision bullet nib on the other.
This makes them perfect for a variety of different projects, including shading, lining, hatching, blending, and filling. But if you’re looking for a different type of nib, don’t worry – Copic nibs are interchangeable, so you can choose the perfect ones for you!
2. Winsor & Newton Promarker Essential Collection
Winsor & Newton promarkers are an exciting addition to any artist’s kit. These markers are beloved by professional artists everywhere because of their superior performance, and you’ll see why when you experience the smooth-flowing, colorfast ink in each application.
These dual-tip markers pack a ton of versatility into a single marker, featuring a fine bullet nib for sharp, detailed lines and a broad chisel nib for full coverage and multiple line widths.
The vibrant alcohol-based inks give incredible tonal range and vibrancy with no bleed-through or feathering of fine lines.
Every marker is formulated to provide superb, vibrant coverage on plenty of different surfaces – from lightweight papers to canvas and boards. This set comes with 48 essential colors, which are more than enough to help you explore the range of your creativity.
3. Spectrum Noir Triblend Alcohol Markers
Spectrum’s Noir 3-in-1 alcohol-based markers are a must-have for artists everywhere.
Each marker packs three different shades: a light, mid, and dark shade of the same color so you can create a wide range of tones in your project. So, although the set only comes with 24 markers, you can multiply the color range by 3!
The markers come with fine bullet tips that are perfect for outlining and sketching. These versatile markers also feature waterproof, quick-drying alcohol ink that prevents smudging and bleed-through, ensuring bright colors that last.
With many vibrant shades available in this versatile collection, you can really create stunning artworks without having to worry about mixing and matching colors.
4. MMFB Arts Double-Sided Markers
The MMFB Arts Double-sided Markers are double-sided markers with a broad chisel (approx. 1-6mm) and fine point (approx. 1mm) nibs. This means you can both fill in large areas in a short time AND add fine details to your artwork.
Their alcohol-based ink dries instantly, which means you can avoid nasty smudges when coloring, and they blend well for gradation effects, making them the ideal choice for any art project!
This set of 40 markers come in a travel carrying case that’s easy to keep tidy, so you don’t have to worry about what to do with your markers when you need to put them away in an instant.
5. Caliart 100 Colors Artist Alcohol Markers
From subtle pastels to bright and vibrant, the Caliart marker collection includes a broad range of 100 colors, which includes 99 shades, and a colorless blender, which makes blending super simple and smudge-free.
The strong pigmentation means that they are suitable for mixing and blending for a wide range of applications.
The dual-tip design provides you with both a broad chisel nib and fine point nib, which is ideal for both coloring and fine detailing.
The alcohol-based ink dries quickly and provides vibrant colors for all your projects.
Once dry, the result is permanent, which means the colors will become quite smudge-proof and waterproof. This set of markers is perfect for creating fine artwork and decorative pieces, and you can totally take them on the go!
6. WEISBRANDT Alcohol Brush Markers
With these Weisbrandt alcohol markers, you can get instant color, perfect coverage, and rich effects with your artwork.
The markers come with dual tips. The flexible brush tips allow for expressive and freestyle drawing, and the chisel tips allow you to create an infinite range of strokes and edges.
This is a lovely combination that allows you more than just one type of application, which really lets your creativity shine.
This set comes with 48 vibrant colors, plus two blending markers so you can create bold new color blends and combinations.
The set also comes with a handy carrying case, which makes it perfect for taking with you on the go.
7. Arteza Alcohol Brush Markers
The Arteza Alcohol Markers are ideal for anyone – from beginner to experienced artists.
They are made with odorless and non-toxic alcohol-based ink formula, so you can enjoy the benefits of the alcohol markers without worrying about any toxins.
This set features 36 double-sided markers, with both a chisel tip and brush tip that makes them ideal for coloring, drawing, illustrating, and blending.
The beautiful ink quality means the colors are easy to blend and create beautiful gradients that don’t smudge, which makes practicing and creating your artworks really seamless and pain-free.
8. Ohuhu Pastel Markers
If pastel is your favorite palette, then this set is definitely for you. Ohuhu’s pastel alcohol markers are great for just about any project.
The duo-tip design gives you a brush tip and a chisel tip, which give you two types of application in one marker, so you can shade in larger areas with the brush tip or write with the chisel tip.
The high-quality, alcohol-based ink formula is perfect for blending two colors together to achieve beautiful shading effects.
You can enjoy more than 48 pretty pastel colors and create your own blends using the blender marker that’s included in the set. The alcohol-based ink is both fast-drying and fade-resistant, creating bold lines for beautiful coloring results.
9. Shuttle Art Markers
Mark up the pages of your sketchbook or decorate a school project with these ultra-bold and easy-to-use Shuttle Art Markers.
This set includes 30 vibrant colors that can be applied by either one of the duo tips for a wide range of applications.
These pens feature a 4mm broad chisel tip for quick coverage and a 1mm fine bullet tip for detailed lines. The small round barrel design makes them comfortable for both school kids and adults to use.
These unique, colorful pens, which come in a variety of shades, are long-lasting, quick-drying, waterproof, smear-proof, and fade-resistant.
The quality is just what you expect from a durable set of alcohol markers, which can serve you in all types of art projects going forward.
10. Chaffit Alcohol Permanent Markers
This beautiful and practical set of alcohol markers comes in 80 colors, producing beautifully lightfast and waterproof results.
Each marker has a fine tip (1mm) and a wide tip (6mm), enabling maximum versatility whether you’re creating fine lines or filling large areas with color.
This set is perfect for anyone who enjoys arts and crafts, especially beginners. The ink is non-toxic and acid-free, and of course, you can expect the ink to be smudge-free and quick-drying when you use the markers.
This extensive set can be neatly organized with the included PU leather zipper bag, so you can take your collection on the go whenever you want.
11. Dual Tip Alcohol Based Art Markers
Create an artistic masterpiece with these dual tip alcohol-based art markers. This pack contains 30 vibrant, eye-catching colors that are easily blended to create new shades.
The pigmented and vibrant markers can create artworks that are highly colorful, with beautiful, long-lasting colors.
The ink is acid-free, non-toxic, and smear-proof. The dual tips: 4mm broad chisel tip for quick coverage and 1mm fine bullet tip for detailed lines – give you a wide range of applications to experiment with when you want to let your creativity shine.
Bonus: Sanjoki Alcohol Brush Markers
The Sanjoki Artist Alcohol Brush Marker Set features a collection of 120 dual-tip markers, giving you a wide range of colors to express yourself.
Featuring dual tips that provide finer details or bold lines, this creative marker set will be perfect for your creative needs. The set also includes a colorless blender to help you make the most of the colors provided.
The alcohol-based premium ink dries quickly and is smudge-resistant and fade-resistant, offering a smooth application that can let your creativity shine.
A foldable carrying case comes with this alcohol brush marker set which makes it easy for storage and safe for travel.
The Benefits Of Using Alcohol Markers
Besides creating a quick-drying and permanent result, there are many reasons why alcohol markers are preferred by artists.
Alcohol-based markers are commonly used for creating shades, tints, and ombrés, and they can blend smoothly and predictably, compared to water-based markers. When the colors are overlapped, water-based markers can appear a bit streaky, whereas alcohol-based markers produce better results when layering colors.
Since the result is permanent, the colors can be quite fade-resistant. From our experience, alcohol markers also come in a wider range of colors, which is a great plus for colorists and artists alike.
There are some downsides to alcohol markers, of course. Since the ink is suspended in alcohol, there can sometimes be an unpleasant alcohol smell when you use the markers. The ink can also bleed through the paper if you use several layers of colors at once, so they are not great to use with double-sided coloring pages.
