Paint markers are ideal for when you want to do some painting but don’t want the mess that comes with using actual paint. You are given the same effect as you would when using paint but in marker form, which many people prefer.
When it comes to coloring, there are some great paint marker options, but you do have to put some time into choosing the best one for you to ensure that you are happy and comfortable using the markers and that your artwork turns out beautifully.
So, which are the best paint markers for coloring? The best paint markers for coloring will contain quality ink that applies opaque and well pigmented onto the page, and which have a comfortable grip to make coloring enjoyable. It is also worth looking for paint markers with dual nibs, to give you more versatility when coloring.
Choosing the best paint markers for coloring does require some thought, so to help you out, we have gone through everything you would need to consider when picking out the best paint markers for coloring, as well as the best options on the market!
How To Choose The Best Paint Markers For Coloring
Below are the factors you need to consider when choosing which paint markers would be the best option for you:
Quality Of The Ink
One of the most important factors that you need to consider when picking out paint markers is the ink that the paint markers are made with.
Quality ink makes such a big difference when it comes to coloring in with paint markers, and low-quality ink will just be quite disappointing.
High-quality paint ink will have good opaqueness and have good pigment, to give you a vivid effect and bright colors, along with consistency throughout. A good ink will also have a short drying time too.
The ink should also be suitable to be used on the surface you would want to use it on, whether it be on paper, card, wood, or when coloring in on canvas.
How your coloring turns out will be heavily dependent on the quality of the ink that the markers are made with.
Color Options
Have a look at the color options in the marker range. You might not be buying all of the colors yet, but it is definitely worth choosing a paint marker brand that offers a variety of colors, as you never know what you might need later on.
You do not want to be restricted by colors and then have to change brands of paint markers halfway through your artwork.
There are many different sets that you can choose from, whether it be pastels, primary colors, etc., but it is a good idea to start with a set that has 15 colors or more, just to have your bases covered!
Quality Nibs
Other than the ink quality, nib quality is the next most important factor. First, think about what you will be using the paint markers for. If you are using them for coloring, then fine-tip paint markers will not be ideal.
Bigger, thicker nibs are better for coloring in large areas, but you might also want to keep a few finer nibs for smaller details and lettering.
Along with nib type, you need to check how durable the nibs are. They should not become squashed or misshapen after a few uses, or you will not get coloring accuracy. Some low-quality nibs can even begin to fray, which makes it nearly impossible to work with.
Quality nibs will last for a long time, and give you even, consistent painting and coloring.
Comfort
When coloring, you do not want your hand and fingers to become uncomfortable and fatigued, so finding paint markers that are comfortable to hold and use for extended periods is really important.
Ease Of Use
Paint markers are different to other types of felt tip pens, where you have to prime them before using them. Most often, you need to shake the pen and then press the nib down to get the paint flowing, which is easy enough to do, but some lower-quality pens require more to get going.
You do not want to have to spend half of your creative time prepping your paint markers before you start coloring in, so look for paint markers that are effective and easy to use!
Type Of Paint Marker
You will notice that there are two main types of paint markers, either water-based or oil-based. Water-based paint markers are great for paper, card, and canvas, and they can be cleaned up using some water too. They do tend to be more liquid-like, but this should not be a problem.
Oil-based paint markers are thicker and their consistency is more viscous, and they can be difficult to work with. Oil-based paint markers do take more priming, but they can be longer lasting than water-based paint, and the paint will not fade quickly.
Dual Tips
Many paint markers are dual-tipped, which means one end has a thicker nib for coloring in larger areas, and the other has a thinner nib for finer details.
These are really great to have to give you more versatility with how you color in and draw with the paint markers, but if you are just going to be using the markers for coloring large areas, then it isn’t a necessity.
Why Should You Choose Paint Markers?
Most people might default to using normal felt tip pens or pencil crayons for coloring in, but choosing to use paint markers has many benefits.
Paint markers usually have better ink quality, and the ink is more vivid and more opaque, and longer-lasting too. Using a paint marker, and feeling the ink move onto the page seamlessly is also wonderfully satisfying too!
The Best Paint Markers For Coloring
Below are our top picks for the best paint markers for coloring. We have included a range of our favorite options, so you are sure to find one that is best for you!
| Rank | Product | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Uni Posca Paint Marker Set | Bold opaque paint markers, work on any color surface |
| 2. | TFive Paint Pens Paint Markers | Vivid colors, oil-based, water-resistant |
| 3. | Arteza Real Brush Pens | Watercolor or dry-brush, 24 colors, precise control |
| 4. | Niutop Acrylic Paint Pens | Oven-proof, dishwasher-safe, water-based, vivid colors |
| 5. | Artistro Acrylic Paint Markers | Medium-broad tip, transparent barrel, opaque rich color |
| 6. | Niji Acrylic Paint Pens | Water-based acrylic, non-toxic and odorless, 26 colors |
| 7. | Upgrey Paint Pen Markers | 50 colors, oil-based, fade-resistant |
| 8. | Betem 24 Colors Dual Tip Paint Pen Markers | Dual-tip, odorless, acrylic-based ink |
| 9. | Ivsun Premium Acrylic Paint Markers | Acrylic-based, dual-tip, non-toxic ink |
| 10. | Dapawin Paint Permanent Paint Marker | Permanent acrylic paint, broad tip |
| 11. | Teemoon 12 Pack Acrylic Paint Marker | Water-based acrylic, use on multiple surfaces |
1. Paint Pens Paint Markers
The Paint Pens Paint Markers are made with oil-based, non-toxic waterproof paint that has been designed to last.
There are 12 vibrant colors in the pack which can be used on paper, wood, card, rocks, canvas, wood and more, giving you so many options with what you can color and decorate.
With 4mm tip diameter and 2mm line thickness, you can color in larger areas, and use the nibs for finer details too, making it an ideal painting set to use without all the mess that real paint brings.
Each marker is filled with 5ml of premium Japanese acrylic paint ink, and once painted, the ink is water-resistant, fade-resistant and super quick drying, so your artwork will last for the longest time.
The smooth flow of the ink is also such a pleasure to use and will make coloring in so much more enjoyable.
2. Arteza Real Brush Pens
Arteza have created some amazing paint markers, and this pack contains watercolor paint markers, so you can create watercolor effects without actual watercolor paints being used.
These premium paint pens offer richer colors and more flexible tips, which gives you consistent results. There are 24 pens in one pack, which gives you a wide variety of colors to choose from.
You can use the pens with water to create a watercolor effect, or you could use them without, for a dry-brush painting effect, giving a more opaque finish to your coloring.
With precision control, you can achieve fine pastel finishes and light shading or solid colors, giving you complete control.
Created by artists, these pens are really great to keep in your art box, and you will love the free flow and versatility they give!
3. Niutop Paint Pens Rock
These are water-based paint markers with a fine tip which gives you the ability to do really detailed pictures and color in smaller areas to create a masterpiece. The nibs offer a smooth flow, and once applied, the paint dries quickly and weather-resistant.
There are 24 vibrant colors included in the pack, including silver and gold. The paint applies to almost any surface, such as paper, card, rocks, wood, metal, canvas, fabric and so much more. The paint is also dishwasher safe and oven-safe and will stay as bright as ever.
Using a unique valve action, you just need to push the tip down onto paper a few times to prime the pump, and then the rich, smooth paint will be free-flowing from there.
While these have a finer tip, they are still ideal for more detailed artwork, and when you want color markers to use on a variety of surfaces.
4. Artistro Acrylic Paint Markers
The Artistro Acrylic Paint Markers contain highly pigmented Italian acrylic ink which is fast-drying and very durable, and which offers vivid, bright colors on paper, stone, wood, canvas, and more.
The high-quality ink is water-resistant and resistant to fading and abrasion, ensuring your artwork lasts as long as possible.
Medium broad nibs are perfect for both fine details and for filling in larger areas, so you can accomplish so much with the one nib type alone.
There are 12 different colors included in the pack, including black, white, gold and silver, and other basic colors which will be incredibly useful for your artwork.
The opaque paint gives a rich color with the first layer, and the transparent paint barrel means you can keep track of how much paint you have left!
5. Niji Acrylic Paint Pens
The Niji Acrylic Paint Pens come in a wide range of 26 colors, so you can run wild with your imagination and create beautiful pieces of artwork filled with color.
Being easy to use, these are a pleasure to work with and they don’t require as much priming or prep as some of the other options. The pens do not leak or drip either, which is ideal for the whole family to use.
Offering smooth writing on all types of surfaces, the versatile high-pigment paint dries quickly and gives an opaque and durable finish to your artwork.
The nibs are fine tip, but they still offer a good enough flow of paint to cover larger areas, but still are ideal for creating detailed artwork and fine lettering too.
As they are non-toxic and odorless, the water-based acrylic paint pens are suited for artists of every age, and once painted, they will remain vibrant and vivid!
6. Upgrey Paint Pen Markers
If you are looking for a paint marker set that offers you as many colors as you could want, this is a great option!
There are 50 vibrant colors in this set, made up of 46 base colors and 4 metallic colors, meeting all of your color needs. Other than this, there are also 2 backup replaceable nibs included if you ever need to change nibs.
These paint markers can be used on paper, fabric, stone, wood, rubber and so much more, but they are just not suitable for more porous surfaces.
Made with premium oil-based paint, the paint is long-lasting and fade-resistant. It also dries waterproof and applies beautifully smoothly to a surface.
There is a little bit of preparation that needs to go into using these pens, but it is so worth the results you achieve with the oil-based paints!
7. Betem 24 Colors Dual Tip Paint Pen Markers
The Betem 24 Color Paint Pen Markers are dual-tip markers, with one side featuring a 1-5mm round nib, and a 1mm fine tip, so you can use one pen for many different uses, whether it is covering large areas or perfecting finer details.
These pens are different from normal push-type paint markers, as these are made with cotton nibs, meaning they can be used directly on the surface, and they dry faster too.
With 24 bright and vibrant colors included in the pack, you can enjoy more mixability and fun, and you will have just about every color you could want.
Use these acrylic markers on a variety of surfaces. The opaque water-based inks are odorless and acid-free, so they are safe for the whole family to use.
8. Premium Acrylic Paint Markers
These water-based, high-quality acrylic markers are non-toxic and odorless, and suitable for all ages. They are dual-tipped, with a 0.7mm and 2-3mm tip, so you can use them for many different types of artwork.
There are 20 pens in this set, with a wide variety of colors to be creative with. The pens can also be used on a range of surfaces both indoors and outdoors.
Before using the paint pens, you need to give them a good shake and press them down to get the paint flowing. Once the paint has been applied, it applies smoothly and dries quickly, and the color does not bleed on the surface that it is applied to.
The high-quality ink is long-lasting and vivid and will help you create some beautiful pieces of artwork.
9. Paint Permanent Paint Marker
Paint Permanent Paint Markers are oil-based, meaning they are quick drying and do not need to be sealed once dried.
The nibs are broad, measuring 2-3mm line thickness on paper, making them a great choice for covering large areas.
The set is fairly small, only including 8 different colors, but it is a good set to start out with, and it features all the basic colors, including gold and silver for some sparkle.
These are permanent paint pens that can be used on so many different surfaces, as they are water-proof and non-toxic.
A simple yet effective set of broad tip paint markers, these are ideal for crafts and coloring in at home when you need some artistic release now and then!
10. Uni Posca Paint Marker Pen
Uni Posca are great paint markers to choose, and they are perfect for when you want vivid colors that will show no matter the color of the surface you are applying them to.
The paint markers work great on many different surfaces, so you can use them for a range of different coloring crafts.
There are 29 markers in the set, with a wide range of colors that will see to all of your creative needs. The bold and opaque finish that the markers give is unmatched, and you see the vivid colors on your surface no matter the color underneath.
The set comes in a standup box too, which is ideal to keep the pens in perfect condition while not in use, and keeps them neat and tidy on your desk for easy access for when you are coloring in.
11. Teenmoon 12 Pack Acrylic Paint Marker Pens
The Teenmoon 12 Pack Acrylic Paint Marker Pens are made of opaque, chemically stable ink that is lightfast and quick drying. The ink is water-based, which means it is easy to clean and easy to apply too.
The pens are perfect to use on paper and card, but they can be used on other surfaces too, such as on rocks, pottery, plastic, fabric and more.
The nibs are 5mm in diameter, and give a 2mm line thickness. They are great for covering larger areas but can also be used to create finer details too.
Each marker is shrink wrapped in its own plastic to ensure it does not leak during transport, so when your pens arrive, they are in perfect condition and ready to be used!
The set includes all the basic colors you could need, as well as gold, silver, and white for accents and details.
Final Thoughts
Whether coloring is a therapeutic activity for you, or if you are building up your art collection at home, a good set of paint markers is just what you need!
To help you pick out the best option for you, we have gone through all the things you need to consider and think of when picking out paint markers for coloring, as well as our favorite options on the market at the moment.
Read through the above, find your perfect set, and get coloring!
Related Questions
Which markers are best to use on canvas?
Acrylic paint markers are a good option to use on canvas. They apply smoothly to canvas, do not bleed, and they can be used for detailing and for covering large areas.
The highly pigmented ink also shows beautifully on canvas and will be long-lasting once dried.
Are paint markers permanent?
Almost all paint markers are permanent and will give you permanent color on different surfaces such as paper, plastic, stone, and rubber.
Do paint markers fade?
A paint marker might fade if low-quality paint ink has been used, but high-quality paint markers should show their color and vibrancy well for a long period without going through any fading. This is why it is important to choose paint markers that are made with high-quality ink that lasts.
