Product Options: Set of 6 | Safety: Non-Toxic
The 6 Best Paint Markers in 2023 (October)
Professional quality oil-based paint markers with a fine round tip and a wide spectrum of colors, but the amount of ink in each marker pen may be lacking.
If you like to color on a variety of porous and non porous surfaces, including rock painting, terra cotta, glass and wood signs painting, without the mess that traditional painting affords you, then you could try paint markers for your next project. The felt tips of paint pens allow for colorful designs on your DIY projects, as opaque colors drip via wide, medium, and fine tips. As fun as this is, buying the correct acrylic paint markers for your specific project can be confusing. We will discuss the best paint markers based on their ink quality, nibs durability, and color selection. As these are the most important factors when deciding which are the best paint pens to buy, we offer the appropriate options for oil and water based pigment ink markers, as well as paint pens for detailing in a variability in colors, as to suit most projects on different surfaces.
Selection Criteria for the Best Paint Markers 2023—Buying Guide
Water or Oil Based Paint Pens
Water-based and solvent-based paints are the most popular for markers. Although both are presented as long-lasting, you should be aware of key distinctions. Solvent-based chemicals, also known as oil-based, are known to improve paint flow but come with a far less pleasing aroma. The opposite is true of products based on water, which emit no odor and provide less of a risk to consumers, so they can be used safely indoors.
Ink Quality
The markers’ performance is very indicative of the grade of the paint used. Getting the desired effect with low-quality products is next to impossible. When selecting an ink brand, look for one that consistently provides high-quality ink in terms of opacity, color accuracy, consistency, and drying speed. Also, be sure to check that it is compatible with the materials you use.
Nib Size and Durability
When looking at paint markers, examine the point sizes first. The fine tips are ideal for detailed work, such as lettering and calligraphy. You should opt for rounder and bigger nibs when making big, bold letters or shadings. One should also test how long the nibs last. Constant use on abrasive materials like pebbles or wood requires tools that are durable enough to hold up under stress.
Range of Colors
Home crafters and DIYers only need a simple pair of paint markers to label or color-code their works in progress. On the other hand, professional markers come in a wider range of colors and offer more accurate tones; a wide color palette makes it easier to accurately depict skin tones and flowers.
Top Product Recommendations for the Best Paint Markers 2023
- Best Overall Paint Marker: Sharpie Paint Pens
- Best Water Based Paint Markers: Liquitex Professional Paint Marker Set
- Best Oil Based Paint Markers: Artistro Paint Markers
- Best Paint Markers for Detailing: Uni-Posca Paint Marker Pens
- Best Paint Pen Set: Fumile 80 PC Paint Pen Set
- Best Only White Paint Markers: Akarued White Paint Pens
Paint Pens Selection Criteria
- Ink Quality – 9/10
- Nib Size – Fine and medium point
- Nib Durability – 9/10
- Range of Colors – 9/10
About Sharpie Paint Pen Collection
The permanent, and long-lasting Sharpie oil based paint markers in this 30-pen set is an excellent choice for any artist, as they come in fine and medium tips for calligraphy and craft projects alike. They can be utilized in any setting and upon any surface, including glass, wood, rocks, porous and nonporous surfaces. It is also water-resistant and non-toxic, so you can use them with children outdoors without an issue.
What sets this product apart is not just the high quality paint, but unlike other markers where you obtain a definite amount of paint contribution over the surface, this marker allows you to adjust the flow of the fluid as per your style of painting. Clear instructions are provided on how to “activate” these pens. Place the tip in an upright position, press it down with your finger, replace the cap, and shake the pen, as directed by the manufacturer. Remove the cap and test the pen on some paper to see whether ink comes out.
Pros:
- Bright and bold colors
- Shows well even on dark surfaces
- Good for rough surfaces
- Fade resistant
- Valve system
Cons:
- Takes unusually long to dry
- Markers dry up fast if left without cap
Acrylic Paint Marker Pen – Gold – Multi-Surface Painter & Outliner Pens
Acrylic Paint Markers Pens are made of highly pigmented acrylic paint. Vivid, highly pigmented acrylic ink dries quickly to produce a very durable opaque and glossy finish on light and dark surfaces. The paint is non-toxic, water-resistant, and UV-resistant. You can even mix the colors, which is great for indoor and outdoor use.
Bundled Products
Product Name
₹ 199/-
Acrylic Paint Markers Pens are made of highly pigmented acrylic paint. Vivid, highly pigmented acrylic ink dries quickly to produce a very durable opaque and glossy finish on light and dark surfaces. The paint is non-toxic, water-resistant, and UV-resistant. You can even mix the colors, which is great for indoor and outdoor use.
Related products
Acrylic Paint Marker Pen Pack of 24 Colors – Multi-Surface Painter & Outliner Pens
SKU: 1000-24
₹1980 ₹2200
1. Material: Plastic. Round Nib Size 2 mm. The pack contains 24 Acrylic Markers as shown in the picture.
2. How To Use: Shake Several times before use. Press the Tip down and hold for a while for the ink to flow out. Recap the pen tightly after use.
3. Writes on nearly all smooth surfaces with your imagination and creation, allowing you to easily write on paper, stone, rubber, ceramics, wood, glass, plastic! Not suitable for porous and rough surfaces.
4. Quick-drying, Opaque Ink, Great Coverage, Water & Fade resistant, Environmental friendly.
5. This acrylic paint marker pens ink are highly pigmented and easy to blend, painting very durable opaque and glossy finishes on light or dark surfaces.
Shands Line Painter Acrylic Broad Marker Pack of 8 Colors – 2mm Nib – Silver Inline
SKU: S312DP
₹450 ₹500
1. Round Nib Size 2 mm. Pack Contain 8 Shands Line Painter Marker.
2. How To Use: Shake Several times before use. Press the Tip down and hold for a while for the ink to flow out. Recap the pen tightly after use.
3. Writes on nearly all smooth surfaces with your imagination and creation, allowing you to easily write on paper, stone, rubber, ceramics, wood, glass, plastic! Not suitable for porous and rough surfaces.
4. Quick-drying, Opaque Ink, Great Coverage, Water & Fade resistant, Environmental friendly.
5. This acrylic paint marker pens ink are highly pigmented and easy to blend, painting very durable opaque and glossy finishes on light or dark surfaces.
Shands Glitter Broad Marker Pack of 9 Colors – 2mm Nib – Multi-Surface Painter
SKU: S310DP
₹900 ₹1000
1. Round Nib Size 2 mm. Pack Contains 9 Markers
2. How To Use: Shake Several times before use. Press the Tip down and hold for a while for the ink to flow out. Recap the pen tightly after use.
3. Writes on nearly all smooth surfaces with your imagination and creation, allowing you to easily write on paper, stone, rubber, ceramics, wood, glass, plastic! Not suitable for porous and rough surfaces.
4. Quick-drying, Opaque Ink, Great Coverage, Water & Fade resistant, Environmental friendly.
5. This acrylic paint marker pens ink are highly pigmented and easy to blend, painting very durable opaque and glossy finishes on light or dark surfaces.
Acrylic Paint Marker Pen – Black – Multi-Surface Painter & Outliner Pens
SKU: 1000-SBK
₹110 ₹120
1. Material: Plastic. Round Nib Size 2 mm.
2. How To Use: Shake Several times before use. Press the Tip down and hold for a while for the ink to flow out. Recap the pen tightly after use.
3. Writes on nearly all smooth surfaces with your imagination and creation, allowing you to easily write on paper, stone, rubber, ceramics, wood, glass, plastic! Not suitable for porous and rough surfaces.
4. Quick-drying, Opaque Ink, Great Coverage, Water & Fade resistant, Environmental friendly.
5. This acrylic paint marker pens ink are highly pigmented and easy to blend, painting very durable opaque and glossy finishes on light or dark surfaces.
Acrylic Paint Marker Pen – Silver – Multi-Surface Painter & Outliner Pens
SKU: 1000-M08
₹110 ₹120
1. Material: Plastic. Round Nib Size 2 mm.
2. How To Use: Shake Several times before use. Press the Tip down and hold for a while for the ink to flow out. Recap the pen tightly after use.
3. Writes on nearly all smooth surfaces with your imagination and creation, allowing you to easily write on paper, stone, rubber, ceramics, wood, glass, plastic! Not suitable for porous and rough surfaces.
4. Quick-drying, Opaque Ink, Great Coverage, Water & Fade resistant, Environmental friendly.
5. This acrylic paint marker pens ink are highly pigmented and easy to blend, painting very durable opaque and glossy finishes on light or dark surfaces.
Acrylic Paint Marker Pen – White – Multi-Surface Painter & Outliner Pens
SKU: 1000-W
₹110 ₹120
1. Material: Plastic. Round Nib Size 2 mm.
2. How To Use: Shake Several times before use. Press the Tip down and hold for a while for the ink to flow out. Recap the pen tightly after use.
3. Writes on nearly all smooth surfaces with your imagination and creation, allowing you to easily write on paper, stone, rubber, ceramics, wood, glass, plastic! Not suitable for porous and rough surfaces.
4. Quick-drying, Opaque Ink, Great Coverage, Water & Fade resistant, Environmental friendly.
5. This acrylic paint marker pens ink are highly pigmented and easy to blend, painting very durable opaque and glossy finishes on light or dark surfaces.
Shands Glitter Acrylic Broad Marker Pack of 12 Colors – 2mm Nib – Multi-Surface Painter
SKU: S315DP
₹675 ₹750
1. Round Nib Size 2 mm. Pack Contains 12 Markers
2. How To Use: Shake Several times before use. Press the Tip down and hold for a while for the ink to flow out. Recap the pen tightly after use.
3. Writes on nearly all smooth surfaces with your imagination and creation, allowing you to easily write on paper, stone, rubber, ceramics, wood, glass, plastic! Not suitable for porous and rough surfaces.
4. Quick-drying, Opaque Ink, Great Coverage, Water & Fade resistant, Environmental friendly.
5. This acrylic paint marker pens ink are highly pigmented and easy to blend, painting very durable opaque and glossy finishes on light or dark surfaces.
Workpal Metallic Silver Marker Pen – Fine Point Nib
SKU: D-4236SR
₹81 ₹90
1. Material: Plastic Color: Silver, Extra Fine Point (Pack of 1)
2. How To Use: Shake Several times before use. Press the Tip down and hold for a while for the ink to flow out. Recap the pen tightly after use.
3. Writes on nearly all smooth surfaces with your imagination and creation, allowing you to easily write on paper, stone, rubber, ceramics, wood, glass, plastic! Not suitable for porous and rough surfaces.
4. Quick-drying, Opaque Ink, Great Coverage, Water & Fade resistant, Environmental friendly.
5. This acrylic paint marker pens ink are highly pigmented and easy to blend, painting very durable opaque and glossy finishes on light or dark surfaces.
Acrylic Paint Marker Pen Pack of 12 Colors – Multi-Surface Painter & Outliner Pens
SKU: 1000-12
₹850 ₹900
1. Material: Plastic. Round Nib Size 2 mm. Pack Contains 12 Acrylic Markers of Color Gold, Silver, Black, White, Yellow, Orange, Rose Red, Purple, Blue, Green, Red, & Coffee . Round Nib Size 2 mm.
2. How To Use: Shake Several times before use. Press the Tip down and hold for a while for the ink to flow out. Recap the pen tightly after use.
3. Writes on nearly all smooth surfaces with your imagination and creation, allowing you to easily write on paper, stone, rubber, ceramics, wood, glass, plastic! Not suitable for porous and rough surfaces.
4. Quick-drying, Opaque Ink, Great Coverage, Water & Fade resistant, Environmental friendly.
5. This acrylic paint marker pens ink are highly pigmented and easy to blend, painting very durable opaque and glossy finishes on light or dark surfaces.
10. Best Industrial-Type: Overseas Oil-Based Paint Markers
Why We Think It’s Great
- ODORLESS: No offensive smell characteristic of traditional oil paints.
- WORKS ON MULTIPLE SURFACES: Applies well to plastic, glass, ceramic, metal, stone, wood, rubber, and fabric.
- DURABLE NIBS: Long-lasting 2.0 to 2.8mm nibs.
- HIGH-QUALITY PAINT: Oil-based ink from Mitsubishi, Japan, known for its smooth flow and application.
What We Don’t Like
What Our Editors Say
“Everything about this product, from the barrel design to the ink and nibs, screams quality. While it is not perfect, the company compensates for its shortcomings by offering excellent after-sales customer service.”
Country of Origin: China | Product Options: Set of 5, 8, and 12 | Safety: EN-71, ASTM D-4236, and EU RoHS Directive
Final Verdict
Our best overall choice for this review is Artistro Paint Pens because of their high quality and opaque finish that you can apply on various surfaces. These paints are also fast-drying and non-toxic, making them the perfect choice for artists.
When it comes to paint markers, there are a few things you need to consider before making your purchase.
Ink Quality
To gauge the quality of the paint markers, factor in the opacity, vividness, consistency, and drying time. When you have checked these characteristics, you’re sure to find the best paint marker for your needs.
Choose from oil-based and water-based paint pens. Water-based are odorless and safer than oil-based paint pens. However, oil-based markers are permanent even when washed with soap and water.
Nib Sizes and Durability
Fine-tip markers are best suited for smaller surfaces and adding details in calligraphy or lettering . On the other hand, thicker nibs are best for making bolder strokes or shadings.
Consider the nibs’ durability, especially if you’ll be using them on rough surfaces like wood or rocks. Some nibs may easily fray, so using them only on smooth surfaces is ideal.
High-quality microfiber tips or Japanese-quality nibs are the best choices for durability.
Ease of Use
Paint markers are a great way to add a splash of color to any project. But before you can start drawing, you need to prime the marker.
Priming is the process of activating the ink. Some markers need a little shake to prime the nibs, while others require pressing the nib down on paper to activate the valve system, allowing the ink to flow.
Ease of cleaning is another factor you should consider when buying paint markers. Water-based paint markers are washable off the skin or fabric, but oil-based paint markers require twice the time.
Colors
A basic set of paint markers is enough for crafters and DIYers to mark or color-code their projects. However, professional markers have a more extensive color collection, giving you better shades and hues.
For example, an excellent color range will allow you to use the correct values for drawing a rose or coloring skin tones . Some brands include metallic makers , while others are good enough to use as an alternative to Copic markers .
Paint Pens FAQ
1. How do you get a paint marker to work?
If it’s your first time opening and using a paint marker, shake the marker up and down vigorously. Uncap the marker, then press the tip lightly to the paper until the paint starts flowing.
Repeat the process after storing the paint markers for a time to reprime the marker nibs. Don’t forget to recap your paint markers after using them, and don’t store them with the tips down to prevent drowning the nibs with ink.
2. What is the difference between markers and paint markers?
Both pens leave a permanent mark on porous surfaces, but when applied on non-porous surfaces, you can remove the mark using a solvent such as acetone.
The ink in paint markers may be oil or water-based, while permanent markers use solvent-based ink. Permanent markers also have a cylindrical tube filled with fiber and saturated with ink. In contrast, paint markers have a valve action system that keeps the ink from the nib clean and charges it through capillary action.
Though you can use permanent markers for coloring, they have a limited palette, unlike paint markers. Another major difference between the two is the price. Permanent markers are cheaper than paint markers.
3. Why are my paint markers so watery?
Water-based paint markers can get watery if you store them incorrectly. Because of the capillary action in paint markers activated by the valve action system, the ink doesn’t constantly flow to the nibs, leaving them dry after some time. The water separates from the pigment, thus causing the watery ink to flow faster to the nib, leaving the dense pigment behind and clogging the nibs later.
4. Will paint markers stay on fabric?
Paint markers stay on fabric and other porous surfaces, so they’re best for adding artwork to your shirts, sneakers, canvas tote bags, and other textile accessories. However, they don’t have the same fade-resistant quality.
Some markers stay on even when machine-washed and dried, while others need to be hand-washed. Be sure to read the product specification before using them. Compared with alcohol and water-based markers , paint markers last better on fabric.
5. Do paint markers dry out?
Paint markers dry out, but you can avoid this by storing them horizontally to keep the ink from drying out and clogging the nib. Pumping the art markers too much also results in clogging the nibs.
