Vendor Spotlight: Copic Markers

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Reported by Beth Silaika

Copic markers are all the rage in 2009. You see them on so many projects with the big wigs in the paper crafting world. I want to focus on the difference between Copic markers and water- based markers. So many people have invested a great deal of money in their water based markers which match their colored cardstock. You might be considering whether or not Copic markers are a good investment, and whether you can get the markers to match your current paper supply.

There is a HUGE difference between Copic markers and your regular water-based markers (Le Plume, Stampin' Up!, CTMH Exclusive Inks™ marker). It's hard to describe the difference between the two, because it's like comparing apples to oranges. It's like drinking lukewarm instant coffee all your life and then suddenly someone hands you a Starbucks ® Skinny Vanilla Latte. It's like you can finally taste for the first time! Copic markers are to the eyes what Starbucks® is to your taste buds!

Copic markers are alcohol-based, therefore they will not tear up your paper like water-based markers. If you have colored with water-based markers in the past, you will know that you can only color a few swipes before the paper starts to deteriorate. Suddenly your images have holes or tears in them. With Copic markers, you can color over and over again, layering colors and blending to create a smooth, line-free effect. The final results are tremendous! Alcohol inks are permanent, so they will not wash away. The same cannot be said about water-based markers.

The biggest disappointment I had with my water-based markers is the tips fraying over time. I spent a mini-fortune collecting all the markers that would coordinate with my cardstock, and sometimes within a few uses, the tips were damaged. It's even worse when your kids get into your markers!

There is nothing worse than trying to color with a frayed marker. It is worse when you know how much money you have invested in the product. Copic markers have replaceable nibs, so if for some reason the tip of the marker becomes less than firm, you can fix it without having to replace the whole marker. It's easy to pull out the nib and replace it! I have had my Copics for over a year and use them on a regular basis. I have not had one problem with the nibs. Yes, I have even let the kids use the markers! You should see their school projects now!

The other nice thing about Copic markers is they are refillable. You can color to your heart's content, then refill the marker quite inexpensively. Copics are blendable with a clear blender pen too, which provides endless uses, such as creating textures. You can use the blender solution on a variety of textures (e.g. rags) and create fun textures to your colored project! Copics will also be permanent on many surfaces, such as glass, wood, fabric and paper. Water-based markers are not permanent on anything but paper (and if the paper gets wet, it will bleed).

Copic markers are acid-free once the alcohol dries. Most water-based are acid-free, but you need to check every different marker to ensure they are acid-free. The other wonderful thing about Copics is the storage. Most of your water-based markers need to be stored so that they lie horizontally. This way both ends will have an even distribution of inks to the tips. With Copic markers you can store your markers either vertically or horizontally.

I quickly stamped an image several times to create a coloring comparison between Copic markers and water-based markers. All images were stamped with Ranger Distress ink pad in Black Soot on Georgia Pacific white cardstock.

The first image (far left) is colored with a few colors of Copics, starting with the lighter red, then adding deeper red to the edges and blending over the image with the lighter red to remove the lines.

The second image was colored with the darker red and blended with the Copic blender pen. It removes the color and blends the colors nicely. Blend as much as you want and the paper will not deteriorate.

(close up of the Copic colored images)

The water-based marker is beautiful, but does not have any variation of color. My coloring is not wonderful because the markers have frayed at the end and they are difficult to use:

(close up of the water-based marker)

I tried using some of the water-based markers, picking up the color with my Stampin' Up! blender pen. Within seconds, the paper started to rub off and tear. I could not blend very well because the paper was deteriorating rapidly:

(close up of the water-based marker and blender pen)

There are several types of Copic markers to choose from, so I hope this brief overview will give you a base for which you can determine what marker suits your needs.

The top marker is the original Copic marker (also known as Copic Square), the middle marker is the Copic Sketch marker and the bottom is the Copic Ciao marker:

There are a few differences in the markers -- here they are with their tops removed:

As you can see from the photo, the square marker (top) has a small (fine tip) nib on one end and a broad tip on the other end. Its shape allows it to be set on your work surface and not roll!

The middle marker (Sketch) is oval shaped and will also not roll off your work surface. The sketch marker offers a broad tip and a wide brush tip.

The Ciao marker is round and it will roll around on your work surface. It offers similar tips to the sketch marker (broad tip and brush). *note - did you see that middle sketch marker. That was one of my first purchases over a year ago. I have used that marker SO much - you can see how well loved it is. See how well the nib has held up?

One of the things that is great about the markers is being able to grab a color (or a few colors) just by cap color. Since you do not have to store your makers vertically, you can put them in containers in your craft area and just grab the color you want. The only thing to consider when purchasing the Ciao is that the number of the marker is not printed on the cap. If you have a little obsessive-compulsive disorder about organizing your crafting supplies and you need to have the numbers printed on the cap, I would suggest the Sketch or Copic square version!

Pros:

• acid-free
• LOTS of colors
  
• blends easily
• colors on multiple types of surfaces (some need additional sealants) including metal, glass, tile and fabric
• refillable
• replaceable nibs (tips)
• you can airbrush with the Copic airbrush system
• clear blending pen/solution to create textures
• easy storage
• will not ruin paper

Cons:

• initial cost is expensive, but well worth it in the long run
• bleeds through the back of the paper
• in high demand, so they can be difficult to find

My Copics Markers are clearly well-loved... how about yours?

GIVEAWAY!
Leave a comment on any of our Vendor Spotlight: Copic Marker articles, and you'll be entered to win a set of 12 Copic Atyou Spica glitter pens. I've used these pens myself, and they're awesome!
We'll pick a winner on Saturday, September 19th.