In the world of art supplies, markers occupy a special place in the heart of many artists. Their vibrant colors and ease of use are only some of the many qualities that make them so special, however when talking about alcohol markers, the game changes completely.
Using alcohol markers can feel like using magic, they come in every possible color, blend like a dream and apply effortlessly, making them the favorite of many artists, however they are not cheap, and the cheap ones are usually not good, that’s why finding the right markers can feel like striking gold.
But don’t worry, in this guide we’ll cut through the clutter, and learn all you need to know about alcohol markers, from the different tips to the blendability of different brands, plus we’ll highlight the top picks that offer brilliant colors, durability, and the kind of blending that dreams are made of. Let’s get started!
What are Alcohol Markers?
Alcohol markers are a type of permanent marker used for drawing and coloring that contains an alcohol-based solvent. These markers are known for their blending capabilities, bright colors and fast drying qualities. They are widely used by artists, designers, and hobbyists for comic book illustration, fashion design and other forms of drawing.
The alcohol gives the color a chance to spread evenly without leaving any streaks, which is a typical water-based marker problem. This characteristic makes them perfect for doing gradients and smooth color transitions.
Alcohol markers can also be applied one on top each other to make deeper shades or layered to make new colors.
It is worth mentioning that, because of the alcohol levels in markers they tend to have a strong odor and should be used in the well-ventilated rooms, also, these markers are usually dual-tipped – one tip for precise work, and the other for covering large areas. Some of the famous brands in the list of the alcohol industry are Copic, Prismacolor, and Ohuhu.
Factors to Consider When Choosing Alcohol Markers
Color Range
When choosing alcohol markers color range is everything. While a brand having a wide color spectrum is always good for your art and creativity, the colors offered in a set will determine the kind of work you’ll do, so if you choose a small, basic set you’ll be limited to the combinations the markers included offer. And this is a common mistake many beginners make. They usually go for a set that offers different bright vivid colors without thinking on how they’ll blend together or if the set includes lighter shades to create gradients or to blend with other lighter colors.
Going for a brand that offers a wide color range is important too, not only because of the hues and shades availability but because some brands don’t mix well together so it’s advisable to buy from a single brand to avoid blending issues in the future.
Tip Types
Alcohol markers come with differ tips, some have round bullet tips, some have thick flat tips, some have chisel-like tips and some have beautiful brush tips. Each of these tips has a purpose and makes a different mark so make sure to choose carefully when you purchase and read the product description as some dual-tip marker sets offer different combinations with the same colors and presentations.
Brush Tips
Brush tips are shapes just like a round paint brush, these tips are great for precise color application, blending and covering large areas too.
Chisel Tips
Chisel tips, like the name says, are shaped like a chisel, these tips are great for covering large areas quickly, industrial design, architectural drawing, lettering and calligraphy.
WideTips
These tips are specially designed for filling large areas in one go. Perfecto for backgrounds, skies and architectural drawing and design.
Bullet Tips
These are the most common tips used on markers all around. They’re great for even applications but nor so much for blending or coloring.
Durability and Lightfastness
On average, alcohol markers can last from one to two years depending on how they’re used, stored and whether they’re refillable or not, however brand quality and the amount of ink that a marker has also influences its durability immensely. Some markers are on the cheap side but they also have a very low ink reservoir, while others are more expensive but are guaranteed to last more and even offer refills extending the life of each individual marker.
Regarding the ink, alcohol markers are not very lightfats, so you might want to consider how and where to display your artwork. Since these inks can fade over time when exposed to light, using a UV protective spray or displaying the art in areas away from direct sunlight can help preserve the colors.
Blendability
While all alcohol markers are made with an alcohol base, not all of them perform the same, some have more intense colors, some have stronger odors, and some blend better than others. While there is no apparent way to know how a set is going to perform without trying it first, you can always research the brand and product, watch reviews and artists using the product and see for yourself how they perform before buying them, and if there are no reviews, then thoroughly read the product description about the blending capabilities and make sure a colorless blending is included in the package.
Availability of Refills
Alcohol marker brands that offer refills are always one step ahead since they are more cost effective in the long run, especially for those colors that are used more frequently. They also contribute to reducing waste since there’s no need to get a new marker or a new set for a single color.
Price Range
The prices of alcohol markers differ significantly by the brand, quality, as well as the number of markers included on a package. The beginner-friendly or affordable alternatives could be as cheap as $10 to $30 for a smaller kit. Mid-range sets, which provide balance between quality and price, may cost from $30 to $100. Markers for high-end or professional work offer much better blendability and a wider range of colors, and can be purchased for anywhere between $100 and several hundreds of dollars for large bundles. Price considerations also fluctuate depending on extra features such as replaceable nibs or refillable inks which can make a smaller high quality set more affordable in the long run.
Top Picks for the Best Alcohol Markers
- Best Alcohol Markers Overall — Ohuhu Alcohol Markers
- Best Premium Alcohol Markers Overall — Copic Sketch Alcohol Markers
- Best Alcohol Markers for Artists and Designers — Pro and Brushmarkers by Winsor & Newton
- Best Budget Alcohol Markers — SANJOKI Alcohol Markers
- Best Pastel Alcohol Markers — Shuttle Art Alcohol Markers
- Best Skin Tone Alcohol Markers Set — Ohuhu Skin Tone Colors
#1. Best Alcohol Markers Overall — Ohuhu Alcohol Markers
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About Ohuhu Alcohol Markers
Ohuhu alcohol markers are the perfect combination of quality, color range, versatility and affordability, and although they still haven’t fully surpassed Copic markers, they’ve come close enough becoming the go-to choice of many beginners and pros alike.
Ohuhu markers have evolved and improved a lot with the years, they have enhanced their ink and overall quality, they have broadened their color range and improved their color system and launched two lines with different tips for different needs.
What made us place Ohuhu at the top of our list is not only the great quality they offer but the price they sell their markers at, which is incredibly affordable for the value Ohuhu offers, plus they also offer refills for those colors we always use the most, making them a very complete and eco-friendly brand.
What makes it great:
- Presentation: Set of 72 Colors plus 1 Blender, with Case.
- Our Score: 8/10
- Color Range: 481 Colors.
- Our Score: 9/10
- Tips: Dual Tip: Brush & Chisel Tip.
- Our Score: 9/10
- Refills: Yes
- Our Score: 9/10
- Price: $69.99
- Our Score: 8/10
Pros
- Vibrant color range
- Affordable price point
- Dual-tip versatility
Cons
- Ink dries quickly
- Limited refill options
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2. Best Premium Alcohol Markers Overall — Copic Sketch Alcohol Markers
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About Copic Sketch Alcohol Markers
Copic Sketch markers have been the unquestionable best for the longest time and although some brands have come pretty close in terms of color range and affordability, none has surpassed Copic in terms of quality, durability, blendability and color range.
Copic markers are just different, the colors are much more comprehensively made than other brands, the ink flows and blends better with Copic and other brands too, the markers are very comfortable to handle and they can be refillable up to 9 times, which is very advantageous for those colors we use over and over again. On the downside, Copic markers are very expensive, so we don’t recommend getting then unless you have experience with alcohol markers or you’re a professional looking for the best, but if they’re on your budget then totally go for them.
What makes it great:
- Presentation: Set of 36 Colors, with Case.
- Our Score: 7/10
- Color Range: 358 Colors.
- Our Score: 8/10
- Tips: Dual Tip: Brush & Chisel Tip.
- Our Score: 9/10
- Refills: Yes
- Our Score: 9/10
- Price: $123.14
- Our Score: 7/10
Pros
- Superior ink quality
- Refillable design
- Extensive color selection
Cons
- High cost
- Steep learning curve
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3. Best Alcohol Markers for Artists and Designers — Pro and Brushmarkers by Winsor & Newton
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About Pro and BrushMarkers by Winsor & Newton
Winsor & Newton is a well established brand in the world of art supplies and is well known and respected by the art community, that’s why their Promarkers and Brushmarkers are among the favorites for many artists. A special feature of the Promarkers is that their nib is shaped more like a dome, which spreads the ink more evenly compared to the traditional bullet nib found in most markers. Therefore, you will not have to worry about streaks when covering large areas. This design is appreciated for the quality of coverage and color providing it.
While the ProMarkers have a traditional round tip, the BrushMarkers have a bigger brush tip than other markers in the market, making it so they can produce a wider range of traces from thin to very thick. On the downside, these markers only come in 72 colors, that while are very well selected and curated by specialists, are still, very limiting.
What makes it great:
- Presentation: Set of 48 Colors, with Case.
- Our Score: 8/10
- Color Range: 220 Colors.
- Our Score: 7/10
- Tips: Dual Tip: Brush & Chisel Tip.
- Our Score: 9/10
- Refills: No.
- Our Score: 8/10
- Price: $137.70
- Our Score: 8/10
Pros
- Professional-grade quality
- Brush tip precision
- Excellent color blendability
Cons
- Pricier than alternatives
- Fewer colors available
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4. Best Budget Alcohol Markers — SANJOKI Alcohol Markers
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About Sanjoki Alcohol Markers
Sanjoki is a new brand that was recently launched yet is still already very popular, coming up strong in the alcohol markers world.
They offer a great deal that includes a comprehensive collection of 120 markers, including pastel colors, skin tones and vibrant colors, a sketchpad with paper specially made to be used with them and a nice case to hold them all for an almost incredible price, making them the perfect choice for our budget pick.
Sanjoki markers also offer great quality, users have praised their blending capabilities and their tips that are flexible and last a long time, although they’re not as good as professional markers, they are an excellent choice for beginners looking for a wide color selection for an affordable price.
What makes it great:
- Presentation: Set of 119 Colors plus 1 Blender, with Case.
- Our Score: 9/10
- Color Range: 358 Colors.
- Our Score: 8/10
- Tips: Dual Tip: Brush & Chisel Tip.
- Our Score: 9/10
- Refills: No.
- Our Score: 8/10
- Price: $43.90
- Our Score: 9/10
Pros
- Very budget-friendly
- Good color assortment
- Easy to use
Cons
- Ink consistency varies
- Less vibrant colors
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5. Best Pastel Alcohol Markers — Shuttle Art Alcohol Markers
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About Shuttle Art Alcohol Markers
If you’re looking for dreamy pastel colors at an affordable price, then Shuttle Art is the brand for you, they don’t only offer the best deals in alcohol markers, but also a great pastel color selection for a very low price. The quality is quite good and the tips are brush and chisel which makes blending and applying the colors much easier. On the downside, they’re not as long-lasting as other brands and some users have reported that some markers present a strong alcohol smell so make sure to use them in a properly ventilated area.
What makes it great:
- Presentation: Set of 50 Colors plus 1 Blender, with Case.
- Our Score: 8/10
- Color Range: 205 Colors.
- Our Score: 9/10
- Tips: Dual Tip: Brush & Chisel Tip.
- Our Score: 9/10
- Refills: No.
- Our Score: 8/10
- Price: $25.19
- Our Score: 8/10
Pros
- Specialized pastel hues
- Great for layering
- Affordable pastel option
Cons
- Limited use cases
- Fewer shades available
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6. Best Skin Tone Alcohol Markers Set — Ohuhu Skin Tone Colors
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About Ohuhu Skin Tone Alcohol Markers
If you already have the perfect alcohol marker set and all you’re missing are the skin tones and you don’t want to overspend on a bigger set to get them then Ohuhu has the solution. This skin tone exclusive set offers different colors from light to very deep so you’ll be able to paint any character and create any skin tone you want. It also includes colors to add undertones and blends just as beautifully as any other Ohuhu marker does. The tips are brush and chisel and it comes in a nice carrying case with a silicone pad to protect your paper from bleeding.
What makes it great:
- Presentation: Set of 36 Colors plus 1 Blender, with Case.
- Our Score: 8/10
- Color Range: 481 Colors.
- Our Score: 9/10
- Tips: Dual Tip: Brush & Chisel Tip.
- Our Score: 9/10
- Refills: Yes
- Our Score: 9/10
- Price: $24.99
- Our Score: 8/10
Pros
- Wide skin tone range
- Cost-effective choice
- Good blending capability
Cons
- Some tones lacking
- Can bleed on paper
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can alcohol markers be used on fabric?
Yes, you can, but they might not perform nor stay on as well as you’d hope. They can fade pretty quickly if exposed to the sun or bleed when you wash the fabric. If you’re experimenting, test it out first and maybe heat-set it to make the colors stick better.
Are alcohol markers safe for children?
Not really the best idea. They have strong fumes because of the alcohol in them, which isn’t great for little ones. If kids are using them, make sure it’s in a place with lots of ventilation and make sure to keep an eye on them. Water-based markers are a safer bet for them.
How to remove alcohol marker stains?
- For fabrics: Dab at the stain with rubbing alcohol or hand sanitizer and a clean cloth. Don’t rub; just blot. Then wash it as usual. Might need a few tries or a stain remover for stubborn marks.
- Hard surfaces: Rubbing alcohol or a cleaner made for permanent marker messes can help. Just apply, scrub softly, and wipe away.
- Skin: Start with soap and water. If that doesn’t cut it, try rubbing alcohol, makeup remover, or an oil (like baby or coconut oil). Rub gently, then wash off.
- Act fast for the best chance to get rid of the stain! Always do a spot check with your cleaner to avoid damage.
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