Buying Ciao or Skech?

Kalonismommy · 03-12-2009

Hi, I am debating to either buy all the ciao right now or about 100 sketch ... Which would you suggest? ... and why? Thank you so much!

RiverIsis · 03-12-2009

I personally had the same dilemma and bought all the Ciao. When you look at how much ink is in them its like 1 cc more in capacity difference. Plus I am a complete hobbyist. I took the attitude of having maximum colors for my input and then I could buy ink refills for the ones that run out which I would do with either, thus protecting my investment.

If there are colors that I want that aren't in Ciao I will get them in Sketch.

The refills that I think I am going to need first are the greys because I use them so much in shading and shadow effects. And the very lightest of the colors as I tend to put them down as a base and work up my color density from there.

HTH.

BTW I bought my Ciao in the sets in the containers and then reorganized them in color families because that it was works for me.

jackie1 · 03-12-2009

I have all of the Copic's, they are a combination of both the Ciao and Sketch markers. The only differences between the two kinds of markers is the amount of ink that they hold, the shape and the amount of colors each come in. My suggestion would be to go with the Ciao's for now budget wise and as you get use to using them and want more colors you can add in the Sketch markers. Don't forget to get the blender pen as well, it doesn't work like the SU blender pen, the Copic blender is more like an eraser for when you go outside the lines. HTH.

Angelnorth · 03-12-2009

I'd probably go for the Ciao too - although Copic don't sell them as refillable or replaceable nibs you can do both (I refilled my first one yesterday so I know it works!). I'm a really messy crafter so the fact I can park the cap from one end of the marker on the other end while I work is a real blessing as I'm very likely to lose a loose cap on my desk

The Sketch and Original styles don't let you do that.

I like the round barrel shape too although I'm quite happy with the oval Sketch as well (but really don't like the feel of the square barrel Original).

gallcomp · 03-12-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by Angelnorth

I'd probably go for the Ciao too - although Copic don't sell them as refillable or replaceable nibs you can do both (I refilled my first one yesterday so I know it works!).

Ciao's are refillable, and have replaceable nibs.

Quote:

The Sketch and Original styles don't let you do that.

You can do it also with the Original Copic, the Sketch is the only one that you cannot attach the cap to the other end.

scrappingmelissa · 03-12-2009

ciaos are refillable?????

I always understood that they werent.

Kalonismommy · 03-12-2009

http://www.copicmarker.com/features_ciao

Their site shows that they are .. looks like you may be buying some refills now?

Quote:

Originally Posted by scrappingmelissa

ciaos are refillable?????

I always understood that they werent.

daintydivatwo · 03-12-2009

I have been looking at the copic markers and trying to decide which ones to buy. Reading here it was suggested the Ciao. Do they have less ink than the sketch and the nibs can be changed, and refillable.

Paper Kissy · 03-12-2009

My biggest 2 factors when deciding was that Sketch have the name and number on both caps...and they don't roll off your desk. Oh...and they have all the colors available in Sketch, that was a big one.

Erin

MilwaukeeMommy · 03-12-2009

I have both.....on the Copic chatter thread someone recommended taking a 1/4" hole punch, labeling it with the color & gluing it to the end of your Ciaos. That's what I did. Of course it's not "uniform", or as pretty as the Sketch caps, lol, but at least I can see what I'm grabbing. Ciao's are refillable, but I think Sketch hold more ink so you won't be refilling them as often.

RiverIsis · 03-12-2009

Another thing - I tend to hold all the markers I am working with at that moment in time for quick changes and Ciaos are smaller so I can hold more markers.

Angelnorth · 03-12-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by scrappingmelissa

ciaos are refillable?????

I always understood that they werent.

As my original post said - Copic do not market them that way. But I did it yesterday with no problem - just pull the chisel nib out with a pair of tweezers, drip some ink in there from the Various Ink refill bottle and then push the nib back in. Be careful not to overfill (ask me how I know

)

Little69 · 03-12-2009

I think about copic ciao and sketch like this. No matter which you buy, at some point you will need to re-fill them. The only difference is that with ciaos, you may need to refill them sooner. What I did was for the colors that I use the most, greys, browns, skin tones, I bought the refills so I would not need to worry about any color running out.

If your budget allows, sketches are great. But if you are on a tight budget, ciaos are great as well....you may just need to re-fill them sooner. I own about 50 ciao markers and do not regret them at all.

The other advantage sketch has over ciao is the amount of colors...ciao has about 144 and sketch has about 350 (there ar about 40 shades of grey sketch markers alone!!!).

babydal57 · 03-13-2009

I bought 2 Ciao, didn't like the feel of the round barrel or the fact that they roll off my desk, and switched to Sketch. I've never looked back. I also like all my markers to be the same and the color name/number on the caps.

And this is gonna sound weird, but it was also a cost-savings thing. Sketch are cheaper for me in the long run. My LSS sells Ciao, but not Sketch, so there is no impulse buying them at my LSS for $6.49 each because I want all Sketch. I have to order my Sketch, so I save up to get free shipping and no tax and only pay ~$4/marker. So how's that for warped logic??? LOL

They both color the same, so get what makes sense for you. I knew if I bought any more Ciao, I'd just end up replacing them with Sketch and that's A LOT more expensive in the end.

Jennifer R · 03-13-2009

I also started off with the Ciaos primarily based on cost. I was able to buy 2 Ciao markers for each Sketch marker (up here the Ciaos are $3.50 and the sketches $7+). Now that I have a decent collection, I've been filling in with the Sketches bc I like some of the lighter shades that are available.

The one advantage of the sketch I do like is that the number and colour are on the cap.

As for the Ciaos being round and rolling, I don't have that problem at all. Guess my floors are even LOL!

As for buying the complete set of Ciaos, I personally wouldn't. I find I use the lighter tones way more (in fact some of my dark colours I haven't ever used) so there would be tons that I never used in the full set.

cjbapp · 03-13-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by Angelnorth

As my original post said - Copic do not market them that way. But I did it yesterday with no problem - just pull the chisel nib out with a pair of tweezers, drip some ink in there from the Various Ink refill bottle and then push the nib back in. Be careful not to overfill (ask me how I know

)

http://copicmarker.com/2008%20Copic%20Catalog.pdf

Page 5 shows the specs for the Ciao...they actually are marketed as refillable.

BasketOHearts · 03-13-2009

I prefer the original. I like the small nib for coloring tiny images. I like the square cap. It's also by far the easiest to hold. I have some sketch markers, and it makes me crazy that I can't stick the cap on the other end. I also feel that having the number on the caps is a must for me, especially in terms of blending and getting the "copic" look. One of the ways you blend is by using markers within a certain number range of each other.

However, Ciao are a lot less expensive and you can definitely get more colors for your money. I'm just willing to have a few less markers to get the feel that I like and the convenience of the numbers and color on the cap.

Angelnorth · 03-13-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by cjbapp

http://copicmarker.com/2008%20Copic%20Catalog.pdf

Page 5 shows the specs for the Ciao...they actually are marketed as refillable.

That's interesting - thanks Cher! I think they must have changed that (unless I hallucinated the whole thing, not beyond the bounds of possibility

)

cjbapp · 03-13-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by Angelnorth

That's interesting - thanks Cher! I think they must have changed that (unless I hallucinated the whole thing, not beyond the bounds of possibility

)

Don't feel bad...I actually said something a while back about them not being refillable and was corrected...but I think it was that I had in my head something about not being able to use the airbrush and my brain decided to make me look bad.

sparkplug17 · 03-13-2009

If shape and size don't bother you, I would order all of the Ciao ones now.

And fill in the other 178 colors with the Sketch ones.

If you really want all 322 colors and all matchy, matchy, then you have to get the Sketch.

Either way........you'll love them once you get them!

Kalonismommy · 03-13-2009

Thanks everyone! I went ahead and ordered all the sets in Ciao.. Thanks!

Angelnorth · 03-14-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by cjbapp

...but I think it was that I had in my head something about not being able to use the airbrush and my brain decided to make me look bad.

Ah, now there I can help you out and it's nothing to do with what Copic say, it's experience

You can use Ciao with the airbrush if you're willing to do a little adaptation! Just stick a foam dimensional or two into the slot on the pen holder and they work just fine in there - I actually feel they're more stable than the Sketch which always seem a little wobbly in there to me. If you do want to switch between Ciao and Sketch usage with your airbrush though, you can just peel the dimensionals off when you use a Sketch

Delightful-Sherry · 03-14-2009

Can you color a stamp and huff with these markers?

diane617 · 03-14-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by Delightful-Sherry

Can you color a stamp and huff with these markers?

not really, alcohol ink dries too quickly

Crafts · 03-14-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by Delightful-Sherry

Can you color a stamp and huff with these markers?

No, but Gina K. did a tutorial in the Resources section that shows how to color the stamp and then mist with rubbing alcohol. http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/re...cohol_markers/

RiverIsis · 03-14-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by Angelnorth

That's interesting - thanks Cher! I think they must have changed that (unless I hallucinated the whole thing, not beyond the bounds of possibility

)

I don't think you hallucinated it - I think Ciao were originally primarily a "children's" marker so they didn't really say about being able to refill them. And originally the replacement parts were labelled as either Sketch or Original. I'm pretty certain its on Marianne's blog somewhere.

gale · 03-14-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by Angelnorth

That's interesting - thanks Cher! I think they must have changed that (unless I hallucinated the whole thing, not beyond the bounds of possibility

)

I think Marianne pointed out at one time that the ciao were not refillable in the past. I don't know if they changed the markers or if they just started marketing them that way. A lot of people actually still think they are not refillable.

Delightful-Sherry · 03-14-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by Crafts

No, but Gina K. did a tutorial in the Resources section that shows how to color the stamp and then mist with rubbing alcohol. http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/re...cohol_markers/

Wow! Thanks so much for referring me to this. If you look in that Gallery there are hundreds of beautiful cards made by using the copic markers and misting them before stamping! They are awesome!

SCEmily · 03-14-2009

I have some of both, but mostly ciaos, and I really prefer them. I don't think the oval shape of the sketch is as comfortable to hold. It also drives me crazy that I can't put the cap on the other end. I keep putting them on the wrong marker or having to find them on my messy stamp table. I do like how the sketches are labeled on the ends, but the price difference isn't worth it to me. As far as sketches having more ink, it's not much more. It says on the copic website (FAQ's under under how many refills per bottle) that sketch markers hold 2-3 cc's and ciaos hold 2. So basically the sketch markers can hold up to half again more so I think that cioas are a much better value.

dr.fine · 03-18-2009

babydal57, can you tell us where you buy your Sketch markers? $4.00 and free shipping is a great price and I'm trying to fill in some of my colors...this would be a great help. TIA

cjbapp · 03-18-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by dr.fine

babydal57, can you tell us where you buy your Sketch markers? $4.00 and free shipping is a great price and I'm trying to fill in some of my colors...this would be a great help. TIA

I know she has gotten many of hers from Carpe Diem: www.carpediemstore.com

Right now they are $3.95 with free shipping on $80 worth.

dr.fine · 03-18-2009

Thanks, Cher. I'll be heading over there to do a little shopping and save some bucks!

sunsetbeaches · 03-18-2009

I'm going with sketch, only b/c at the art studio, when people use the ciao, they put the lids on wrong and it' ruins the tops so fast, and even though I will only use them, it was an expensive lesson for the owner, and I like the feel of the sketch. Good luck with your decision.
Elaine

Rebecca Ednie · 03-18-2009

Keep in mind that both original markers and Sketch work in the airbrush system, ciaos work but must be shimmed to fit!

If you want to airbrush often but only pale colours, buy those in sketch as you won't have to refill as often and I hear the airbrushing uses more ink than you'd expect.

For price, you can't beat ciaos and has been mentioned, you can always fill in missing colours with sketch. I bought one of the 72 sets and do not regret it at all! Even colours I figured I'd never use I do use occassionally. If you only buy your fave colours, you can get in a rut!

Despite the price, if you have the $, I would recommend Sketch. Tho you will refill all the types of markers eventually,you won't have to refill as often. It can be messy if you don't know what you are doing! All the info you need is on Marianne's blog www.ilikemarkers.blogspot.com. A must-read for Copic lovers.

The big difference between sketch and original markers is that the originals do not have a brush tip. The volumes are close to the same. I believe they are available in 200+ colours vs sketch over 300.

Best prices I've found? Www.copicmarkerS.com Sets over 12 (I think) are free shipping!

Rebecca Ednie · 03-18-2009

Oh, the website in my previous message#34 I forgot to add that you can choose your own set of any of the markers. Choose Custom set for the same price as the prechosen sets including case. Only rub is they will not backorder any colours for ciao markers but I believe they will with sketch and original. With the ciaos, if a colour is out of stock, you have to pick other colours. They keep a list on the website. At any time, about 10-30% of ciao colours are OOS. They have better selection of sketch.