Markers?

[gr8danegirl]

Hi,

I am a casual card maker. I do it as a hobby. What is an affordable marker set that is still of decent quality? I've looked at tons of different brands, but I don't know what type of quality they are. I know copics is the best, but since I only make cards casually and just for fun, I cannot justify spending that kind of money on markers.

Do any of you have any suggestions?

Thanks!

[smriti]

It depends on what cost range you're looking at. I've the Spectrum Noir markers - you can get them online for $9/6 markers - they're alcohol markers like copics; and I love coloring with them. You can look at recent uploads in my gallery to see how they color. I'm very happy with them!

[jukie]

there are also Bics which I know some crafters on here swear by, tombow is another make. It all depends on your budget and your expectations. I will also say that good markers don't mean great colouring, it takes practice and people can get fantastic results with the cheaper markers

[buggainok]

I also recommend the Spectrum Noir markers. You can find them at Joann's stores in sets of 6, usually all shades of one color. The price there is usually $14.99 for the pack, but if you wait and use coupons, like 50%, that brings it down to $7.50.

I also have multi-colored sets of Bic Mark Its and Sharpies. They color well, but the colors are very bright and intense. If you go that route, you will need to fill in with pale colors in other marker brands.

[buggainok]

Quote:

Originally Posted by jukie

there are also Bics which I know some crafters on here swear by, tombow is another make. It all depends on your budget and your expectations. I will also say that good markers don't mean great colouring, it takes practice and people can get fantastic results with the cheaper markers

Just a comment, the Tombow markers are water-based markers, and the others mentioned are alcohol-based markers.

I personally don't do too well with the water-based markers. It seems to me that they make my paper warp and pill. But I know some folks really like them.

And I agree, your coloring techniques and talent have a lot to do with the results you get with any coloring method.

[Jsavard]

Does Joanne's also carry the 24 packs (lights, dark, pastel) sets. I purchased the basic set but want to add the additional sets. I am from Canada and here they are very pricey. $ 49.95 per set. I am going to the US and looking for a better buy.
thanks

[connie leone]

Quote:

Originally Posted by gr8danegirl

Hi,

I am a casual card maker. I do it as a hobby. What is an affordable marker set that is still of decent quality? I've looked at tons of different brands, but I don't know what type of quality they are. I know copics is the best, but since I only make cards casually and just for fun, I cannot justify spending that kind of money on markers.

Do any of you have any suggestions?

Thanks!

The Spectrum Noir markers as mentioned are a good deal for the money. I also purchased them with my coupon (s) at Joanns. So far so good! I'm also mainly just a card maker.

Good luck!

[smriti]

Jnine, I've not seen the 24-sets at my Joann.

[klpt58]

Smriti-I visited your gallery and your coloring is beautiful! Thanks for sharing.
Kathy T

[smriti]

Thanks for your kind words Kathy!

[beckydory]

I've had good luck with the Marvy LePlume markers that I picked up in sets with coupons at Joann's and AcMoore.

[cjzim]

Generally speaking, water-based markers like SU and Marvy work great for coloring directly onto your rubber stamps. For coloring images, alcohol based markers are easier to blend and shade with.

[bejoyce]

Just a word about Copic markers. I realize the OP said they were too expensive, and they *are* expensive. But if you buy a few at a time, it's not too painful to your budget. You could also list specific colors on a wish list for birthday and Christmas, and slip the list to your family. ;-)

I, too, just make cards for my own use and enjoyment, and I am so glad to have a small, but growing, collection of Copics. They are really wonderful!

[weims]

I love to color, but avoided copics because of the expense. To spend $20 to be able to correctly shade one specific color isn't in my budget. I then discovered the Spectrum Noir and fell in love. If you have a Joanns, they do carry the packages of 6 for $15. With coupons, they're $9. That's the same price you can find them online. The 6-packs are also coordinated to help with shading and coloring. I think they're a great deal.

[Gina K. Designs]

I really like the Bic-Markit markers! You can add a copic colorless blender pen and have lots of fun doing texturizing techniques. Here is a card I made with a Bic-Mark-it marker and a colorless blender pen.

Then, like other posters have said, you can fill in with Copics or other Alcohol markers for the lighter or paler shades you need along the way.

For some reason, it won't let me upload a photo. I will try in the next post... Sorry!

[Gina K. Designs]

Okay, here is my photo of the card I made with one Bick Mark-it marker and a copic colorless blender.

[buggainok]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gina K. Designs

Okay, here is my photo of the card I made with one Bick Mark-it marker and a copic colorless blender.

Lovely card, Gina. Thanks for speaking up about the Bics. I think sometimes newer stampers get intimidated and think if they can't afford the most expensive products, like Copics, that they can't make pretty cards.

Your card is a great reminder that you can get beautiful results with all kinds of markers.

[connie leone]

Quote:

Originally Posted by buggainok

Lovely card, Gina. Thanks for speaking up about the Bics. I think sometimes newer stampers get intimidated and think if they can't afford the most expensive products, like Copics, that they can't make pretty cards.

Your card is a great reminder that you can get beautiful results with all kinds of markers.

@ Gina, very pretty card thank you for taking the time post! I have to say that you are very creative and I just love everything you do as well as your stamps, paper and all the "good crafty stuff!!" I truly hope someday that I get the chance to meet you, until then there is "Stamp TV!!"

And as Bugga stated you do not have to have expensive color mediums to get great results, you have just shown proof of that!

Thanks again Gina!

[Amber79]

Quote:

Originally Posted by bejoyce

Just a word about Copic markers. I realize the OP said they were too expensive, and they *are* expensive. But if you buy a few at a time, it's not too painful to your budget. You could also list specific colors on a wish list for birthday and Christmas, and slip the list to your family. ;-)

I, too, just make cards for my own use and enjoyment, and I am so glad to have a small, but growing, collection of Copics. They are really wonderful!

I'm going to second this. I use Prismacolors for my drawing and I buy most of them individually when they are on sale/clearance or I have a coupon. It gives you more control to buy them individually. Use a coupon get a small starter set, the use coupons at the craft stores and add as needed.

[weims]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Amber79

I'm going to second this. I use Prismacolors for my drawing and I buy most of them individually when they are on sale/clearance or I have a coupon. It gives you more control to buy them individually. Use a coupon get a small starter set, the use coupons at the craft stores and add as needed.

It also depends on what kind of collector you are. I'm the kind that wants to be able to color an image that has lots of different colors in it, so to go buy two or three markers to color one color just wasn't an option. I'd rather use my colored pencils or something.

[Amber79]

Quote:

Originally Posted by weims

It also depends on what kind of collector you are. I'm the kind that wants to be able to color an image that has lots of different colors in it, so to go buy two or three markers to color one color just wasn't an option. I'd rather use my colored pencils or something.

D'oh! I should have been more specific :oops: I was referring to the pencils. If someone wants to do the markers in a certain color range I would suggest the Spectrum Noir line.

[nancystamps]

I started my modest Copic collection very slowly. I didn't even worry about shading at that point, I loved the color saturation and the light colors. My first purchase was only Skin white EOO and Cool gray C1 for the outline/shadow effect. Just having the flesh tone was worth it, I used my pencils or SU markers for coloring the rest of the image. It is totally fine to mix coloring media!