Q: What makes Copic markers so unique?

Copic markers are the first marker created entirely with the designer in mind. The ink formula and colours haven’t changed since they were first designed over 25 years ago. They are low-odour, so they won’t overwhelm you when using them in small rooms. Body markings are embossed onto the pen so they won’t rub off. Copic markers are environmentally friendly- you never throw them away, you just keep refilling them and replacing the tips. Markers can be used with the airbrush system and are blendable.

Q: Why is alcohol based different than water based?

When water-based markers are layered and blended they tear up the surface of most papers. Alcohol inks do not harm the paper surface. They can be layered and blended on surfaces other than paper as well. Alcohol inks are waterproof and will not wash away.

Q: Are they acid free?

Copic markers are filled with a dye suspended in alcohol and they become acid-free as soon as the alcohol evaporates.

Q: Are the markers Environmentally friendly? Animal by-products?

Copic markers are refillable, with replaceable tips. Refill ink bottles are recyclable. Markers are actually filled with Ethanol, a form of alcohol that can be manufactured from plants. No animal products of any kind are used in either Copic markers or inking pens.

Q: What do you mean by Shelf Life?

Copic Markers and inking pens will not dry out if they are not used and the caps are securely closed. This is guaranteed for at least 3 years.

Q: Should I store my markers Horizontally or Vertically?

Copic markers will work fine when they are stored in either direction.

Q: Will it hurt my markers if they get too hot or too cold?

No. If you leave them in your car during a snowstorm or in the middle of a heatwave they will not suffer. Copic markers have completely air-tight caps. They can be submerged in water or left in the sun and they will not dry out as long as the caps are sealed.

Q: Do they fade?

Copic markers are dye-based. When exposed to UV rays they will fade over time. Regular indoor lighting won’t fade them for a while, but long exposure will be harmful. Bright lights, or direct sunlight will speed up fading. Protecting you artwork with a UV coated glass or protective sheet will cut out the harmful light.

Q: What surfaces do they work on?

Alcohol inks are permanent on many surfaces – paper, leather, wood, fabrics, plastic, faux fur, and more. On glossy surfaces, such as glazed ceramic and glass the ink can be scratched off, so use a sealant to protect the surface. Make sure that the sealant does NOT contain alcohol, ethanol, or any other form of alcohol as these will ruin your coloring.

Q: Can you use them on fabrics?

A lot of quilters use the markers on wallhangings with great response. We don’t recommend wearables, since the markers are alcohol based dye, a drink spilled on them might interact with your pattern, and some colors will bleed when washed- we are still testing mordants to prevent the deep reds/browns from bleeding.

The dye will fade at about the same rate as other fabrics, so treat with the same care you would other fiber arts- keep out of harsh lights, etc.

Q: What other media can you use Copic markers with?

Copic markers are used most commonly with colored pencil and watercolors. We suggest doing your marker work first and adding other media after the marker is dry. If you use colored pencil, acrylics, guache, or white-out and go over it with your markers it may discolor the tip. To avoid a permanently discolored tip, immediately scribble quickly on a separate piece of paper or tissue to clean the tip. Even if your tip is discolored it will still give you a clear ink flow.

Q: Can I use Copic markers with other alcohol based markers?

Using two different marker types together will not harm the Copic markers, but you will not be able to get a smooth blend between Copic inks and other brands. Be careful not to discolor your marker tips with other marker inks.

Q: Can you cross-contaminate markers?

Copic marker inks will not ruin other Copic markers. You can color directly onto other Copic marker tips and it will not discolor or ruin your marker. This is actually a good way to produce a nice color blend.

Q: How long does the marker last?

This depends on what surface you are coloring on. Softer, more absorbent papers will suck your marker dry sooner than dense, tightly woven papers. Copic Original markers also hold more ink to begin with than Sketch or Ciao, so they will last longer before they need to be refilled. Also, the more you layer a color in one spot, the denser the color gets in that area so it won’t cover as many sheets.

Q: What do the letters on my marker mean?

The Letters on your marker tell you what colour family they belong to: [B- Blue] [BG- Blue Green] [BV- Blue Violet] [G- Green] [YG- Yellow Green] [Y- Yellow] [YR- Yellow Red] [R- Red] [RV- Red Violet] [V- Violet] [E- Earth] [C- Cool Gray] [N- Neutral Gray] [T- Toner Gray] [W- Warm Gray]

Q: What do the numbers mean?

The numbers explain the qualities of light, dark, and gray colours in that marker.

If we look at any marker, the first number stands for the Saturation, or how vibrant the colour is. 0’s will be very vibrant, while 9’s will be more dull or gray.

The last digit tells you how light the marker is within that saturation group.

For example, a BG01 will be light and make a nice bright highlight color. BG05 is a vibrant mid-tone, or middle color. BG09 would be a strong shadow that matches that color group. If you substitute a BG99 for your shadow, it will add a lot of gray for that color blend and may look out of place.

Q: How do I pick colours that will blend well with each other?

To pick colours that feel natural when blended together in one colour family, choose colours that have the same letter and first number, then keep 2-3 digits between the last digit. Start with the lightest colour and gradually add in your darker tones.

For blends across colour families, try to choose colours that have similar numbers but different letters. It helps if these are colour families near each other on a colour wheel (like a B and a BG or G). It is hard to get even blends between intense colours that are opposite each other on a colour wheel (like Y and RV) It is easiest to get blends across very different colour families when you use pale colours.

Q: What’s the difference between 100 and 110?

The 100 is a “true”, deep blue black, the 110 is a slightly neutral gray black- it comes down to what pigments were used to make up each color. The 110 would be equivalent to a T11, if such a number existed on our colour chart. The two blacks may not look different on your paper, but on some papers they do.

Q: What’s the difference between grays?

Cool Grays are bluish, or cool. Neutral Grays have no tone, warm or cool. Toner Grays are slightly warmer, or brown than neutral. Warm Grays are browner than any of the other grays.

Q: How do you clean marker ink (from tables, fabric, hands)?

Use a little colourless blender, rubbing alcohol, or hand-sanitizer.

Q: How do you clean dirty markers?

If you have ink on the body of your marker or inside the caps you can clean them by using waterless hand cleaner and a paper towel. Keeping the inside of your caps clean helps keep the ink from spreading everywhere else.

Q: Dirty/discoloured Nibs?

If you go over another Copic color and it gets on your nib, it won’t harm the nib in any way. If you are coloring over something else (paint, colored pencils, stamp ink) and it gets on your nib, quickly clean the nib by scribbling on scratch paper or a tissue. If you have dirty nibs you should replace them, although the marker will still give you a clear ink flow.

Q: I left the cap off my marker, what do I do now?

If the cap’s only been off for a day or two, then put the cap back on and let it sit for a few days. Most of the time the marker re-charges.

If the cap has been left off for a week or so you may need to replace the nib (the dye will have dried and clogged the marker fibers). You can try soaking the nibs in blender or rubbing alcohol overnight to clean out the pores. If this doesn’t work, then replace the nib and let it sit for a while, you may need to refill the marker if the nibs don’t have ink after sitting for an hour.