8 Commonly Asked Question About Marker Pens

Using marker pens is one of the writing or drawing tools for artists. 

Even though they are one of the artists’ great art buddies to work with, some still find them tricky to use. 

Despite these confusions, this article will answer the eight most commonly asked questions about marker pens to help you. 

Do alcohol markers bleed? 

Unfortunately, alcohol marker pens mostly bleed through papers because of their high ink pigmentation, which gives them their vibrant colours. 

You can minimise the bleeding by using bristol paper or marker paper. 

To ensure you lessen the bleeding when using alcohol-based marker pen, avoid putting on heavy pressure. 

How to remove markers from paper?

There are simple ways to remove permanent marker pens from paper by applying a small amount of any of the following:

• Hairspray
• Toothpaste
• Rubbing alcohol
• Distilled white vinegar 

Gently rub one of those and let it stay for some minutes before wiping it with a clean paper towel or rag. 

Repeat the process if the ink stain stays on the paper. 

What are the safe water-based markers? 

Water-based marker pens are generally non-toxic and odourless, which makes them safe for anyone.

Here are some of the products you can check out:

• Kaywin’s water-soluble markers
• Crayola Super Tip Water-Based Markers
• Winsor & Newton ProMarker Watercolour markers

Can you mix colours using a marker pen? 

Absolutely, you can mix colours using marker pen, but the techniques might be different when using paints.

Here are three tricks to blend markers’ colours:

• Layering: Start with one colour before adding a new one to create new beautiful shades.

• Alcohol blending: Add one colour to the paper before mixing the edge of it with another colour. Then gently rub it with a brush or cotton with alcohol to mix the colours.
• Tip-to-tip blending: This is good when using water-based markers. You just have to press the marker’s tip you want to mix before starting to apply it to your paper.

Can you use alcohol markers on canvas? 

You can use alcohol marker pens on canvas, but you should first apply gesso primer to avoid your colours losing their vibrancy. 

The reason is that canvas absorbs alcohol markers differently. 

So, remember to also make sure your canvas has a smooth texture for greater layering and blending of your colours. 

What markers don’t bleed through paper?

Marker pens that do not bleed through papers are water-resistant, which prevents the paper from absorbing it and bleeding through it.

There are markers that are less likely to bleed through paper, including:

• Zebra Pen Mildliner
• Ohuhu 36 Colours Art Markers
• Mr. Pen No Bleed Gel Highlighter 

However, it is also best to use certain papers that are designed for markers, like bristol papers.

What marker will stay permanent on plastic? 

Oil-based marker pens are able to stay on plastic and any other surfaces better than water-based permanent markers. 

Its main component is oil, which makes it dry quicker and resistant to smudging because it doesn’t contain any water. 

What is the best way to store markers and pens?

How you store it depends on the type of marker you use to maintain its excellent quality. 

It’s best to store the following markers and pens horizontally to avoid problems like their ink clogging at the tip:

• Gel pens
• Paint markers
• Alcohol markers

While highlighters’ tips should be kept down to keep them from drying out.