Acrylic markers

Acrylic markers lay down opaque, water-based acrylic paint, so you can use them on wood, stones, glass, ceramics, canvas, cardboard and paper. Light colours cover even a dark base, and once the paint is dry you can add more layers on top. Here you'll find Posca, Darwi Marbel and Acryl Opak, and Kreul Triton markers, plus sets from Daler Rowney and Ohuhu. Tips range from 0.7 mm for fine details up to 15 mm for large areas. People use them for rock painting, decorating, lettering and customising trainers or boards.

Which tip width should you choose for acrylic markers?

• 0.7–1.3 mm (Posca PC-1MR and PC-3M, Darwi Marbel 0.7 mm, Darwi Acryl Opak 1 mm) – outlines, writing, dots and small details.
• 1.8–4 mm (Posca PC-5M, Darwi Marbel 2 and 4 mm, Kreul Medium) – drawing, lettering and smaller areas.
• 4.5–8 mm (Posca PC-7M and PC-8K, Darwi Marbel 6 mm) – filling in and bold lines.
• 12–15 mm (Posca PC-17K, Darwi Marbel 12 and 15 mm, Kreul XXL) – large areas, posters and backgrounds.

If you're just starting out, a set with 1.8–2.5 mm tips will cover most of your projects. For details, add a fine marker with a 0.7 mm tip.

Which surfaces are acrylic markers good for?

Acrylic paint holds on porous and smooth surfaces alike: wood, stone, paper, cardboard, canvas, ceramics, glass, metal and plastic. On a smooth surface, let each layer dry properly before you add the next colour. For clothes you're going to wash, go for fabric markers, and for mugs and plates, porcelain markers. For larger paintings done with a brush, reach for acrylic paints.

Acrylic marker or oil-based paint marker?

An acrylic marker contains water-based paint. It has no strong smell, you can wash it off with water while it's still wet, and once dry it's permanent. Lacquer and oil-based paint markers use solvent-based paint and are meant more for marking things in the workshop or outdoors – you won't find them on this page.

Before using a new acrylic marker for the first time, shake it with the cap on and press the tip down on paper a few times until it fills with paint. Once painted rocks and outdoor decorations are dry, seal them with varnish so the paint lasts longer.