Copic markers provide beautiful, vibrant colors that are gentle on paper. There are a million reasons you might want to use them, but one look at the price tag can have you wondering if they are worth it.
Copic markers do have a shocking price tag, but when you factor in their quality and the fact that they can be refilled you start to realize what a great investment they are. Read on to learn what can affect their longevity and how you can get the most use out of them.
Copic Markers and Drying Out
For the most part, Copic marker inks are made using alcohol. If you know anything about alcohol and evaporation you can see how these markers may dry out easily, especially if you do not take care of them. Luckily, Copic markers are made with this in mind. They are designed well enough that, as long as you keep the lid on when not using them, drying out is not as big of an issue as it would be with cheaper alcohol-based markers.
Taking the time to make sure your markers are stored in the right conditions will go a long way in increasing their lifespan. Do not expose them to direct sunlight. Even fluorescent light can affect market performance, but as long as you keep their lids on when you are not using them the casing can do its job.
Storing markers at room temperature will also decrease the rate of evaporation. Higher temperatures increase evaporation, so find a cool spot in your room to keep your markers. If your desk is by a window make sure the markers are out of direct sunlight that can raise the temperature without you knowing.
What Affects How Long Copic Markers Last
Beyond basic storage needs, there are a few ways of using the markers that affect how long they last. These elements depend largely on the artist and can be mixed and matched. For example, an artist who uses paper with a tighter weave may also use Copic markers for the majority of their work. Their markers may last just as long as an artist who uses canvas but only uses Copic markers for sketching.
At the end of the day, the rule is that less is more, meaning the less demand you put on your marker the longer it will last. This is generally true of any medium, however, and it should not scare you away from using Copic markers. Whether you are trying to decide whether they are for you or trying to figure out how long your markers will last, understanding how these elements factor into your marker’s life cycle will let you know what you can expect.
Drawing Surface
There are plenty of surfaces for you to draw on, but the two most common will be paper and canvas. Paper comes in a variety of qualities, and most types of paper have their place in art. Copic markers have ink that soaks into paper easily, so if you use softer paper with a lower weight you are likely to lose a lot more ink than necessary.
Thicker paper tends to have a tighter weave and a harder surface that soaks up less ink. You will get more use from your Copic markers if you use paper that is 100 gsm or higher. Using Copic markers on canvas is possible, but it is not recommended. Canvas soaks up liquid at a much faster rate than paper, so you will put a lot of your ink into the surface this way. Many artists may use Copic markers to sketch and then fill in with another medium to avoid wasting ink.
Covering Area
Different people use markers in different ways, and that is fine but it will affect how long the markers last from person to person. It makes sense that the more areas you intend to cover the more ink you will use, but it can be more complicated than that. The covering area also applies to the layers you intend to put on a specific area. Copic markers are popular because they layer so well. If you want to make a color more intense or blend colors then you can expect to use more ink.
Color Choice
It might surprise you to learn that different colors run out at different rates, but it is important to know. For the most part, you can expect lighter colors like yellows, greens, or pinks to run out of ink at a faster rate than darker colors like blues and browns. Lighter colors tend to cover more areas. You use lighter colors as a base, so you might use them to cover a whole object before adding shadows or defining features. Lighter colors are also the base for many blends, and that base color needs to be established to get a proper blend.
Artists tend to be more conscious of color usage with darker colors. It is much easier to mess up a piece when you are using black than it is yellow, so using the darker color sparingly and precisely is important to protecting your art.
Learn more about Copic markers HERE.
Signs It Is Time to Refill Your Copic Markers
You do not need to refill Copic markers on a set schedule, but refilling them as they dry out is essential to preserving the integrity of the markers. There are a few key indicators to let you know when it is time to refill.
- The color hue of the marker changes. When you notice that the markers are not showing up as their true color anymore you should refill them. For example, a deeper blue color might start to come out green.
- The color is less saturated or vibrant. When your reds are becoming pinks it is time to refill the ink.
- The tips are dry and/or not drawing. This is the most obvious sign that the marker is out of ink and has dried up.
- The nib draws in streaks or skips on the page. As the marker runs out of ink there is less to saturate the nib and you will see a reduction in performance.
It is important to check all your markers frequently in case there is an issue with ink evaporation. If there are any signs of damage replace the nib or refill
Copic Marker Refills
One of the coolest things about Copic markers is that they can be refilled. They come in four different types to suit all needs, and each type has a different cartridge size.
- Classic – 2.5ml
- Sketch – 2.08ml
- Ciao – 1.66ml
- Wide – 3.57ml
The more the cartridge holds the longer you can expect the marker to last – to a point.
Copic Wides may have a larger cartridge, but this is mostly to accommodate their wider tip. If you need a marker for sketching or basic artwork then the Classic or Sketch line should do what you need without running out too quickly.
Copic Markers and Lightfastness
Copic markers are not lightfast, so the art they produce will not last as long as a pigmented marker. This is because the dyes in their ink are affected by UV rays, and the colors will fade under sunlight and even fluorescent light. These markers were never intended to create finished products, but artists have recognized their unique potential. If you do want to use Copic markers for complete works you will need to find a way to make a copy to preserve or distribute, but you will forever be in love with the art you create.
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