Posted by Sue Landsman on Jul.09, 2009

ⓒ iStockPhoto - ongap

Chances are if you don’t scrapbook or rubber stamp, you know someone who does. And if you scrapbook or rubber stamp, you use markers, paints, and all sorts of art equipment. Most moms are happy to get a few spare minutes to work on their crafts, so spending time thinking about how safe their materials are or whether they’re environmentally friendly usually doesn’t make it on the radar.

One of the most common tool is the marker, and many of them have issues that make them not the best choice for continued use. Often they run out quickly, either from use or because your small child got to them and left the caps off. Many of them smell bad, which can be a big problem if you work in a small area that doesn’t have much ventilation.

If you use a lot of markers in your crafting, you may want to check out Copic markers as an environmentally safe and sound alternative to what you’re currently using.

Copic markers are expensive (about $6 each for the top of the line ones), but for people who use markers all the time, they’re something to look into. If you only use a few colors, the expense isn’t that bad. Many people buy a small handful to use in making hand-made cards or decorating stamped elements in their scrapbooks.

The biggest deal about Copic markers is that they’re refillable. Most pens you have to throw in the trash when they run out, but these can be refilled over and over again with special ink cartridges which are themselves recyclable. Some art stores will also let you come in and refill your markers there for a dollar. The tips can also be replaced, so if your toddler accidentally squashes your good marker (for the tenth time), you don’t have to throw it out.

Copic markers are alcohol-based markers that do not have much of an odor, which means you can use them in a small space without feeling light-headed. The markers are acid free as soon as the alcohol evaporates, and they also blend nicely, which is why many rubber stamp artists and graphic designers use them. They are permanent on many surfaces, and can even be adapted to use with a special airbrush system. Of course, aside from the environmental factors, there’s much other reason to covet them. They blend beautifully, and if used properly color an area without leaving line marks or streaking.

The markers are available in a wide range of colors, and come in three basic types:

Copic: These have a square body which prevents the marker from rolling. They come in 214 colors and contain the most ink. They can be used with the airbrush system and can be used with a variety of ten kinds of interchangeable nibs, including calligraphy, brush, and broad nibs.

Sketch: The sketch markers are available in 322 colors, and are oval — they are also roll-resistant. They contain less ink than the regular Copic markers, and only have four types of nibs.

Ciao: The Ciao markers are the cheapest, because they contain the least ink and have fewer options. The lower price makes them perfect for students or beginners. They come in 144 colors and two different types of nibs. While the pens are still refillable, their nibs are not replaceable and the pens will not work with the airbrush system. The caps come with a choke-proof vent to protect small children.

You can see demos of drawing and blending with Copic markers on YouTube. There are plenty of other resources on the internet describing how more and more people are using Copic markers in their work. If you want to experiment with these markers the best thing to do is to buy two or three that are in the same color family so that they will look nice when you blend them. The clerk at the art store should be able to help you pick out the right markers; you can also consult the Copic web site, http://www.copicmarker.com, to understand what the number/lettering system on the markers means and to figure out for yourself what you want to get.

Of course, good luck stopping at two or three.

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Posted under Eco-Friendly Ideas, Living.