Alcohol markers, also known as permanent markers, are a staple tool of illustrators, graphic artists, and even casual arts and crafts enthusiasts. However, this doesn’t mean that alcohol-based markers are the best solution for every art project. In fact, there are many situations where alcohol markers are inferior to other options, like water-based markers. And more often than not, issues can arise with alcohol markers based on the type of paper being used.
For this reason, people who prefer alcohol markers need to find the best kinds of paper and surfaces to draw on. Otherwise, the chemicals used in permanent markers can bleed through the paper and force you to start your project from scratch. So, whether you’re simply drawing a picture or creating custom wedding invitations, you’ll need to make sure you’re using the right paper or cardstock.
Naturally, this begs a couple of important questions. For instance, what are the differences between water-based markers and alcohol-based markers? What makes alcohol markers superior? Why do alcohol markers bleed through thin paper? What kind of paper or cardstock is best to use with alcohol markers? Finally, where can you acquire high-quality cardstock to finish your next project? In today’s guide, we will answer all of these questions and more, so let’s get started!
The Challenge Of Alcohol Markers & Paper
Do you remember the markers you used when you were in school? Most of the time, they were water-based markers that would not produce very strong colors. Moreover, if you left the cap off for even a few minutes, the marker would quickly dry up and become useless. These are just a few of the reasons that serious artists and crafters try to avoid water-based markers.
Alternatively, alcohol markers are known for their strong colors. Additionally, they do not dry up as quickly as water-based markers, though you still need to put the cap back on to avoid drying. However, this is not to say that alcohol markers are perfect in every way. In fact, one way that water-based markers typically improve upon alcohol markers is their relationship with paper. Water-based markers do not release as much liquid, which means they are easier to use with most kinds of papers.
While water-based markers will still bleed through very thin paper, they will not bleed through even the thinnest cardstock. This is not the case with alcohol markers. Alcohol markers create darker, more prominent colors by releasing more liquid and using stronger chemicals than water-based markers. More specifically, permanent markers tend to use chemicals like xylene, toluene, and urethane resin. And though these chemicals are perfectly safe to use, they have the unintended side effect of bleeding through thick and thin paper products alike.
This is why it is best to opt for cardstock when using alcohol-based markers. Cardstock is naturally thicker and sturdier than most kinds of standard writing paper. That said, not all cardstock will work well with alcohol markers. You will need to ensure that you get high-quality cardstock that is thick enough to absorb alcohol marker ink without allowing it to bleed through to the opposite side.
The Challenge Of Alcohol Markers & Paper
Selecting The Best Alcohol Markers For Cardstock
Choosing the best material to use in tandem with alcohol markers is important. You will need to think about the kind of project you want to do and how the materials will help you achieve your vision. Additionally, you’ll have to consider which types of cardstock work best with alcohol markers. That said, finding the best cardstock is not all about the cardstock itself. You’ll also need to consider what kind of alcohol markers you intend to use. We’ll go over some of the most popular brands of alcohol-based markers below:
Copic Markers
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Copic Markers are high-quality markers that are well-regarded by many visual and graphic artists. These alcohol markers tend to have a very smooth application that reduces unintentional blotting. Additionally, each marker is filled with a reservoir of non-toxic, alcohol-based ink. Like many high-quality alcohol markers, Copic Markers have ink comprised of both ethanol and isopropanol alcohol.
While Copic Markers are known for their quality, they can still bleed through many different types of paper. For example, Copic Markers often bleed through marker paper and watercolor paper. This is why it is best to use Copic Markers in tandem with very thick, bleed-proof paper or cardstock. |
Ohuhu Markers
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Ohuhu Markers are another brand of permanent markers that compete with Copic as some of the best products on the market. However, these markers distinguish themselves from other brands through their longevity. If you invest in a set of Ohuhu Markers, you can expect to use them for years without a significant deterioration in quality. Moreover, the tips of Ohuhu Markers are specifically designed to meet a wide range of needs. Whether you need to fill in large spaces or address tiny details, you can do so with Ohuhu Markers.
Unfortunately, Ohuhu Markers have a high degree of pigmentation, which also makes them bleed through many types of paper and cardstock. You can expect the colors to be strong and vibrant, but this comes at the cost of limited compatibility with paper products. In fact, the manufacturers recommend using very heavy cardstock with Ohuhu Markers to reduce or eliminate bleeding entirely. |
Prismacolor Markers
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Prismacolor Markers are some of the best alcohol-based markers for beginners. They provide great coloration, but they do not allow you to replace the marker tips or ink. Consequently, they do not have a very long lifespan like other high-quality markers. Moreover, Prismacolor Markers also bleed through most kinds of writing paper and can even produce uneven lines if the user is not careful.
When choosing the right drawing or writing material for Prismacolor Markers, it is best to go with thick cardstock. This way, you don’t have to worry about any of the ink bleeding through. Plus, you are less likely to experience issues with uneven amounts of ink, as the cardstock does a better job absorbing the ink evenly. That said, you will still have to be careful and use a gentle touch to avoid any unsightly errors. |
The Best Cardstock For Alcohol Markers
In general, cardstock is the best material for alcohol markers. It is thick and durable enough to withstand multiple layers of ink without showing any signs of bleeding, blotting, or tearing. However, not all cardstock is the same. For example, if you choose a light cardstock of 65 lbs, you could still end up with ink bleeding through to the wrong side. The chances only increase if you ink over the same area multiple times.
Fortunately, you can find many of the best cardstock products for alcohol markers at Fine Cardstock. We offer dozens of cardstock products that are compatible with all of the most popular brands of alcohol markers. If you want to get the best outcome with your markers and cardstock, we recommend using heavier cardstock like our 80, 100, 120, or 130 lbs products. Heavy cardstock is thicker and extremely bleed-resistant, making it the best drawing or writing material for alcohol or water-based markers. By choosing heavy cardstock, you can avoid issues with ink bleeding and create beautiful arts and crafts projects with your alcohol-based markers!
Ready to start your next project? Check out our high-quality cardstock today, and let us know how you put our cardstock to good use!