We often get asked which paper we recommend for marker art. If there’s one thing that will have a tremendous impact on your marker art, it’s using the correct paper! It’s even (dare we say it?) more important than which alcohol markers you use.
We’re going to give you the pros and cons of some different paper options so you can decide for yourself.
Pros: you can combine with other media and not worry about the alcohol markers bleeding through.
Cons: these will soak up a lot of ink and make your alcohol markers dry out really fast. We don’t recommend them for work that is primarily marker! It is also difficult to layer colors when the paper absorbs too much ink, plus it will be difficult to blend as the ink dries very quickly.
Pros: these are very smooth, and you want smooth paper for blending and avoiding drag. They also tend to be bright white so the colors look bright and vibrant.
Cons: alcohol ink will typically bleed through printer paper very easily, so it’s best to put some type of barrier behind it. You will also need to move your markers quickly to prevent creating a hole in the paper it becomes saturated. Printer paper is typically very cheaply made, and not made with art in mind.
Pros: marker paper is specifically made with alcohol markers in mind, so it will be thin enough not to absorb the ink, but also have a wax treatment on the reverse of the page to prevent bleeding. You can use very little ink to saturate the area you want to color.
Cons: You will only be able to draw on one side of the paper, and marker paper can be very expensive. Some marker papers are extremely thin and delicate, so you’ll need to handle them with care (for example, when erasing).
Let us know...what’s your favorite paper for marker art? Is it listed here?
angi
September 22, 2022
I am just starting to add markers to my work. I find that some are difficult to use if you don’t have the right paper. Thank you for this article. Its very helpful.