Difference Between Water-Based and Alcohol-Based Markers
Water based markers are a great option for artists, crafters and children because they are more affordable than alcohol-based markers. They come with an assortment of colors to choose from, making them much more diverse than their counterpart. Water based markers are also known as non-permanent or washable inks. These markers can be used on a variety of surfaces, including paper, cardboard, wood and glass.
Alcohol based markers were first introduced in the 1950s as a response to the popularity of water-based pens. Alcohol based markers are also known as permanent or oil-based paint pens that contain alcohol ink. They can produce vibrant colors. They have a different texture than their counterpart because alcohol evaporates much faster than water does so they dry more quickly.
Features of Water-Based Markers
Water based markers are simply made with water based ink . These markers can be used on a variety of surfaces, including paper, cardboard, wood and glass. Water based markers are typically inexpensive and come with an assortment of colors to choose from. You can create a more vibrant color with these pens than you could with alcohol, but of course they dry slower and may require multiple layers to get the desired effect.
- Drawing Quality
Drawing quality of water based markers is good but the ink takes some time to dry up fully. This means that there is a greater chance of messing up your artwork if you don’t let the ink dry. But for getting the actual watercolor effect, it’s the perfect choice for you.
The drawing quality is much better because it’s easier to blend water based ink than oil-based so that means there’s less chance for “dried” skin cells (from your hand) messing up your artwork.
2. Blendability
Blendability of water based markers is better because they are usually softer and more pliable than their alcohol counterparts, meaning fewer chances for the ink to crack or chip off with contact. Water-based inks also tend to put down a smoother surface that’s less likely to show brushstrokes than alcohol-based markers.
Watercolor markers blend very easily but there are chances of getting a line of blend area. The good thing about it though is that you can achieve multiple colors by adding layers on top which will make your artwork look much nicer! Also, if you’re using them on paper then the color would come out darker so blending becomes even easier!
3. Color Quality
Color quality of waterbased markers are great because watercolors are made from mixing various colors. You can achieve a wide range of shades by varying the proportion of pigment to ink and it’s not limited to one color!
Another great thing about them is that they have very vibrant colors which you can mix together, allowing for more depth in your artwork. They also blend really well with each other and there are no brushstrokes if used correctly so it will create smoother lines on paper or canvas when drawing!
Waterbased markers usually come in a set of 24–36 pens with 36 being the most common number available at art supply stores. They’re inexpensive also compared to their alcohol counterparts.
Features of Alcohol Based Markers
Alcohol based markers are mainly made with alcohol ink which is more vibrant and pigmented than water based markers. They also have a different texture because the alcohol evaporates much faster so they dry quickly, which makes them great for drawing on paper that can’t be erased if you make mistakes!
They are typically made with fiber tipped points or felt tips which creates lines in your artwork that are smoother than other types of pens like ballpoint, rollerball or calligraphy pens. Alcohol markers usually come in sets of 12–24 colors depending on what kind you’re looking to buy but they tend to cost more due to their higher pigment content compared to water based markers.
- Drawing Quality
Alcohol based markers are great for doing professional level artwork that you want to have a lot of detail in. The alcohol ink doesn’t spread like water based markers so it’s great for doing lines that are supposed to be thin and delicate looking.
Although the quality is better. But they’re not the best choice if you’re just starting out with drawing because there’s no way to erase your mistakes from them unlike with water-based markers where all you need is some eraser cleaner. Alcohol based markers also feel more expensive than other types of pens because they cost more but as long as someone knows what they’re getting into when buying them then these shouldn’t be an issue!
2. Blendability
Alcohol based markers blend so well that they can make it look like you have more colors than what’s actually in the pack. Most of the alcohol based markers come in two types of tip — fine tip and chisel tip. One for drawing details and fine lines and another for filling up large areas with color.
However, chisel tip is really good for blending because the ink is on the wider end of the pen. Tip can be a little bit too wide for detail work but it’s still really easy to use!
3. Color Quality
Color quality of alcohol markers are good comapring to watercolor markers . Alcohol based markers are best for coloring detailed artwork or adding accents to sketches. Alcohol based makers contain alcohol ink which make them colorful and dries faster. They have a wide variety of vibrant colors that you won’t even need to blend if you collect all the colors.
But alcohol based markers have their own downfalls too. If you use them on surfaces that aren’t coated in an appropriate sealant then it’s more likely to smudge and smear all over the place when touched. Alcohol also evaporates faster than other types of inks so some colors might change shades depending how long it takes to dry. But this doesn’t happen often! And once again — both have really good qualities about them!
Conclusion
There’s no clear winner when it comes down to these two types of ink since both have good qualities about them. But water based markers are cheaper and alcohol based markers are a bit expensive. So, depending on your need, you can use any one of them.
