The Best Paint Markers for Canvas in 2023

Many people enjoy using paint markers as brushes in their artwork, making it one of the most popular creative tools among artists these days. In fact, even beginners who are new to painting can use this tool to create amazing art.

Can you, however, use markers on canvas?

The good news is that you absolutely can! These marker inks work wonders on canvas, glass, and other surfaces. And, yes, you want the best paint markers for canvas to assist you in drawing beautiful strokes and blends.

But how do you choose between the various products on the market? Don’t worry, the recommended list was chosen based on personal experience as well as reviews from other artists. Without further ado, here are some of the most common paint pens for canvas available on the market.

Paint Marker for Canvas Reviews

1. Artistro Oil Based Permanent Paint Pens

What I love the most about this marker is that it has tips that are neither too thin nor too thick. They’re just perfect for regular use.

If I want to draw a simple picture like on a shirt or any other piece of clothing, I’d pick this one. Also, its oil base makes it long-lasting. You can expect a smooth flow of the paint wherein the paint won’t easily come off.

It’s also quite resistant to water. Even if the paint comes into contact with any type of liquid, it won’t be affected at all.

Finally, it won’t fade away even if you scrub it off. That’s why I can consider this as one of the perfect markers for canvas shoes and also for T-shirts. It’s a great product to buy if you are an entrepreneur who wants to get into the creative fabric business.

However, I do find that it has a limited number of colors. I guess that if you want basic colors, then this will do. It contains black, white, silver, brown, gold, yellow, blue, red, green, orange, purple, pink, brilliant blue, glow green, and hot pink. These only make a total of 15 colors which many may perceive as too little.

2. Tooli-Art 30 Acrylic Paint Pens

When it comes to value for money, I’d have to put my money on this pack. This pack has a total of 30 paint pen markers with a range of different colors and shades that you can use in order to make some of the most amazing artworks that you can ever find.

If you happen to be looking for a great permanent marker on canvas, I’d surely recommend this one.

Another thing that I absolutely love about this product is that it’s extremely safe. It is actually a water-based paint marker that is free of any acid and chemicals.

It also conforms to a number of safety standards such as the ASTM D-4236 and EN-71. Even children can use this paint marker set because the paint won’t harm them.

You’ll also be pretty happy to know about the quality of ink used. The ink is a special highly pigmented ink that comes from Japan. This ink provides you with an opaque shade that gives a whole different dimension to your artwork.

Finally, it has a very small pen tip size of 0.7mm. The advantage of this kind of tip size is that you can draw the finest lines allowing you to make very detailed sketches with various colors that come from the set. It’s a great set for more experienced artists who love playing around with color.

3. Penguin Art Supplies Dual Tip Acrylic Paint Pens

If there is one thing that I really love about this set of paint pens, it’s the fact that it has reversible tips. This means that there are essentially two tips to choose from.

There is a 3mm tip and a 5mm tip that you can switch back and forth anytime you need to. You can make bold and full strokes with the thick 5mm tip or thinner ones using the 3mm tip. This all depends on your own choice and creativity.

I’d say that this gives you a lot of value for your money because it saves you the cost of buying one thick tip and one medium-sized tip. With this, you can kind of have two paint markers in one.

Aside from its value for money, you’ll also love its durability. This is a permanent paint marker that is water-resistant, UV- resistant, and abrasion-resistant. Though it is an acrylic water-based type of paint pen, it can still last pretty long.

For me, the icing on the top that makes it extremely worth the money is that it comes with a nylon zipper pouch. This is something that you won’t usually find in most paint marker sets. This allows you to bring your paint markers around pretty easily. In other words, this set gives you both quality and convenience at the same time.

If there is one downside that I’d probably say about this product, that would be its paint being a little bit too thin. While it does have a 5mm tip, the paint that comes out of it isn’t as full as the other 5mm tip paint markers. However, if this is something that you can get past, I do believe that this set of paint markers will be to your liking.

4. iBayam Oil Based Paint Marker Pens

There are two things that I really like about this product. First is its controlled and smooth flow of paint, and second is its three special metallic colors.

First, the controlled flow is due to a Special Valve Action feature that allows you to just push down the tip on your chosen surface in order to release the paint. The Special Valve Action makes use of a steel ball inside the pen that mixes the paint.

When the paint inside is already mixed, all you need to do is push the tip on the canvas. The ball mixes and controls the paint while the tip controls its overall flow. It is definitely one of the easiest paint markers to use because of this feature.

Other than that, you’ll also love the metallic colors that are included in the pack. It has gold, silver, and copper to go along with other cool colors as well. Aside from just the basic colors, there are also some great shades like flame orange, brilliant blue, hot pink, radiant red, zesty lemon, and many more. While it only has 21 colors to brag about, these colors are high-quality, unique colors that you can use.

However, you may need to be a bit careful with the tips as they are quite sensitive. If you’re careless, then the tip of your pen marker may just fall out. Aside from that, I’d say that these paint markers are pretty good.

5. Ekkong Acrylic Paint Pens

Versatility is the key point of this paint pen set. You see, there are paint pens that only work for some surfaces. This one, however, works on nearly all solid surfaces. It works on rough surfaces such as rocks, metal, wood, or even rubber surfaces.

At the same time, it works on smooth surfaces such as plastic, canvas, clothing, glass, paper, and porcelain. Of course, these are only some of the surfaces these pens can work on. There are a number of other surfaces that the paint can stick to and stay on.

Much like a lot of other paint pens that are oil-based, this one can last for a really long time. It can withstand water and even UV rays, so no matter what weather conditions your painting will fall under, it won’t get ruined.

However, there are two disadvantages to using this paint pen. First of all, it has a tendency to leak. I wouldn’t say that the pen tip is the best due to its sensitivity. Therefore, I urge you to use it with caution. Also, the colors are rather limited, with only 15 colors in one pack, so if you do decide to buy this set of paint pens, you need to think about both the advantages and disadvantages of this product.

6. Morfone Acrylic Paint Pens

What I like most about this marker pen is that it’s quite amazing at creating letter art. I usually use it for touch up, writing, and other things such as that.

I also like to use it when I color stones. It works really well on those smooth stones that you can find on the beach or in zen gardens. It’s great for many other smooth surfaces as well such as glass, wood, and paper.

Moreover, this pen is great for kids since it’s a water-based paint marker. It’s also quick-drying and also free of any chemicals, that’s why I can say that even kids can use it. It also comes with a round pen body which makes it really easy to hold. This is another feature that makes it great for kids to use. That’s why I usually recommend this set to my friends who want to encourage art activities among their children.

Do take note, however, that the paint is quite thin and dry when it comes out of the pen. Unlike a lot of other pens in the market, the paint isn’t so smooth when it comes to the overall flow. That’s why I usually use it for small projects like when I want to color stones. I won’t recommend that you use it for the bigger projects due to this downside.

7. Artistro Medium Tip Paint Markers

This is yet another Artistro paint marker that has made it to the list. However, the difference between this one and the first one is that the first one is an oil-based type while this is acrylic-based.

The advantage of this type of paint is that it can dry faster than oil and darken once dried – something that oil paints can’t do.

One of the best things about this paint marker is that it works so well with textile and ceramic. It can also work pretty well with porcelain and glass too.

Another cool thing about it is that once it finishes drying, it gives your artwork a glossy look that looks pretty good on both light and dark surfaces. I especially love the glossy finish this paint marker gives as it gives my artwork a certain shine to it.

However, you do need to take note that there are only 12 markers in this set, so the number of colors that you have at your disposal is pretty limited. You’ll only have the basic colors to play around with. Also, this paint marker may leave blobs and fuzzes after you apply it on your canvas.

8. Alerie Acrylic Paint Pens

This is yet another paint pen set that has reversible tips. The difference is that it comes with 12 pieces of 2mm to 6mm reversible tips. This can be pretty useful if you’re after the flexibility of being able to paint with different widths. Now, it’s important to also note that there are only 12 out of 24 pens that have reversible tips.

But what are the other 12 like? Well, the other 12 pieces are all 0.7mm very fine tip pens that are used for very detailed sketching of lines. I could say that this pack is a rather well-balanced set that has an equal number of very fine tip paint markers and medium to thick paint markers. This means that you don’t need to buy too many packs.

One of the things that you need to take note of when using these pens is that they need to be cleaned up properly so that they don’t wear out. Soap and water cleaning will do. Also, you need to make sure that the lids are closed so that they don’t dry up fast.

If there is something that I probably don’t like about the product, it is the fact that the paint dries up way too fast and doesn’t flow smoothly. This can be quite a problem if you want full colors with bold and vibrant tones.

9. Artistro Fine Tip Paint Pens

If you’re looking for a paint marker set that has the most number of colors, then this is the one you should buy. This has a total of 42 colors that you can choose from. There are even a bunch of extra black and extra white variants that you can use should you want to explore various shades. Also, you’ll love the fact that the ink is specially imported from Italy and is extremely smooth.

The color blends in really well with most surfaces and gives off a slightly shiny finish. As for the nibs, they are made in Japan so you can be guaranteed of quality. Finally, the tips are 0.7mm so they’re used for more detailed art.

Apart from that, there is also a special ebook that will be given once you buy this pack. The ebook is a step-by-step tutorial that explains how you can use your new acrylic paint pens to make amazing craft rock designs. Not only will you get high-quality paint marker pens, but you’ll also get a tutorial at the same time.

Just like the previously mentioned marker pen, this one seems to dry up a little too fast. As we already mentioned above, the problem here is that it limits the techniques that you can apply if the paint dries up too fast.

10. Tooli-Art 18 Acrylic Paint Pens

This is our second TOOLI-ART paint pen set. It’s quite similar to our previously mentioned TOOLI-ART set except that it uses a fine tip. However, it’s not just any type of 0.7mm fine tip. This set of paint pens makes use of a special nylon fine tip which makes it extra fine. If you’re a very detail-oriented artist who likes to make small strokes to really emphasize each line, then this is for you.

Another advantage of having such a fine tip is that it helps you prevent messes when painting. You don’t need to worry about those big paint blobs that appear once you hold down your pen. The fine tip only gives you fine lines.

It also works really well in both light and dark surfaces. The high-quality ink, which comes from Japan, is able to blend in even with the darkest surfaces and the lightest materials.

However, its downside is that it can’t be used for coloring. For coloring, you’ll need something thicker than just a very fine tip pen. That’s why you should only stick to drawing fine lines if you decide to buy this pack.

11. Asani Acrylic Paint Markers

I often use this acrylic marker set when I do my scrapbooking. In scrapbooking, your space to create art is a little bit limited due to the size of your scrapbook. Therefore, if you want to create art, you’ll need something that doesn’t get washed out, can dry very quickly, and comes with a thin tip. This set has markers with all of those qualities.

First of all, these markers all have 0.7mm fine tips which make them great for writing and sketching at the same time. The ink is also fade-resistant and quick-drying, making it perfect for scrapbooks and other types of stationery art.

However, you may want to know that they don’t last very long. As per my own experience, these markers will eventually pour out the paint after you use it for too long. That’s why you need to be a bit careful when you use this pen. Make sure that you don’t push it down too hard and don’t color with it too much.

12. Moxix Acrylic Paint Marker Pens

If you’re a fan of metallic colors, then you’d love this set of marker pens. The set comes with a total of 8 metallic outline colors.

To be specific, there is metal yellow, blue, green, black, orange, purple, hot pink, and sky blue. You also have gold and silver at your disposal. Aside from that, there are also 22 more basic colors to play with. All in all, you have a total of 32 colors in this set.

Another cool thing about this set of paint markers is that they come with really sturdy tips that don’t wear out very easily. The 24 basic colors have 1mm tips while the 8 metallic colors come with 2mm plastic tips.

If you use these pens, you won’t have to worry about damaging the tips no matter how much you use the pens.

How To Choose Paint Marker for Canvas

While most of the canvas marker pens I listed above are pretty much similar in nature, these pens have different uses and advantages. You need to zero in on the one that has the best features for your own needs. In any case, you want to consider the following factors to help you choose the most suitable markers to use on canvas:

Colors

Most paint pens have around 12 basic colors such as red, yellow, blue, orange, violet, black, white, brown, green, silver, and yellow. However, there are packs that have even more colors.

There are other colors such as baby blue, pale pink, metallic gold, and other variants that you can possibly think of. If you want to make simple art or would do just fine with basic colors, you don’t need to buy the pack with a lot of different pigments.

However, if you want to make use of more shades, then you can buy the pack with up to 25 or 30 colors. That’s really all up to your own creative juice.

Tip Size

Tip size is also really important as it will determine the thickness of the line you draw. For instance, if you buy a fine tip paint marker, then you’ll be able to draw even the tiniest details in your painting. However, you can expect that the fine tip pen won’t be able to give you thick and full colors. For that, you’ll need paint markets with a bigger tip.

A fine tip paint marker will usually have a size of around 1mm to 2mm. There are even some markers with tips the size of 0.7mm. Some of our products have this kind of tip size. Of course, they will allow you to draw very thin lines if you use these markers on canvas.

The bigger ones, on the other hand, have tip sizes of around 3mm or 5mm. When you use these acrylic markers on canvas, you can create big and bold lines. You can even fill your drawing with nice colors using these. These are great not for drawing lines but are really better for doing actual coloring.

I recommend that you buy one pack with fine tip markers and another with bigger tips. That way, you have one type of coloring and another for drawing lines.

Compatible Surface Material

Each paint marker will specialize in a particular set of surfaces. For example, some markers are best for painting on glass, canvas, plastic, paper, porcelain, or metal. On the other hand, there are also others that are more compatible with a cloth. There are even paint markers for shoes if you like. It all really depends on what you’re looking for.

Health Considerations

When I pick my paint markers, I also factor in the health considerations. For instance, I wouldn’t want to buy paint markers that have strong odors and are filled with chemicals. I will usually look for the ones that are xylene-free and acid-free.

Base

It’s also important to consider the base of the paint marker. You’ll either buy acrylic markers for canvas or oil paint pens for canvas.

For acrylic markers, you can choose the watercolor type. Typically, this type doesn’t last that long and can easily be wiped off. However, it can dry extremely fast and also produce a light type of color. If that’s what you’re after, then consider buying acrylic paint pens for canvas.

If you’re looking for fuller colors, then oil-based paints are what you need. Oil-based paints are pretty slow to dry but won’t be wiped off right away. If it’s longevity that you’re after, I suggest you go for oil-based paint markers.

Can you use Regular Markers on Canvas?

If you’re still wondering whether a regular marker can be used as a drawing tool on your canvas, the answer is yes. You can definitely get creative with your regular markers.

To create beautiful works, you can use water-based and oil-based paints, paint pens, or acrylic paint markers. With the right combination, they can produce a variety of effects for your painting, such as vividness, brightness, and even boldness.

Even if you’re not familiar with how to shade and blend with regular markers, you can always learn the tricks and techniques.

However, as most claim, oil-based and acrylic markers are still a tad better in drawing on canvas than water-based ones.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Who is This for?

This type of product can be for anyone who wants to create art. It’s for both artists and individuals who are not artists as well.

For artists, it gives them an avenue to explore a whole new type of painting through bold colors.

For non-artists, it’s an easy way to create pretty sketches that can be used on various things. It can be used for painting shirts, cups, and other things that can be used as giveaways or gifts.

What are The Advantages and Disadvantages of Using Paint Markers for Canvas?

I’d say that the main advantage of using a marker for canvas is that it’s extremely easy to use. Unlike paintbrushes, you don’t need to use so many strokes and techniques. It’s pretty much like painting with a pencil, especially if you use the fine tip type.

The only downside of using this type of painting material is that you need to buy a lot of it to add to your collection. For instance, you need to buy one set of thin fine tip pens and one set of thick ones if you really want to create beautiful pictures.

Of course, you don’t need to buy so many if you’re only going to use them for gifts, but it does pay to have a collection of different types.

Another downside is that you may need to buy various colors if you want your picture to be more robust and detailed. If you’re a real artist, you most likely won’t be satisfied with just the basic colors.

How to Use it?

The way you use the marker on canvas really depends on your technique. Typically, artists would use markers to first trace the lines of the picture they want to draw then use the thicker tip pens to fill in the color.

Since it’s art, there are actually so many ways of using it depending on your preferences. Don’t stick to just one technique. Explore different and more innovative ways to make use of this amazing product.

Where to Buy?

There are actually so many places where you can buy these marker pens. You can buy them at your local art store or even online. You can check out Amazon, Iowes, Walmart, and Home Depot for starters.

How to Take Good Care of Your Paint Markers?

Unlike paint brushes, paint markers are actually very easy to maintain. You just need to remember to always put the lid back on after you use it so that it won’t dry out quickly.

You also need to make sure that the marker nibs are cleaned regularly. You just need to rinse them from time to time so that they don’t wear out. If they do get damaged, you can always just replace them. Retailers do have replacement nibs to buy if you want.

Another thing you need to take into consideration is the leakage or flooding problem. This usually happens when there is an excess of paint that leaks out but is not absorbed. If this happens, all you need to do is wipe off the excess paint.

Is There a Warranty for Paint Markers?

There aren’t any warranties for this kind of product. That’s why it’s very important to test it out before using it. If you buy them online, test them out the moment you receive them so you’ll know if they’re working or not.

Conclusion

This guide listed down the 12 best paint markers for canvas, a buying guide to help you pick the most suitable pen for writing on canvas, and some FAQs that can help you use your marker to its full potential.

With this guide on hand, you can really make use of your new set of paint markers. You can now create beautiful pictures and make amazing homemade art that can be turned into gifts for friends and family.

That said, I hope you enjoyed our little buying guide, and I also hope that you learned something after reading it.