Best Inks To Use With Copic Markers by Sharon Harnist

Since Copic markers are an alcohol-based dye ink, they require a certain type of ink to be compatible when coloring rubber stamped images.  For instance, Tsukineko's Staz-On ink is usually permanent on just about any surface but the alcohol in Copics react to the solvent in Staz-On and basically reactivate the dried Staz-On and will smear an image stamped with it: 

The scribble of pink under the marker tip is the color the marker is supposed to be.  See how the marker reacts with the Staz-On stamped sleeves and smears them?

Following are a few different ink options that work well with Copics.

Note: For these tests, I used Neenah Classic Solar White 80 lb. cardstock and Lockhart Stamp Company's Vintage Apron stamp.

My all-time favorite ink to use with Copics is Tsukineko's dye-based Memento Tuxedo Black ink pad.  It stamps crisp, clean and clear, dries very quickly and a stamped image can be colored immediately after stamping, with no smearing:

 

Above are examples of coloring a Memento stamped image (upper left) immediately after stamping, (upper right) 30 seconds after stamping, and (bottom) one minute after stamping. 

Below are the results of using Copic's Colorless Blender, repeatedly rubbing over the stamped lines of the apron's neckstrings (right where the marker tip is pointing):

The Blender was rubbed repeated over the black stamped lines and never smeared. This ink performed excellent on all the tests.

Next is Ranger's Adirondack Pitch Black dye-based ink pad.  It also stamps crisp, clean and clear but generally needs just a little bit longer to dry well on its own.

The same coloring tests were performed -- immediately after stamping, 30 seconds after stamping, and one minute after stamping:

 

My apologies for the blurriness at the top of the photo, but hopefully if you click on the photo for a closer look, you'll see a little smearing on the top left sleeve (immediately after stamping).  But as the ink dried on its own, you'll see it performed well under normal coloring circumstances.

But the Blender marker test left a little smearing of the stamped neckstrings (click for a closer view):

 

Keep in mind, the Blender marker was rubbed repeatedly over the stamped lines, so under normal coloring circumstances, you probably wouldn't experience this problem.

I also tried heat setting the Adirondack ink for 30 seconds and then waited for 10-15 minutes before coloring the stamped image, with improved coloring results:

 

Bleeding with the Blender test was also improved:

Lastly, I tested Tsukineko's Brilliance Graphite Black pigment ink pad.  This is the ink I used to use all the time with my Copics, before Tsukineko came out with their Memento line of ink.  Because it is pigment-based, you will need to let this ink dry thoroughly before coloring it, or quickly heat set it.  In my test, I let the stamped image air dry for about an hour, with these results:

 

Same crisp, clear and clean stamped image and no bleeding of the stamped lines when Copic marker was applied over the ink.  Remember, I colored outside of the lines on the left sleeve for testing purposes below (wink)!

This ink also performed excellently, even after repeated rubbing with the Blender marker to remove the pink marker on the neckstring.

I hope that gives you some ink options to keep in mind when coloring with your Copics!  Below is a little eye candy I made with one of these stamped Lockhart Vintage Aprons, combining it with the more masculine/less frilly Apron:

 

Invitation Supplies:

• Lockhart Apron & Vintage Apron
• Memento Tuxedo Black ink
• Copic markers RV34, RV17, YG03, YG17, E47
• Basic Grey Sultry papers
• Memory Box Currant notecard
• Martha Stewart Zig Zag Edger Punch

• Computer generated wording

Comments

[AnnetteH]

Thanks for the comparison.
I guess I will be investing in some more Memento colors.

Pretty Invitation!

[Kathleen]

This was so helpful! I'm just "getting into" these markers & I was so disappointed, because I used the wrong ink pad! Thank you again!

[Jenny (Wifey Cookie)]

This is a very helpful guide for stampers and Copic users.I always find it difficult to get Memento Tuxedo Black in craft shops here in Singapore. This gives me other options. Thank you!

[Lisa]

Love the card you made.

[Sharon Harnist]

Hi, Swati --
You cant go wrong with either Neenah Solar or Natural White cardstock or X-Press It Blending Card. Each have different characteristics, so you may prefer one over the other. Have fun experimenting!

Sharon Harnist
Sent from my iPhone

[Swati chavan]

Thank god! I found u :) , I'm sooooo happy finally the answer to my question , I have been sooo lost all this while u have no idea :) , thank u soooooo much , a perfect and an awesome way to explain , just one last crucial question which cardstocks r the best with the copic markers n the memento black ink , do suggest me a few so I can buy them immediately n start off , I'm so excited about this one eagerly waiting for ur reply so I can try it all out immediately , ttthhhaaannnkkkksssss o loooooooot :)

[moncler netherland]

Nice, and thanks for sharing this info with us.Good Luck!

[keylogger Mac]

This is my first time i visit here. I found interesting things to many in your blog, mostly to the debate. Of the tons of comments on your articles, I’m not the only one who has all the fun here!

[Mary Lee K]

Excellent examples & what a gorgeous card you created. You matched the Sultry colors perfectly!! Thank you so much for sharing w/ us!

[Home & Garden]

Thank you for sharing. Very happy to see your article, I very much to like and agree with your point of view. Have a good time.

[new balance]

The only limit to our realization of tomorrow will be our doubts of today .

[Retro Jordans]

Thank you for that great tutorial. I think it is the only one on the Web. The three parts with the picture are in my files, now.
You make me happy :-)

[www.google.com/accounts/o8/id?id=AItOawkl3EylL2CNYvJOu2vtUaVd0BdvfmoJ-Ks]

Do you know if printer inks have the same problem when using a digi stamp. Someone told me that inkjet printer inks will run too?

[Sharon White]

Thanks SO much. I too bought copics and even asked the clerk at the craft store about inks and she told me Staz-on. I got so frustrated that it didn't work. I too haven't used my markers much because of this. One other question, Does the type of paper matter? I use Stampin' Up's whisper white most of the time and it has a slight coating on it. Does this matter?

[Lynn]

I was introduced to Copic markers about a year ago. Every image I tried to color was terrible because the black ink I used smeared no matter how careful I was. I bought different markers because of that experience. Obviously, that group of ladies I was cropping with, were not aware of the special ink requirements of shading with Copics. Even the owner of the Copic markers. Thank you for this information. I can't wait to try these markers again:]

[Roemary]

this is perfect!!..I just used Verafine black and I had to go over the black lines after using my copics..

Thank you for posting this.

[Nina]

Wow, really needed this. Thanks so much for sharing! =)

[LORRAINE]

THIS HAS BEEN VERY USEFUL THANK YOU FOR SHARING.

[Dani B]

Thank you! I've been testing this stuff myself and it gets a bit expensive. Thanks for the recommendations!

[LadyDoc]

Thanks so much! I know now I need Memento for my markers.

[Betty M]

I like that you used the pictures to demonstrate the information that you wanted to get across. It helped immensely. I am definitely going to bookmark this information - I still need to get Copics. The comparisons is really helpful - that way you know what ink to go out and purchase instead of trying them all - you have done it for us. Thanks.

[Kathy V.]

This is enormously helpful, Sharon. And your invitation is wonderful!

[Elaine]

Thanks for the great comparison info and pictures.
Cute card; the aprons are colored beautifully.

[Christine]

Awesome tutorial. I like Momento's Tuxedo Black best too.
xoxo, Christine

[Penny J.]

Great job Sharon! Thanks for the comparisons.