Sharpie Pens, Sharpie Permanent Markers, and Sharpie Paint Markers

Sharpie® pens and markers by Sanford are wonderful and versatile arts and crafts supplies. You can choose a water based or an oil based paint marker. And they come with different sized tips. You will love them!

Sharpie pens and markers have been around for quite a while but the product line has been expanded over the years. Until fairly recently, the only Sharpies that I had really used much were black ones that I use for labeling stuff and for addressing packages to mail. I wasn't even aware that there were Sharpies that have extra-fine tips or that there was a choice between water based and oil based markers.

For my arts and crafts projects, I usually have used DecoColor paint markers and I have been very satisfied with that brand. But one time I needed some more paint markers and I went to an art supply store that I hadn't been to before -- and Sharpie was the only brand of paint markers that the store sold.

I was disappointed because I really didn't want to take a chance on the Sharpies. I wanted the tried and true brand that I was used to. But I really needed the markers and I didn't want to have to go to another store for them. So I reluctantly decided to give the Sharpies a try. As it turned out, I liked the Sharpies very much -- not necessarily better than DecoColor, but about the same for the most part.

I did have a problem with the white marker (extra-fine tip, oil-based). The paint came out in blobs and made a mess. I took it back to the store and got another one, but the same thing happened with that one. It could have been that there was a problem just with that particular batch. I have not experienced that problem with other colors, just with the white.

Sharpies come in more tips sizes than Decocolor markers do. Sharpies come in extra fine, fine, medium, and bold. The bold ones are quite thick and I don't use them. They probably would work fine if you were making a large poster. But for small projects and for detail work, they are much too big. I really like the fine and extra fine markers though.

As I mentioned before, Sharpies are available in water based and oil based paint markers. Both kinds produce an opaque color and can be used on light or dark surfaces.

Sharpie pens also are available in many colors, although not every size is available in all colors.

Sharpie paint markers need to be shaken before use. Also, like most paint markers, they can get clogged up between uses. For craft tips on what to do in these situations, see the Acrylic and Oil Based Paint Marker page.

For more product information and to purchase Sharpie pens, visit my Dick Blick and Misterart affiliate links* at Sharpie Oil-Based Paint Markers and Sharpie Poster-Paint Markers.

For other general painting tips, see the Craft Tip and Technique page.

(*Click here for FTC disclosure information on my affiliate links compensation.)

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