Creative uses for paint pens

Unlock the unlimited uses of POSCA

POSCA Markers

What are POSCA pens?

Known for their versatility, durability, vibrant colours, and usability, POSCA markers from Uni-ball have become a go-to for anyone looking to add colour and creativity to their projects. Their unique formula consists of an acrylic water-soluble paint that is quick-drying, easy to apply and non-toxic. In this blog, we explore the different surfaces POSCA can be used on, the wide variety of uses, their main features and the industries they are most used in.

View our range of POSCA markers for an extensive collection of POSCA markers and POSCA marker sets.

Key features and characteristics of POSCA markers

• Wide colour range: Vibrant primary, metallic, pastel and fluorescent colours.
• Water-based paint: Odourless, non-toxic, making them very safe to use.
• Blendability and layering: Create gradients, shading and blending effects.
• Long-lasting and permanent: Permanent depending on surface and finish.
• Various tip sizes and shapes: Extra-fine, fine, medium and bold tips.
• Works on many surfaces: Suitable for paper, canvas, wood, metal etc.
• The versatility of use: Suitable for drawing and writing on different surfaces.

1. Prepare your surface by cleaning and drying it, ensuring all dirt and dust is removed. Sanding might be necessary if you are working on an uneven surface. Prime your surface with a liquid primer or spray primer from Edding or Talens if you wish to increase the durability of the POSCA markers.
2. Shake the POSCA marker up and down with the cap still firmly on. While shaking the paint pen you should be able to hear a ball moving around inside. This sound means that the paint inside is being released and mixed.
3. Take off the cap and begin using the pen.
4. Press the tip of the pen and hold the tip down onto a spare test piece of paper until the paint is visibly released into the tip, this means the ball inside has been activated. Test the flow of the paint to see if it’s a smooth and consistent line.
5. Begin creating your artwork and get creative! Apply with even and gentle pressure and recap after use.
6. Layering and blending are achievable by applying a selection of different coloured POSCA pens. To layer paint you must ensure each layer is dry before applying another separate colour. To blend paint you must ensure your paint is still wet, as if it is dry the colours will not mix. When the paint is wet it is mixable, allowing you to create gradient-like effects or mix colours fluidly. For additional effects apply a slightly wet painting brush to the POSCA paint.
7. Reshake if necessary, if the paint stops or stops flowing as smoothly reshaking the pen will provide a more consistent flow, just ensure that the cap is securely back on.
8. Use a lacquer varnish spray, for wooden, plastic, metal, stone or ceramic surfaces if you wish to preserve and protect your creation. A clear lacquer spray over your pen artwork is excellent for adding depth and enhancing colours. It is not necessary to apply a spray varnish to every type of surface.
9. Use a heat press or iron, for textile or fabric surfaces to ensure your creation is secured.
10. Clean by rinsing the tip in water if you feel it is necessary.

The versatility of POSCA markers across industries

POSCA markers are a popular tool among artists, designers, and crafters. POSCA markers are available in a variety of tip sizes and colours, including vibrant metallic and fluorescent shades. POSCA markers are often used for drawing, painting, and decorating accessories, textiles and furnishings. They can be used on a wide range of surfaces both indoors and outdoors.

These paint markers are not exclusive to the creative arts. Industries such as the automotive, education, industrial manufacturing, fashion and interior design industry find the use of this quick-drying marker convenient. POSCA markers are an excellent choice for commercial display purposes for automotive traders, trade shows, restaurants and car hire companies to display information or promotional discounts.

Unlock the unlimited uses of POSCA

• Painting and drawing: As POSCA markers are available in many sizes they are perfect for drawing detailed graphics, illustration artwork and designs. Their vibrant colours add great colour depth to creations. The wider and larger size POSCA markers are ideal for covering larger-scale painting surfaces.
• Calligraphy and sign writing: Use POSCA markers to create modern or traditional style calligraphy. Paint pens are often used to create flourishes and embellishments to enhance your calligraphy pieces. Use paint pens for chalkboard calligraphy perfect for streetside display. Personalise gifts, cards, invites or seating arrangement cards.
• Retail display: Mural window display design is an attractive and clear way to brighten up or display information for shop use, in cafes or restaurants. In order to remove POSCA paint from a surface like glass, metal or plastic in your retail space use a solvent like a mild alcohol or diluted acetone with a soft cleaning pad or cloth to rub the ink off.
• Labelling: POSCA pens are ideal for use as a way to easily identify and label things at home or in the workplace.
• Artistic creations: POSCA paint pens are perfect for drawing, sketching, colouring, and adding details to your artwork. DIY projects: Personalise and customise objects like mugs, t-shirts, shoes, bags, and more. Create happy stones with colours, patterns and words.
• Home décor and up-cycling: POSCA markers can transform your home by adding designs and patterns to furniture, glass, ceramics, lampshades, and other home décor items. Create decorations and revamp your interiors.
• Office supplies: These markers can be used to label, highlight and mark different items like files, folders, and containers. Paint pens are also ideal for the personalisation of belongings in your office workspace. Educational purposes: Teachers and students can use POSCA markers for creating murals, group work, illustrative posters, charts, and presentations.

Best Paint Pens and Paint Markers for Crafts

One of the most common questions I get is “What are the best paint markers for art and crafts.” A few years ago there were not many brands to choose from but now there are a ton of paint pen options and since I’ve tried many on the market, I’m happy to share the best paint pens for wood, rocks, canvas, glass and more.

You can use acrylic paint markers on virtually any surface, including wood, metal, rocks, shells, plastic, porcelain, terra-cotta, canvas, fabric and more. Additionally acrylic paint pens work well on both rough and smooth surfaces. Paint pens are highly pigmented, producing bright and colorful designs. With paint pens, the acrylic paint is permanent and you get all the benefits as you would using regular acrylic paint but with the control and precision of a marker.

Acrylic Paint Pen Craft Ideas

• Rock painting
• Flower pot design
• Furniture art
• Custom coffee mugs
• Wine glass designs
• DIY Phone case
• Shoe art

Best Acrylic Paint Pens

1. Posca Acrylic Paint Markers – Posca paint markers are a favorite among artists and crafters. Because Posca paint pens contain opaque water-based paint, they can be used on a variety of surface. Posca markers are perfect for drawing and painting as they come in a variety of sizes: extra fine point, fine point, medium point, and broad point. If you are looking for a paint pen that has bright and bold colors, Posca is an excellent choice. They also last longer than most other paint pen brands that tend to dry out over time.
2. Artistro Acrylic Paint Pens – The Artistro paint pen brand is another great option. With Artistro acrylic paint markers you get a full range of values from dark to light and bright to muted. The consistency is smooth and easy to layer, creating clean, finished artwork. The paint also dries quickly helping to avoid smearing. These paint pens are perfect for wood, canvas and rocks. Artistro pens come in a variety of sets with different colors and tip sizes: extra fine point paint pens, set of 42 colors, and medium tip paint markers.

3. Tooli-Art Acrylic Paint Pen Brand -Tooli-Art has a huge selection of different paint pen sizes and colors and are a solid paint marker option. This paint pen set of essential colors is a great place to start. If you want to expand your color options, Tooli-Art offers this set of neon paint pens and this set of earth tone and skin color paint pen colors.

Paint markers are a must-have item for any artist or crafter. They are also great for all ages. For younger children looks for paint pen tips that are medium size and larger. The larger nib makes it easier for small hands to control the paint flow. If you’re looking for more paint pen craft ideas, make sure you’re following along with me on Instagram and Tiktok.