Promarkers - great marker pens. (Letraset Promarker)

Member Name: daisychaingirl

Product:	Letraset Promarker
Date:	15/07/09 (606 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Cheaper than Copics, more 'translucent' colour.

Disadvantages: Colour range not as extensive as Copics.

If you have read my review on Copic markers, then Letraset Promarkers fall in to the same category. Copics and Promarkers are the 2 most popular brands of marker pen in the papercrafting world right now.

Chances are you are either a Copic fan or a Promarker fan. I happen to be both! Like Copics, Promarkers are alcohol based inks. This means that if you're using them to colour in your rubber stamped images, you need to stamp using dye based ink pads (ideal range is Tsukineko Memento) so the image won't 'bleed' when it comes into contact with the markers. Promarkers are also dual tipped - one bullet tip for larger strokes and one chisel tip for finer detail. I tend to just use the chisel tip for colouring my images. Promarkers give you 'streak free' colouring (just like Copic) and that's one of their big plus points too.

There are 92 colours in the Promarker range. They create a really smooth effect and the colours have a more 'transparent' look to them than the rich and heavy Copics. I like how they create a 'softer' look to my images. Like Copics, i recommend buying more than one shade in each colour family so that you can 'layer' your colours to make your images looks more 3 dimensional. For example, i buy 3 colours in the same family - a light blue, blue and a darker blue.

Here are the advantages of Promarkers over Copic markers in my opinion.

1) They are cheaper. If you buy your Promarkers online you will pay between £1.59 (the cheapest i have found) and £1.99 per pen. Copics are priced at £2 and you won't find them cheaper.

2) More control. I find that the chisel nib on the Promarker is stronger and harder which gives more control when colouring small details and areas. This is a big plus for me.

3) The colour doesn't 'run' as much as Copics can do and doesn't soak through my card as much.

Disadvantages to Copics:

1) More limited range of colours. There are only 92 colours in the Promarker range and a blender pen.

2) They are not refillable like Copics.

3) Compared to Copics, i find they don't colour on as big a range of surfaces.

At the end of the day i think it's down to personal choice. They are both great ranges of marker pens and i have personally bought many from both ranges. If i HAD to make a choice though, i think overall i would say i prefer Copic markers. To me, they're just worth that little bit extra they cost.

Summary: An alternative to Copics that's worth trying.