Alcohol-Based vs Water-Based Marker Pen: What’s the Difference?
If you’re into art, then you must have stumbled upon several art supplies like marker pens.
And if you’re interested to know the nitty-gritty details of alcohol-based and water-based marker pens, then this article is for you.
Read on to learn more about their key differences and some pros and cons, too.
Let’s get started!
7 Key Differences Between Alcohol and Water-Based Marker Pens
If you’re considering buying your first set of marker pens and are confused about what ink type to get, here’s a quick summary below for you to get started:
| Specifications | Alcohol-based Marker Pen | Water-based Marker Pen |
| Cost | Affordable to expensive | Mostly cheap |
| Ability to blend | High | Low |
| Color Variations | Wide range | Limited range |
| Drying time | Fast | Slow |
| Fade resistance | High | Low |
| Paper surface reaction | Bleeds through paper | May warp paper |
| Water resistance | Yes | No |
| Solvent used | Alcohol | Water |
Alcohol-Based vs Water-Based Marker Pens: Pros & Cons
Marker pens are known for their components: dye/pigment and solvent used.
- Dye or pigment – refers to the color of the ink
- Solvent – refers to the liquid that houses the pigment or dissolves the dye
As the name suggests, the marker pens we’re discussing today contain alcohol and water as solvents.
To get to know these art supplies better, here’s a more detailed breakdown:
Alcohol-Based Marker Pens
To start, alcohol-based marker pens contain dye that’s suspended in alcohol (usually ethanol) as solvent.
This marker pen can be used by both beginners and experienced artists out there.
But what are the pros and cons of alcohol-based marker pens?
Here’s a quick summary:
| Pros | Cons |
| Refillable; can be used for a long time | More expensive than water-based marker pens |
| Of higher quality than water-based marker pens | Tends to be smelly or has strong fumes |
| Most alcohol-based marker pens have interchangeable or replaceable nibs/tips. | Needs to be used in a well-ventilated area |
| Offers more writing styles due to its replaceable nibs | The odor or fumes can be harmful to your health |
| Can be easily blended with other colors and the ink does not soak into or wet the paper. | Bleeds through thick paper with high GSM |
| Colors glide smoothly on the paper surface and can be used on metal, plastic, wood, and fabrics | If you make an error, it can be difficult to remove it because alcohol-based marker pens are permanent. |
Water-Based Marker Pens
One of the big differences between alcohol-based and water markers is their solubility.
That said, water-based marker pens consist of ink that can be dissolved in water.
This characteristic makes this art supply perfect for watercolor painting.
To know more about water-based marker pens, here’s a quick summary below:
| Pros | Cons |
| Gives a beautiful watercolor effect on your artwork | Does not dry quickly |
| Offers more character in your artwork since you can blend colors while it’s still wet | Can damage the paper the more you brush in some colors |
| Does not bleed through paper unless you soak it for a long time | Cannot be used on metal, plastic, and other non-porous surfaces |
Alcohol-Based vs Water-Based Marker Pen: Conclusion
Whether you’re a beginner or a pro, it’s important to get to know your tools and supplies.
This helps you assess which art supplies work best for you and the results you want on your artwork.
