craftyho
Shy Member
Posts: 32 
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Post by craftyho on Jul 13, 2014 16:58:40 GMT
What's out there that's less costly?
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Post by nesser01 on Jul 13, 2014 17:13:29 GMT
I don't have them but I think the brand is spectrum...they are on my to buy list on amazon. They are cheaper than copics
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CeeScraps
Pearl Clutcher
~~occupied entertaining my brain~~
Posts: 3,822
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Post by CeeScraps on Jul 13, 2014 17:46:09 GMT
I get what you're saying. They are an investment. Remember they are refillable! That's the hook that got me started with them.
Watch for a Copic class close to you. You don't have to have markers. The instructor brings them for you to use.
Blog....I Like Markers is written by Marianne Walker. She is who I took my first couple of classes from. She now has other people teaching classes throughout the country.
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Post by pattyg on Jul 13, 2014 18:53:03 GMT
Bic Mark its.super affordable but nowhere near the color choices. Blend well tho.
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Post by nesser01 on Jul 13, 2014 19:37:31 GMT
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Post by birukitty on Jul 13, 2014 19:55:42 GMT
I have absolutely no experience with the Spectrum Noir markers but I have heard that they dry out quite easily and quickly. Don't know if it's true, but I have heard it.
Are you looking specifically for alcohol markers or just markers to blend?
I myself am looking at Towbow Markers to use with my rubber stamps for coloring and blending. They have an excellent reputation, and although they aren't alcohol, they are water based markers, they are much more affordable for me at this time. I searched a lot on youtube.com for examples using these markers and it helped answer a lot of questions for me at least about whether it was a good buy for me for now.
Debbie in MD.
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Deleted
Posts: 0
Apr 23, 2024 17:53:21 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Jul 13, 2014 22:03:42 GMT
There are some brand new alcohol markers that just recently came out in fact I've not seen much about them yet, they are by Kaisercraft and they are called Kaiserfusion. I haven't tried them out myself but they are very affordable. You can find them here. goo.gl/frHY12There are also spectrum noir which are sold by crafter's companion. And Chromatix which are made by American Crafts. Some other brands include Shinhan Touch Twin, Prismacolor Premier, Marvy LePlume, Kuratake Kurecolor, Letraset, and I've heard that Dick Blick has their own brand but I dont' know what they are called. Hope that helps. |
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NoWomanNoCry
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,856
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Post by NoWomanNoCry on Jul 13, 2014 23:31:03 GMT
I bought a few packs of Spectrum markers. Almost every maker in each pack was dried out when I opened the pack. The ones that weren't dried out soon dried out within a month. One of the marker caps didn't even stay on the marker (this was actually one of the markers that didn't come dried out from pack) do I was using tape to keep it closed. Another marker nib when pushed down to use would go up into the marker and ink leaked out...this was how It came from pack.
I won't waste my money on these markets again. I wish I could afford Copics.
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Post by nesser01 on Jul 13, 2014 23:46:38 GMT
I bought a few packs of Spectrum markers. Almost every maker in each pack was dried out when I opened the pack. The ones that weren't dried out soon dried out within a month. One of the marker caps didn't even stay on the marker (this was actually one of the markers that didn't come dried out from pack) do I was using tape to keep it closed. Another marker nib when pushed down to use would go up into the marker and ink leaked out...this was how It came from pack. I won't waste my money on these markets again. I wish I could afford Copics. That is good to know. You usually get what you pay for. There are always exceptions though. I may try them still though. |
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scrappington
Pearl Clutcher
in Canada
Posts: 3,139
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Post by scrappington on Jul 13, 2014 23:56:32 GMT
Have you thought about coloured pencils and gamasol.
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NoWomanNoCry
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,856
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Post by NoWomanNoCry on Jul 14, 2014 0:05:10 GMT
I bought a few packs of Spectrum markers. Almost every maker in each pack was dried out when I opened the pack. The ones that weren't dried out soon dried out within a month. One of the marker caps didn't even stay on the marker (this was actually one of the markers that didn't come dried out from pack) do I was using tape to keep it closed. Another marker nib when pushed down to use would go up into the marker and ink leaked out...this was how It came from pack. I won't waste my money on these markets again. I wish I could afford Copics. That is good to know. You usually get what you pay for. There are always exceptions though. I may try them still though. If you do try them I would get them one pack at a time just to test out. I bought a few packs at once...my mistake. Good luck  |
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AerynK
Full Member
Posts: 262
Location: CA
Jul 7, 2014 19:51:37 GMT
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Post by AerynK on Jul 14, 2014 2:41:24 GMT
Just my experience. We were given free ones at the Expo for signing up for their emails. Spectrums smell. I'm all for saving money, and I even wanted to get a set to combine with the Copics. Adding other mediums adds texture to whatever you're working on. Still. I have ONE and I can't even open it. The alcohol smell is so strong. I handed a Copic and the SN to my husband and he agreed. Even made a "sniff" and then a face when he smelled the SN marker.
Something to be aware of if you're sensitive to smells.
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Post by penny on Jul 14, 2014 6:40:29 GMT
Have you thought about coloured pencils and gamasol. Seconding this... Good quality pencil crayons are cheaper than Copics, and the gamasol isn't expensive - you can get it at Michaels, art supply shops, etc... I have Copics and love them, but also love my pencil crayons... You can get a nice blend with the pencil crayons, and if you want to add very fine details they're great... You can sharpen the pencil crayon to a very fine point, and the colour won't blend/bleed unless you add the gamesol... Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk |
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Post by scraphappyinjax on Jul 14, 2014 12:29:14 GMT
I haven't gotten on the Copics bandwagon yet but have any of y'all tried the new SU! Blendabilities? Darlene DeVries did a comparison b/t Copics & Blendabilities video but was just curious to know what y'all think. If you aren't familiar w/ Darlene her website is www.darlenedesign.com. She makes really cute cards & great videos. |
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oldcrow
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,828
Location: Ontario,Canada
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Post by oldcrow on Jul 14, 2014 12:55:17 GMT
I haven't gotten on the Copics bandwagon yet but have any of y'all tried the new SU! Blendabilities? Darlene DeVries did a comparison b/t Copics & Blendabilities video but was just curious to know what y'all think. If you aren't familiar w/ Darlene her website is www.darlenedesign.com. She makes really cute cards & great videos. They are less expensive than Copic but you cannot refill them or replace the nibs. So as soon as one dries out you have buy another set of three. I don't see where that would be frugal at all. |
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Post by scraphappyinjax on Jul 14, 2014 14:22:16 GMT
I haven't gotten on the Copics bandwagon yet but have any of y'all tried the new SU! Blendabilities? Darlene DeVries did a comparison b/t Copics & Blendabilities video but was just curious to know what y'all think. If you aren't familiar w/ Darlene her website is www.darlenedesign.com. She makes really cute cards & great videos. They are less expensive than Copic but you cannot refill them or replace the nibs. So as soon as one dries out you have buy another set of three. I don't see where that would be frugal at all. Yes, I do think this is a valid point. From what I'm hearing SU sees the markers as disposable whereas Copics sees their markers as an investment. It will be interesting (at least for me since I'm a demo) to see how SU adapts to this market. |
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momtomy2
Junior Member
Posts: 58
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Post by momtomy2 on Jul 14, 2014 17:38:42 GMT
In addition to the Spectrum Noir ones, there is also a brand called ProMarker that I have seen. I haven't bought either one of these. I usually get Copic sketch 10 at a time when Carpe Diem runs their sale. Also, don't forget that you can get the Copic Cios which is smaller, but less expensive. It is still refillable tho.
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kitbop
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,371
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Post by kitbop on Jul 14, 2014 20:12:28 GMT
I second the recommendation for Copic Ciao markers. They are still refillable, and have the same nib/brush ends as the sketch markers, but are much more affordable. I have a mix of sketch and ciao markers. I LOVE LOVE LOVE having them, even tho I'm not a stamper/colourer. I use them in my scrapbooking almost every LO! And if you have a cameo, you can cut your die cuts in white, have a stash, and colour to coordinate with the LO you are working on.
Kirsten
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Post by nana2callie on Jul 14, 2014 21:41:19 GMT
Listening to several podcasts today (so I can't remember which one) but they recommended the Tim Hotlz distressed markets as another option to the Copics.
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AerynK
Full Member
Posts: 262
Location: CA
Jul 7, 2014 19:51:37 GMT
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Post by AerynK on Jul 14, 2014 21:53:14 GMT
I actually wouldn't recommend that, unless you're willing to work with water a lot and from what you've said, OP, you already have waterbased stuff. Distress Markers don't like to blend like Copics do since the ink is very different. Waterbased vs alcohol. They're fussy, there aren't as many colours, and they're not refillable or nib replaceable either. Again, just a personal opinion. Copic Ciaos are good, but they hold less ink and need to be refilled more often, just so you know. But you get more refills out of a Various Ink refill bottle though, since the marker takes less ink. It's only about 2ccs less anyway. If you DON'T colour every four and a half seconds, like I do, then you won't really need to worry about that though.  Personally I'm dying for a set of Shin Han markers, but those are not that much cheaper. I think it was $3 a marker? They're more on the scale of the Ciaos. What I have seen and heard of the Chameleon markers is not favourable either sadly. I've seen Copic people really struggle with them trying to get colour, or colour variation, out of them because you have to use that little charger. I also worry what it does to the base ink when you're constantly diluting it with clear alcohol... If I had to buy something not Copic at all, and cheaper, I'd go with ProMarkers. I've tried all of the brands mentioned and that's what I'd choose for my own colouring needs. Your mileage may vary though. |
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ddly
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,946
Jul 10, 2014 19:36:28 GMT
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Post by ddly on Jul 14, 2014 22:49:25 GMT
What is gamasol? I do have copies but I rarely use them.
Lisa D.
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Post by htstepper on Jul 15, 2014 0:40:59 GMT
I bought a big set of Prismacolor markers on ebay. I felt like they were comparable to copics.
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momtomy2
Junior Member
Posts: 58
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Post by momtomy2 on Jul 15, 2014 2:28:19 GMT
Carpe Diem has ProMarkers on sale for $1.49 each and Ciao markers on sale for $2.99 each as we speak.
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Post by craftygamer on Jul 15, 2014 2:29:15 GMT
I also have a number of the Prismacolor makers, and I absolutely love them. They do have a smell to them, but I assumed it's just because they are alcohol-based markers. I've never tried copics, so I can't compare them, but the Prismacolor markers I have have always worked well (I've had them for a little over a year). Much like the Copics, you can get them at Michael's with a coupon, which helps with the sticker shock, too.
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
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Post by flypea1 on Jul 21, 2014 0:27:16 GMT
I started with Spectrum Noirs then Tim Holtz distress then finally Copics. I really love the Copics the best. I had the same issue as a PP with my Spectrum Noirs drying out. They do have excellent CS and they sent me brand new markers to replace the dried out ones. But I bought a 10 pack set of Copics on Etsy for a good price and I was hooked. Now I have a pretty decent stash of Copics and I never even touch my Spectrums anymore. I do use the Tim Holtz markers on stamps sometimes.
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Post by bebe on Jul 21, 2014 0:36:26 GMT
Such good information--I am deciding if I want to "invest in copics" I used them at Scrapbook Expo on Friday to "color" on glitter paper--it interesting and very pretty --I'll find the name of the booth we were in--these girls made their own glitter paper and a sticker and we colored in the negative space-interesting
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Post by yayascrapper on Jul 21, 2014 16:29:44 GMT
I guess I'm old school with my Zig pens. No refills or new tips. I'm not sure where you can buy them singularly anymore. Anyone know? I could stand to replace my red one.
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Post by angee on Jul 21, 2014 18:12:09 GMT
Kaisercraft just came out with some alcohol markers called kaiserfusion for $2.99 ea. and that's all I can tell you about them, wished I had more info on them as far as how good they are.
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Personally I'm dying for a set of Shin Han markers, but those are not that much cheaper. I think it was $3 a marker? They're more on the scale of the Ciaos. What I have seen and heard of the Chameleon markers is not favourable either sadly. I've seen Copic people really struggle with them trying to get colour, or colour variation, out of them because you have to use that little charger. I also worry what it does to the base ink when you're constantly diluting it with clear alcohol...
