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Are Prismacolor Markers Alcohol Based?
Yes, Prismacolor Markers are alcohol-based. Prismacolor Markers feature an advanced dye-based alcohol ink formulation that provides rich color saturation and coverage and smooth ink flow.
Prismacolor alcohol-based ink has a number of benefits to artists of all skill levels. The main benefits are that Prismacolor ink dries quickly and is blendable. However, it’s worth mentioning that some streaks may show up when blending. Overall, Prismacolors alcohol-based ink allows for blending and layering without much damage to the paper.
If you are looking into Prismacolor markers and are in want more information, I have answered some of the frequently ask questions below.
Are Prismacolor Markers Water Based?
No, Prismacolor Markers are not water-based. Prismacolor uses an alcohol-based ink. Well, at least the most popular Prismacolor markers. It is worth mentioning that Prismacolor does produce a line of water-based markers, known as their Scholar series.
Water-based ink, like in the Prismacolor Scholar Markers, is odorless since there are no chemicals used. This makes water-based ink markers ideal for kids and beginner artists. Water-based ink is generally waterproof. However, it takes way longer to dry than alcohol-based ink.
Are Prismacolor markers as good as Copic?
No, Prismacolor Markers are not as good as Copic. Prismacolor Markers are excellent for artists of all levels. While Prismacolors are disposable and cheaper than Copic. On the other hand, Copic Markers are considered by artists to be the most versatile, highest quality, and longest-lasting alcohol-based marker available. Another differentiating factor is Copics are refillable.
If you want to learn more about Copic Markers, we breakdown why Copic Markers are so good in this article: Why Are Copic Markers So Expensive?
Are Prismacolor Markers good?
Yes, Prismacolor Markers are good. Prismacolor Markers are excellent markers for artists of all kinds. If you are looking for a high-quality permanent marker for art, but don’t want to invest in the more expensive Copic Markers, I highly recommend Prismacolors.
Prismacolor Markers feature a permanent and non-toxic ink that is available in a wide range of 200 colors. They might not have the range of colors Copic offers. However, Prismacolors do offer brighter, more saturated hues. Prismacolor now features the art brush nib, which is similar to Copics Super Brush. Definitely an improvement over the bullet nib, you can now apply paintbrush-like strokes.
What are the best alcohol markers?
The best alcohol markers on the market today are Copic Markers. They are widely regarded as the best alcohol-based markers in nearly every category. However, the refillable Copic markers are very expensive. Therefore they are an investment. So can they be the “best” alcohol markers for everyone? Perhaps not.
If you are a casual, beginner artist, or just on a tight budget, Copic Markers won’t be the best choice. If you don’t want to invest in Copics, there are other options such as Prismacolor, or the budget choice Ohuhu.
How long do Prismacolor markers last?
How long Prismacolor Markers last will depend on how frequently you use them. One thing is for sure, with non-refillable ink, they won’t last forever. If you are a casual artist who does a couple of pieces per month, one of your highly used markers can last around 5 months, give or take.
If you use Prismacolor markers more frequently, like more than once per week, you will definitely find yourself replacing high use colors often. In this situation, you should really think about investing in Copic Markers. Not only is the ink refillable, but the nibs are as well. As a result, in this frequent use scenario, Copic Markers will be cheaper than Prismacolors in the long term.
Conclusion
In the end, Prismacolor Markers are indeed alcohol-based. While they might not be as good as Copic Markers, they offer good value for artists no matter what skill level. Prismacolors, benefits include blendable permanent ink, a wide range of 200 highly saturated colors, and 4 pen types with different nib types. In fact, Prismacolor Markers made our list of Best Art Markers For Professionals.