One of the most common questions I’m asked on a regular basis is what pens are best for hand lettering projects. My usual response is to recommend my favorite go-to tools like the Tombow Fudenosuke and Dual Brush Pens for paper based designs. But what about when you want to take your lettering off the page and use it on wood, canvas, fabric, chalkboards, and more? Water-based pens won’t do the trick for surfaces like those.

Here’s a quick guide to some of the tools I use for non-paper projects. This is by no means everything that’s available on the market, just what I’ve used and can share about firsthand. I’ll give you the pros and cons of each, what surfaces they work on, and a visual example of how they look on a project. Ready? Let’s get started!

PERMANENT MARKERS

Sharpie Fine Point Permanent Marker

This is your standard, everyday Sharpie marker.

THE FACTS:

Available in 41 standard colors plus 3 metallics.
Also available with ultra-fine and chisel tips.
Sold individually or in packs.

WORKS WELL ON:

paper, plastic, metal, wood, painted surfaces, terracotta, glass {non-permanent unless baked}

PROS:

permanent
easy to control
very affordable {24 for $15} and available almost everywhere

CONS:

Will “bleed” color along the grain of untreated wood and fabric.
Doesn’t perform well on textured surfaces like canvas/rough wood because the pigment won’t go down into the crevices.
Can take on a glossy appearance when applied to painted wood.
Tips fray with frequent use.

Click here for full instructions on this project.

Tombow Monotwin

This is Tombow’s version of a permanent marker for artists.

THE FACTS:

Black
Dual tip: Broad and Fine

WORKS WELL ON: 

paper, plastic, metal, wood, painted surfaces, terracotta

PROS:

Two tips in one marker so you can choose the best one for each project or use both, like I did in the sample project below. You can see that I used the fine tip for the print letters and broad tip for the script.
Tips retain their shape well even with frequent use.
Permanent
Easy to control

CONS:

Will “bleed” color along the grain of untreated wood and fabric.
Only available in black.
Not as readily available in stores.
More expensive {$3.39 + shipping}, but you can catch a good sale, plus you’re getting two markers in one.

Click here for full instructions on this project.

Sharpie Brush-Tip Permanent Markers

These are totally unique in that they are the only thing I’ve found with an actual brush tip that works on surfaces other than paper!  ***Except for a “Stained by Sharpie” fabric marker I just found out about but haven’t tried***

THE FACTS:

Available in 12 colors.

WORKS WELL ON:

paper, plastic, metal, wood, painted surfaces, terracotta, glass {non-permanent unless baked}

PROS:

Flexible brush tip!
Control it just like your favorite brush pens.
Permanent
Affordable {12 for $13}

CONS: 

Tips fray somewhat quickly, so you lose the fine line of your upstrokes.
Dry out quickly, especially if you don’t immediately cap them.
Takes on a glossy appearance on painted wood.
Brush tip is rather large, so it’s not ideal for smaller projects.

Click here for full instructions on this project.

PAINT PENS

Elmers Painters Opaque Paint Markers

Unlike the permanent markers we looked at, these pens are filled with actual paint but with a marker-like tip that allows you to control exactly where the paint goes.

THE FACTS:

Made with non-toxic acrylic paint.
Acid-free & photo safe.
Available in 23 colors including metallics.
Sold individually or in packs of 5.
Available in fine bullet tip, medium bullet tip, chisel tip, and super tip {for large projects}

WORKS WELL ON:

wood, plastic, clay, ceramic, glass, metal, foam board, fabric, terracotta

PROS:

Easy to find in stores {I often get mine individually at Walmart}.
Performs well on textured surfaces such as the wallet shown below.
Tips stand up well to repeated use.
Acid-free acrylic paint won’t damage delicate surfaces.
Lots of color and tip choices.
Dries quickly when applied to your surface.

CONS:

Personally, I find that I go through the ink somewhat quickly.
Sometimes you’ll get a defective one where the tip will fall out, or the paint will ooze out too quickly causing drips and “rivers” on your project. This is not overly common, but has happened to me several times.

Click here for full instructions on this project.

SHARPIE OIL-BASED PAINT PENS

These work in a similar fashion to the Painters markers, but are filled with oil-based paint rather than acrylic.

THE FACTS:

Fine tip is available in 15 colors, including metallics {other tips have less color variety}
Available in extra-fine, fine, medium, and bold bullet tips.
Sold individually and in packs.

WORKS WELL ON:

metal, pottery, wood, rubber, glass, plastic, stone, and more

PROS:

Quick-drying
Resists water, fading, and abrasion.
Good for indoor/outdoor projects.
Great for window art.
Tips hold their shape.

CONS:

Somewhat strong smell.
Not acid-free.

Click here for full instructions on this project.

DECOCOLOR ACRYLIC PAINT MARKER by MARVY UCHIDA

Like the Elmers Painters, these markers are filled with opaque acrylic paint.

THE FACTS:

Available in 28 colors, including 6 metallics.
Acid-free, non-toxic acrylic paint.
Available tips: extra-fine, fine, and broad bullet tips, 3 way chisel tip, calligraphy tip, and jumbo

WORKS WELL ON:

wood, plaster statues, foam projects, walls, plastic, paper craft, terracotta, and more

PROS:

Acid-free & safe for delicate surfaces.
Lots of color and tip options.
Easy to control.
Has the look and feel of acrylic paint applied with a brush.

CONS:

More difficult to find in-store.
Slightly more expensive than some competitors.

Click here for full instructions on this project.

CHALK PENS/MARKERS

AMERICAN CRAFTS ERASABLE CHALK MARKER

If you want the look and feel of a real chalkboard project without the chalk, this is your new favorite tool.

THE FACTS:

Available in 17 colors including pastels, neons, and metallics.
More like a crayon or grease pen than a marker {see the photo above}.
Wet-erasable.

WORKS WELL ON:

blackboards, glass, and mirrors, wood, canvas, and more

PROS:

Gives the appearance of real chalk without any of the mess. See the example projects below and look at the texture in the coloring/writing.
Very bright white & vibrant colors show up well on both light and dark surfaces.

CONS:

Can leave “ghosting” on your surface…may not wipe off completely or easily.
Broad tip that flattens out quickly; not good for detail work or small projects.
Unshaped/constantly reshaping tip makes it difficult to create smooth fine lines.
Personally, I found that I use them up fast. Like with real chalk, the “crayon” will disappear as you use it and you’ll eventually have nothing left to draw with.

Click here for full instructions on this project.

Click here for full instructions on this project.

BISTRO CHALK MARKER by MARVY UCHIDA

Liquid chalk gives you the total control of a paint marker but with a matte, chalky finish.

THE FACTS:

Available in 15 colors.
Removable with a damp cloth.
Available in 3mm and 6mm bullet tip as well as ‘jumbo’

WORKS WELL ON:

chalkboards, light boards, windows, windshields and most non-porous surfaces including painted wood/canvas

PROS:

Liquid chalk gives the look of chalk without the mess and allows you to create fine, precise lines.
Marker tip makes it very easy to control.
Erasable – perfect for chalkboard projects you want to change from time to time.

CONS:

Can smudge or smear if someone rubs it. My projects on the wall have been fine, but if you have small kids or the project will be touched/handled often, I would use a permanent paint marker instead.

CERAMIC MARKERS

PAINTED BY ME CERAMIC MARKERS 

Click here for full instructions on this project.

If you want to create lettered art on plates, cups, and other dishware that will actually be used, these are the ONLY option I’ve found that is actually permanent and not just non-toxic but FOOD SAFE. There’s a difference! With all other markers, while you can use them on glass and bake/cure them, the design should be kept out of direct contact with your food and/or mouth.

THE FACTS:

Available in 13 colors including metallics.
Sold individually.
Bullet tip

WORKS WELL ON:

ceramic, glass, dishware

PROS:

Uniquely designed for writing on glass and glazed ceramics.
Dishwasher & microwave safe!
FOOD SAFE!
Can be cleaned off the surface up until you bake it, so you can correct any mistakes.
Easy to use/control
Lots of color choices, colors are vibrant on light colored dishes

CONS:

Not sold in stores, can be hard to find some colors except on ilovetocreate.com.
Expensive from third party sellers {less $$ ordered directly from ilovetocreate site: $4.99 per pen}.
May rub off if curing directions are not followed exactly.

Click here for full instructions on this project.

Well, there you have it! I hope you’ve found something that will work for whatever your next lettering project may be! As you can see, there is no “one right pen” to use all the time; instead you should ask yourself a few questions about your project to help you choose a good tool.

What’s my surface?
Do I want a permanent or erasable design?
Do I need a specific color?
What’s my budget?
Do I need the pen today or can I wait to order it?

There are many other options out there, I have just chosen to talk about the ones I personally use on a regular basis so that I can tell you about them firsthand. I’d love to hear about any of your favorites that I haven’t mentioned. This post does contain Amazon affiliate links, so if you happen to click on the product name and then purchase a pen or two, a small part of your purchase will help to fund the work I do here at One Artsy Mama at no extra cost to you. For a full list of my favorite pen and lettering supplies, be sure to check out my Amazon Associates page where I’ve rounded them all up in one place for you!

Happy Lettering!

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