The Best Markers for Fashion Illustration for 2023

Before designers sew fabrics together, they brainstorm and translate their ideas into fashion illustrations. This sketching is an important step in the process as it serves as guides for the seamstress. More importantly, the drawings are considered works of art.

Many illustrators and designers like to execute their one-of-a-kind concepts with pens and markers, rather than other drawing instruments and coloring materials. Unlike painting, these tools are convenient as they do not require elaborate preparation. For artists who are always on-the-go, they bring their kits when they go to work or travel out of town to meet clients.

Maybe you’re a seasoned illustrator looking to build your collection of markers or upgrade your tools. Perhaps, you’re new to the industry and looking for reliable tools to start your career as a fashion designer. Either way, I’m here to assist you in finding the best markers for fashion illustration.

Top 10 Marker for Fashion Illustration Reviews

1. Copic Premium Artist Markers

Widely recognized as top-of-the-line, seasoned manga artists, architects, calligraphers, and fashion designers favor Copic markers over the other brands. Made in Japan so you can already imagine how remarkable these tools are. You will never regret buying them and they will be yours forever.

In case you want a set that saves you from the trouble of spending a lot of money on purchasing a new marker if one of them runs out of inks or has broken nib. For that, investing in this set is practical because the markers have replaceable tips and refillable inks.

While we’re on the subject of saving money, let me just add that each marker has dual tips so you do not need to buy separate pens to get the best of both worlds. On one end is a brush tip that works like a real brush for rendering swirls and lines with varying width. On the other end of the marker is a chiseled tip that you can use to color large spaces and shapes.

Inside the nifty packaging with dividers, you will find neatly organized 72 markers with a well-balanced combination of cool and warm colors, as well as a mix of dark and light shades.

As for permanence, these acid-free alcohol-based inks have maximum lightfastness. Using them on uncoated papers, the inks have a long open time which means that you can go back and re-wet them years after you first applied the colors.

Fashion illustrators will love that these markers are blendable, enabling them to render color gradients to show depth. For best results, use these instruments on marker paper as they tend to bleed through the thin pages.

2. Prismacolor 1736674 Markers

Affirming the adage “Quality over quantity,” this set of brush-tipped markers from Prismacolor is one of the most reliable tools for fashion designers. This brand takes pride in its impressive track record of producing markers that novices, advanced hobbyists, and professionals adore. Best of all, their products are more on the budget-friendly side.

With 8 art markers in one set, the product puts forth an unusual roster of colors, namely umber, sepia, green, orange, red, blue, purple, and black. Applying them on paper, I can get the rich hues in vibrant and highly saturated. Even better, the colors do not fade over time due to the strong lightfastness.

Digging more into the properties of the inks, I am happy to share that they do not bleed through paper. As I was testing them, I noticed that the inks dry fast which makes layering colors effortless without smearing. After frequent use, I observed that the markers have not run out of ink so there must be a lot inside the barrels.

In terms of the product’s design, the nibs feel as if I was working with a real brush. Since these tools come with versatile brush tips, I use these markers for coloring, as well as drawing hair, facial features, and adding some textures to the fabrics.

3. Shuttle Art Dual Tip Markers

Satisfying the need for both quality and affordability, complement your fashion design pens with these markers to complete your illustration. Offering 88 unique colors, you can spell out your avant-garde ideas in endless ways.

Starting with its specialty, the vivid colors retain their brightness once they settle on the paper. As these are blending markers, you can produce extra hues with the help of the blender included in the set.

Both pro fashion illustrators and enthusiasts will delight in both the quantity and quality of inks. For instance, this brand promises that its markers can draw a whopping 300 meters of a continuous line, which means that each barrel is filled with inks to the brim. Besides being fade-resistant, the inks are non-toxic and acid-free, which makes them safe for children.

When it comes to nibs, you can take advantage of the wedge nib to produce lines ranging from 1 mm to 7 mm or color large areas. Alternatively, use the 1mm bullet tip for outlines, details, shadows, and highlights.

Designed for comfort, the triangular barrels let me change angles and directions with ease. Plus, all the markers are encased in a durable black bag so you can carry this set everywhere and keep them organized at home.

4. Caliart 100 Colors Alcohol Markers

Another brand of fashion design markers on the economic tier, this kit offers 99 colors and 1 colorless blender giving you the bang for the buck. Recommended by artists and crafters, the performance of this product is beyond satisfactory.

Just like any artist, fashion illustrators love to combine mediums to convey their ideas on paper. To pull off this technique, the marker inks should dry within seconds to prevent bleeding, smudging, and smearing. In this way, you can work with other mediums to create effects that you cannot do with regular markers alone.

Looking at the colors after swatching, I discovered that this set included a range of skin tones. It helps a lot when you want to create pieces worn by a diverse group of models. Apart from black, white, and grays, the product provides a plethora of cool and warm colors.

A versatile art product, the markers have two tips on both ends: 1 mm bullet tip and a 7mm chiseled tip. In effect, these nibs allow for multiple functions including writing, sketching, and coloring. However, this product is flawed.

5. Prismacolor Premier Art Markers

Convenience and versatility are two aspects that many fashion illustrators look for, especially when they travel frequently to meet clients. Thus, dual-tipped markers became their go-to fashion design supplies, giving jet-setting artists the advantage of carrying fewer instruments.

Used by artists and designers from various creative fields, this set has demonstrated their ability to produce rich, vivid colors and smooth gradients. Deemed as a premium set of markers, the inks are alcohol dye-based that works on most papers with no bleeding. In the kit, you will find 12 colors that are suitable for fashion designers who are working with vibrant textiles.

Featuring a standard brush tip and a fine bullet nib, drawing line art and details, as well as coloring, would be a breeze. Upon testing, I find these markers also comfortable to hold. Gliding the bullet nib on paper feels smooth and effortless. Like other Prismacolor markers with brush tips, this one feels like I am painting.

In making sure that the color that both tips release is consistent, the ink is stored in a single source inside each marker. Since round pens tend to roll off the table, the caps are equipped with a stopper.

6. Amazla Alcohol Art Marker Set

In the early stages of your fashion career, it is more advisable to go for budget-friendly markers. Keep in mind that this does not mean that you are sacrificing quality and performance. For this reason, I include this set of 80 art markers.

Some say that the inks of this product can more or less perform like its more expensive counterpart so I tested them. True enough, the colors just pop as they are opaque and vibrant. Most sets with more than 50 colors tend to repeat colors, but with this set, all colors are unique.

As if 80 colors are not enough, blending them opens up a whole new world of shades. For my projects, I use blending techniques to show some shadows and highlights to add depth to my illustrations. Adding details or highlights using gel pens is easy since the alcohol-based inks dry quickly.

Like many dual-tipped markers, these have chiseled tips on one end and bullet tips on the other. Utilizing the 7 mm chiseled tips to color and shade makes it easier to cover large spaces. To render texture or shade small parts, the 1-2 mm bullet tip is extremely useful.

7. L’émouchet Twin Marker Pens

So you bought a new fashion sketchbook and now you are looking for drawing instruments so you can start sketching. Well, say hello to this affordable set of 170!

Knock yourself out with all the 168 colors and 2 colorless blenders. The set includes a swatch card and a 30-sheet marker pad, which I gladly use. After making a swatch, I saw the art product numerous grays and skin colors, in addition to the rainbow of hues. The skin tones are useful for drawing models and apparel with classy neutrals.

Due to the product’s ability to blend, I can generate even more colors that are not readily available in most markers. Performance-wise, the 2 clear blenders exceed expectations as they do not pick up the colors of the other markers. These tools produce smooth gradients without visible edges that appear as the color transitions from dark to light.

In general, the tips are made of quality fibers that do not fray or cause the inks to skip. Since these are dual-tipped markers, you can sketch and color using the bullet nib and let the 7 mm wedge tip take care of the coloring. For the best results, use marker paper or card stock as these alcohol-based markers bleed on thin sheets.

Ever since I started using these markers, I have not seen a single color faded so it’s safe to say that the inks are strong where lightfastness is concerned. Aside from markers, the manufacturer threw in a 2-finger glove to keep you from smudging your artwork.

8. Touchcool Markers for Arts

Our ability to express our ideas hinges upon the choices of available colors in design brand markers set. Hence, many designers lean towards buying packs with dozens of colors such as this art product.

Because of its double-tips, I can use several techniques to show the textures or the shades of the fabric. When presenting textiles with ornate shapes and patterns, the 1 mm bullet nib lets me draw with precision. To fill in large areas, the 6 mm chiseled tip enables me to color evenly and quickly.

Meanwhile, the blending marker is immensely beneficial as it seamlessly combines colors to produce another shade so I can render pieces that look closer to the fabrics that I want to use. In my experience, these alcohol-based inks dry fast. This allows me to work on the other parts of the design without worrying about smearing.

Easy-flowing and highly-saturated, the inks can compete with other well-established brands. Given that this product is in the budget-friendly category, beginners as they won’t feel intimidated by the price. Moreover, they will not regret buying it due to the overall quality of the tips and inks.

9. DasKid Dual Tip Art Markers Set

Some designers prefer to buy less than a dozen markers while others opt for sets of 80 or more than a hundred. Those who are looking for a middle ground will be pleased by this set of 50. Owing to the product’s blending capabilities, you can concoct more hues to achieve the look you are going for.

Giving you premium inks that withstand fading and prevent smearing, these markers are great for both novices and veteran fashion illustrators. On top of the skin tones, you can embellish your outfits with the warm and cool colors to fit any season and occasion.

From printed fabric to classy monochromatic attires, you can create anything by utilizing the dual-tips.Sturdy yet gentle on paper, the tips do not fray despite frequent use. For outlines and detailed work, the 1 mm does the job exceptionally well. While, the 7 mm renders heavy strips of color to create ribbons and hair beautifully. Plus, it comes in handy for coloring large sections of my design.

An aspect of the product worthy of mentioning is the square barrel. Holding the markers feels comfortable and easy to control. At the same time, the body functions as an anti-roll feature to keep these precious tools from falling off the desk.

If you have no plans of buying acrylic marker shelves, the well-made fabric pouch will serve as your storage. It’s easy to carry and perfect for outside drawing.

10. Copic Markers Sketch Fashion Design

Working in a competitive industry such as fashion requires creative skills and dependable tools. Designed for fashion illustrators, the company curated Copic Sketch markers to include 24 colors for you to sketch stylish ensembles.

Trusted by professionals, the markers contain blendable inks so you can whip up more hues like yellow-green, red-violet, and so on. Providing light, mid, and dark tones of each color, fashion designers can add shadows and highlights to make their sketches appear more realistic.

Since markers are alcohol-based, the inks do not soak up and warp the paper when you blend the colors. They dry up fast when you apply them on paper. You can work on the other areas of your illustration without smearing the parts you already inked. Having the ability to resist fading, your designs will retain its original colors for a long time.

Not your regular art supplies, the dual-tipped markers have brush nibs and medium broad nibs. Of all the brush nibs I tried, this one is firm enough which makes it easy to control, yet soft enough to spread the color. Using this tip, I can color my illustrations and render details by adjusting the angle and the pressure.

Lastly, I just want to turn your attention to this casing fabricated to organize your markers neatly. Attached to the wallet are slots that can fit each pen perfectly. Doubles as a portable studio, you can prop the storage case so you can easily pick out the color you need.

What to Look for When Buying Markers for Fashion Illustration

When we look for art supplies in retail stores or e-commerce sites, we feel overwhelmed by all the choices these shops offer. Most sets of markers are not cheap. So, before you set off to find fashion markers, take the time to ask yourself why you want to buy a new set of markers.

Perhaps you need more colors to sketch a new collection of outfits, or maybe you need something that blends smoothly. I’m sure you have plenty of reasons but having specific goals will guide you in your decision. If you’re stumped, I’m sharing these pointers to help you out.

Color selection

If this is your first time to buy fashion sketch markers, choosing between a set of 24 and a set of 80 is a tough decision. You wonder if fewer markers would be enough or if they would limit your creativity.

The trick is to determine your choice of aesthetics. Do you want to create outfits with a rainbow of colors or with a few basic colors? This way you can easily determine which set to buy.

However, if you haven’t figured out the style you want to be known for, that’s okay. Depending on your budget, you can either buy a set of 80 markers or try a few markers until you discover your vision. As you develop your preference, you can purchase other colors that you need as most brands sell markers individually.

Marker tips and nibs

Nowadays, pens and markers come with different types of tips and nibs with a variety of sizes. The fine tips enable you to work on intricate details, while the chiseled tips help you spread colors on large areas faster. Don’t forget the brush tips! These are great for rendering ribbon-like lines, which is also useful for fashion illustrations.

Again, you don’t have to own so many markers just so you can have a wealth of options. As you produce more designs, you will eventually see that you only need specific types of nibs for your designs.

Replaceable nibs and refillable inks

Let me assure you that both sets offer more or less the same ink qualities. Regardless of the price, most nibs are durable.

If you earn a living from fashion illustration, investing in replaceable nibs and refill is worth the price. After all, these markers are not your average art supplies. Typically, one bottle lets you replenish the ink up to 10 times, which saves you money later on.

If you are a hobbyist who draws once in a while, you may not need that much ink or nib replacements. Of course, that doesn’t mean hobbyists should only get the basic markers. You certainly can buy markers with replaceable nibs and ink refills if you are a heavy user.

Compatibility with other drawing instruments

Artists and designers, including those in the fashion industry, work with a variety of mediums. By treating your designs like a work of art, you will realize that you need more than just pencils, erasers, and markers. Certain techniques could only be done by specific instruments, such as drawing details.

To achieve your desired look, you need other tools like fine-line felt-tip pens, gel pens, metallic pens, or an airbrush. Always check the packaging to see the ink composition of the markers or read reviews like this one. Be sure that the inks dry fast and are compatible with other mediums.

Pricing and practicality

Budget is one of the constraints that many fashion designers have to deal with. Many of us are not ready to spend extravagantly on state-of-the-art tools. Deep inside, we know that it’s our ideas and hard work that make us better designers. The hard truth is that no one cares about which brand we use.

Still, delivering results that impress our clients matter to us. We cannot afford to have problems like fading, smearing, and smudging given that we are already working with tight deadlines. By investing in reliable markers that fit our budget, we can lessen the problems and take advantage of the convenience the product offers.

Conclusion

Let’s face it, neither quick-fix nor secret sauces in succeeding in a fast-paced, deadline-oriented industry such as fashion. As trends come and go, talent and hard work are your best bet but these should be paired with the right tools to propel your career forward.

For this article, I reviewed the best markers for fashion illustration that I have tried myself. Of course, there are other brands out there that you might also want to try, such as Touch markers, Prismacolor, Chartpak markers and many more. My wish for you is to find the one that is right for you.

Robert S. Brown

I am a former art teacher, so it is evident to me the importance of art in educating the new generation. We also want to help parents who plan to teach their children and desire the best tools and tips for them.