Copic Markers: What am I doing wrong??

I bought 10 Copic Markers and brought them home to try them with the cs and inks that I already have, and not surprisingly, the ink ran and it made a mess. So I spent the next week souring the city looking for just the right cs, and just the right ink, and they are still making a blurry mess. I'm starting to think it's operator error, not the products I'm using!

I tried the inks I had (stazon, memories, and versafine) on several different types of cs (the cs everyone recommends isn't available around here). I can't even find the Georgia Pacific cs from Walmart here in Canada. So I've used what I have and bought a few other kinds including one recommended by the guy at my LSS. I tried heat setting and not heat setting the ink. I've used a heavy hand and a light hand. I've coloured up to the line, and stayed away from the line, just letting the ink soak its way up to the line. Sometimes it looks like it's going to work out fine, so I colour a different section, and when I go back to look at the first section, the lines are all blurry and bleeding. I was blaming the ink because I've read that people seem to think Memento works well and I couldn't find that anywhere.

So I found Memento tonight and tried it, and still everything comes out a blurry mess. The only thing I can think of is that I'm not using the cs everyone says is the best (it's in a thread but I can't remember the name of it now).

So is it me? Is it the cs? Is it the ink? I got Tuxedo black memento ink, just like I saw ppl using on YouTube, the only difference is that mine is a dewdrop shape. The ink should be the same right? I'm using very good quality, heavy cs of various brands. How long do you have to let the ink dry before using the markers? Should I try heat setting it? It was late and I was too tired to try anything else, so maybe I'll try that tomorrow.Is there anything else I should know that I might be missing?

I'm too tired to take and post a picture now, but I can tomorrow if it will help.

Please Help!

How frustrating! Paper choice is very important, though. I thought that any heavier CS would work. I even got a pad specifically designed for inks and markers, 120 wt and it still runs on them. I love Gina K paper, but you have to order it online and it's not cheap. The Georgia Pacific is not bad, but I still get some running with that. I just learned how much it will blur by practicing. I use my GP paper on larger images that don't have a ton of detail. For images that I really want to showcase color, I use the Gina K.

I am surprised that your Walmart in Canada doesn't have GP paper, though. That sucks.

There's a great blog called I Like Markers that can give you tons of tips and tricks, too.

If you have a laser printer try printing out a piece of clipart and see how it does. It is something I have heard about but since I don't have copics I don't know first hand.

Here is a link to the "copic paper" thread:

http://www.scrapbook.com/forums/showtopic.php?tid/15296...

I haven't played with Copics yet, but hope to soon.

The best paper I have found for copic makers so far is Strathmore for watercolor projects, you'll find it at the same aisle where you find watercolor pencils.... and the ink I use is Memento but not the drewdrop shape, it is more similar to the versamagic ink but it comes in "white plastic" ...I hope this helps!!!

I was checking out another site and they recommend a paper called Neenah. Not sure about this paper personally.
I got sucked up in the alcohol markers a few years ago they were not Copics or Prismacolors can't remember the name but I ran across the same problem with them bleeding so I steered clear of the Copics.
I gotta say though I have heard lots of folks are are pretty thrilled with them so check out a search and hopefully this paper or other will have some recommendations for you. Hope that helps.

Here's some helpful hints for Copics:
* Paper: Ranger makes some glossy cardstock that I use. Also paper from A muse works well. Any smooth, heavyweight card stock will work. Textured cardstock will not work as it sucks up the ink and the paper will feather.

* Inks, Memento or A muse. If you use Versafine or Staz-On, you have to heat set first.

* Technique: If you color in small circles, and it bleads through the back of the paper, you're doing it right.

Hope this helps.

I second the A muse ink. I haven't tried the glossy cardstock yet..I bought some to use with my alcohol inks so I will give that a whirl. I haven't gotten around to buying any paper to use for my copics. I did try to color on Prima paintables and went out of the lines...grrrrrr...til I got the hang of it.

Sorry, but I have to disagree. Any smooth CS does not necessarily work, even if it's heavy. The stuff I got is specifically for ink and markers; it is smooth and feels like Gina K, but it still feathers. Not as badly as other CS I have tried, but it's about the same as the GP and cost more. Also, with some papers, like the Gina K premium, the paper is so thick that the copic ink doesn't show through or barely shows through. I have heard that Neenah paper is good, though.

For ink, the copic sites say not to use Staz-On. I used to use Versa but found that it still bled even if heat set, so I now use Memento Tuxedo Black in the full ink pad. I've never tried the tear drop ones.

I am by no means a copic expert. I have just learned stuff from a bunch of other people who were much more talented and knowledgeable than me!!! LOL.

For stamping images I use Memento ink...the one in the big, rectangle inkpad. I do let the ink dry overnight. It worked purrfectly for me-didn't run at all. For coloring printed digital stamps I was about to run out a buy a laser printer...but then someone suggested I use a heat tool. That also worked great! After I printed the stamp I used the heat tool for about 5 minutes-still let that dry overnight. No smearing at all. As far as paper...I bought Gina K's Pure Luxery 120 lb cs. Very heavy-doesn't bleed at all. The paper definitely makes a difference. I'll pm you a few sites I found helpful. I have realized that Copics are a big investment-not just for the markers themselves-but all the things you need to get the best results from them as well. Well worth it though...I loveee my Copics!

• DittoBabyGirl Said:

I totally agree! They're a big investment, especially if you are a shopaholic like me. LOL. However, I love mine and I am determined to get them all!

I use Neenah paper and Memento Tuxedo Black, i have also used brown from Tuxedo but not the dewdrops. I bought my Neenah paper on line. It can get very expensive trying so many things. there are some very good videos on youtube for coloring with copics and some great blogs with great color choices to use. Neenah is more expensive than a lot of the papers but I can usually do 8 images on one piece of paper so in the long run it is definitely worth it!

• siameseplease Said:

Seriously addicting!!!!

I bought a couple of Copics to use in my art journal...they bled thru the paper. Luckily, when I told the guy that owns my art supply store he told me to bring them back (he is awesome like that) , Copic wasn't an addiction I wanted anyway. Funny how the copic bled thru, but my sharpies don't. I had just heard that it was one of the few pens that will write over paint, so I felt like I needed a couple. What I didn't need was the problem they caused me.

I used Palette Noir for stamping and heat-set it and it worked fine. Then I got lazy and didn't heat-set and the markers bled - grr! Finally the Memento Tuxedo ink I'd ordered arrived (the bigger rectangle pad) and I've been using it ever since, and I don't heat-set it. For paper I use C.C. Designs Copic Quality White Cardstock from All That Scraps. I've also heard good things about Paper Tray Ink's paper. I don't go right to the line on the image while coloring. I gathered all this information from watching videos on YouTube - just search Copic Markers and you'll turn up lots of videos. Many of them have conflicting advice, but you can still learn a lot.

Lisa

Someone else just told me that this paper is also awesome for use with copics, and it's not as expensive as Gina K.
http://www.beepaper.com/paper/artist-marker-pad.asp

Thanks to all your responses here. I will try some of these ideas next time I get a chance and will let you all know how it goes. It looks like another online order is in my future, since none of these products are available around here. Thanks to those who sent me pms with suggestions of where to shop. I love how helpful everyone is around here! That's why I love SB.com so much!!

I haven't seen these, so I checked out their website. The below might be helpful for you....


Your colors appear best on papers specifically designed for markers. Over the last 20 years, Copic has developed a variety of special marker papers, each suited for your unique demands. Our Sketchbooks come in a variety of sizes and our Marker Pads come in a wide range of weights and textures so you can have the right tools for the job.


Q: My marker bleeds through the paper.

This is normal. Copic markers will bleed through the back of most papers, except glossy or coated marker papers. Avoid soft papers, like newsprint or regular copier paper, since these papers will also bleed out the sides of your line work. Always work over scratch paper.

Bleeding through the back is okay - shows you're getting enough color saturation - it's the bleeding outside the stamped image that's a problem. I'm assuming that's what Tracy meant.

Lisa

Yep, that is what I meant (I know bleeding through the other side is normal, it's the blurry edges on my stamped images that's causing me grief!). I so appreicate everyone's suggestions.

I'm heading to the art store where I bought the markers today to try some Manga paper and ask the folks who work there if they have any other suggestions. Then this weekend I'll place an order for some Gina K paper and give that a whirl too. Hopefully I'll find somethign that works!

Do not use Staz-On ink. It will bleed onto your markers. I've heard great things about Neenah and the GIna K cardstock, but the kind I use is Taylored Expressions Choice Snow White or Buttercream. I also use Memento ink, and I don't have any trouble.

I am so glad I'm not talented enough for Copic markers. If I were, I think my husband would divorce me for taking on the that expensive of a love. He barely tolerates Stampin' Up! prices...

But I love seeing how pretty and detailed things are with Copics! You all are so talented with them.

• Kendraj78 Said:

I still can't believe I spent almost $400 on MARKERS. Thankfully I get a very good holiday bonus where I work which enables me to buy all these toys :-)

• DittoBabyGirl Said:

We all have our guilty little pleasures!

I prefer to think of them as $5 here, $5 there. I prefer *not* to multiply that $5 by the number of markers I own.

Lisa

lol, I'm the same! I only have 12 so far, and won't get more for a few months. I'm starting to want an Expression now, so I've got to lay off the spending!

Good news- I found 2 kinds of cs that work pretty great as far as I can tell!

I got a few sheets of coconut Swirl Bazzil (the untextured kind) and that worked great with very little running. I think the only parts that ran were parts where I got too close to the line, and it was more a problem of the colour running over the line than the ink actually blurring. If I look at the lines of the stamped image, even the parts where I went over the line, the line itself is pretty crisp.

Then I tried a package of cheapy cs from my stash. Paperbilities Basic White. It's from Walmart and I bought it ages ago, then kicked myself when I got home and realised it's 12X11.75 rather than 12X12. I tried this stuff, and it worked fine too! For both cardstock samples I used the Memento cat's eye ink and and heat set one and left one not heat-set. The heat setting didn't seem to make a difference on either paper.

Woohoo for cheap solutions!!!!

Thanks to everyone for all your help! Now I have to go watch me some Youtube videos!

• Chichi Labamba Said:

I agree with the tips posted here. I use any heavy-weight cardstock and Memento ink pads. (Make sure you let the ink dry before taking a Copic to it). And coloring in small circles definitely helps. And practice, practice, practice!

Tracy: I've just started using copics as well. You can get Wausau 110# cardstock at Office Depot. Its the same thing as the Georgia Pacific paper everyone gets in the states. I've also ordered a sample pack of cardstock from Neenah papers directly. They will send you 40 sheets of cardstock (your choice) for the cost of shipping. So actually is works out pretty cheap. I paid about $14CDN ($12.95US) for 40 sheets of 19x23 130# Avalanche white. Its is fabulous. You can also get the magna art paper pads at Michaels in the aisle with all the art paper supplies. They're a little pricey, so I would wait and use a coupon.

Also, just fyi, the momento tear drop ink pads use the same ink as the big square pads so you're good on your ink. Michaels sells these as well in sets. I went to a lss and got a refill for my little tear drop.