Short answer
The Pentel Paint Marker MMP20 has a 4.0 mm bullet tip that writes a 2.0 mm medium line, with opaque, fast-drying, oil-based pigment ink that Pentel says resists water, abrasion and fading. Pentel lists it for glass, plastic, pottery, metal, stone, thick paper, ceramic, rubber and wood, in 15 colors, and says it is not suitable for soft PVC or expanded polystyrene.
Pentel MMP20 at a glance
Pentel Paint Marker MMP20, per Pentel’s US catalog and UK product page
| Spec | What Pentel says |
|---|---|
| Tip | 4.0 mm bullet tip writing a 2.0 mm medium line |
| Ink | Opaque pigment ink, fast drying and oil-based (US catalog); permanent, opaque, pigment-based (UK page) |
| Resistance | Water resistant; resists abrasion and fading (US catalog) |
| Surfaces | Glass, plastic, pottery, metal, stone, thick paper, ceramic, rubber, wood |
| Not suitable for | Soft PVC and expanded polystyrene |
| Colors | 15, including black, white, gold and silver |
| Standard | Conforms to ASTM D 4236 |
| Made in | Japan |
Sources: Pentel’s US product guide and Pentel UK. The UK page names the colors as black, red, blue, green, brown, orange, yellow, light green, grey, pink, sky blue, violet, white, gold and silver, and mentions industrial uses and crafts such as rock painting.
Where the Pentel paint marker works best
- Marking and labeling: metal parts, plastic bins, glass jars, rubber and tools, where oil-based pigment ink grips slick surfaces.
- Dark surfaces: opaque white, gold and silver show on black plastic, tires and dark wood.
- Crafts on hard surfaces: pottery, stone and wood decor.
- Thick paper and card: Pentel lists it, though water-based markers are usually kinder to paper.
Use it in a ventilated space, as with any solvent marker, and keep it off soft vinyl and foam, which Pentel says it is not suitable for.
Pentel vs Sharpie oil-based vs Posca
| Marker | Paint | Choose it for |
|---|---|---|
| Pentel Paint Marker MMP20 | Oil-based pigment | A single medium tip in 15 colors for marking and crafts on slick surfaces |
| Sharpie oil-based paint marker | Oil-based paint | More tip sizes, wide store availability |
| Uni Paint PX-20 and PX-30 | Oil-based paint | Glossy color, medium and broad tips |
| Posca | Water-based pigment | Art on paper, wood, stone and fabric; erasable on glass unless varnished |
The full category is on oil-based paint markers, with surface-specific picks on paint markers for metal and permanent paint markers.
How to use a Pentel paint marker
- Shake
Shake with the cap on so the paint mixes; pigment settles in storage.
- Start the flow
On scrap, press the tip down gently a few times until paint reaches the tip. Do not press so hard it floods.
- Clean the surface
Wipe off dust, grease and fingerprints so the paint can grip, especially on metal and glass.
- Write with light pressure
Let the paint flow; press again on scrap if the line starts to fade.
- Let it dry, cap it
The ink is fast drying, but give it time before handling. Cap the marker tightly after use.
Pentel white permanent marker vs the paint marker
Pentel also sells a white permanent marker (the 100W series) in fine and broad points. It is a separate line from the MMP20 paint marker, so check which one a listing is for. If you need opaque white on a dark, slick surface, the paint marker family is the one to compare against other white paint markers.
Pentel markers on Amazon
The Pentel paint marker packs we verified, plus Pentel’s white permanent marker, each listing checked by hand.
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Pentel Paint Markers, medium bullet point, assorted 9 pack (MMP20)
Nine colors of the MMP20 medium bullet paint marker in one pack.
- Medium bullet
- 9 colors
-
Pentel MMP20 paint markers, black, grey and white, 3 pack
The neutrals most people need for marking and outlines on dark and light surfaces.
- Medium bullet
- Black, grey, white
-
Pentel MMP20 paint markers, gold, silver and white, 3 pack
Metallics and white for dark plastic, glass and craft work.
- Medium bullet
- Gold, silver, white
-
Pentel permanent marker, white, fine point (100W-S)
Pentel’s separate white permanent marker line, in a fine point, for comparison.
- Fine point
- White
Each pick links to an Amazon listing we checked by hand. Prices, colors and pack sizes change on Amazon, so check the listing before you buy. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
Questions people ask
Can I clear coat over Sharpie marker?
Yes, but spray the first coat. A brushed clear coat can drag and smear marker ink, especially the dye ink in a classic Sharpie. Let the marker dry fully, mist one or two light coats of clear spray, let them dry, then brush or spray heavier coats if you need them. Test on scrap first, since some solvent sprays can make dye ink bleed.
Is a pen considered a marker?
Not usually. A pen typically has a ballpoint, gel or fineliner tip and writes thin lines with ink, while a marker has a wider felt or fiber tip and lays down broader color. Paint pens blur the line: they are markers filled with paint, and the names paint pen and paint marker are used interchangeably.
Is the Pentel paint marker permanent?
Pentel’s UK site describes the MMP20 ink as permanent, opaque and pigment-based, and its US catalog says the fast-drying, oil-based ink resists abrasion and fading. On slick surfaces that get handled a lot, a clear coat adds protection.
Sources
Last reviewed 2026-10-14. Specs and availability change; check the listing before you buy.
