Short answer
Posca markers are pump-action pens filled with water-based pigment paint. Posca says the paint is permanent on porous surfaces such as paper, wood and stone, and wipes off smooth ones such as glass unless you varnish it. Start with a PC-5M (1.8 to 2.5 mm) for most work and add a PC-1M (0.7 mm) for detail.
What is Posca?
Posca is a paint marker brand from Uni Mitsubishi Pencil, the Tokyo pen maker founded in 1886. Posca’s history page says the marker debuted in 1983 with four tips and 22 colors, that graffiti artists made it popular in the early 1980s, and that the ink formula has not changed since. Today the range covers studio art, customizing, rock painting, signage and kids’ crafts.
So what are Posca pens, in practice? Each one is a barrel of liquid paint with a mixing ball inside and a valve behind the tip. You shake it, press the tip down a few times on scrap to let paint flow, and then draw. That pump design is why Posca covers so well: the tip carries real paint, not dye ink.
Are Posca markers acrylic?
This is the most common question, and the honest answer is: it depends who is describing them. Posca itself calls the product a water-based paint marker with stable pigments (Posca FAQ). Many retailers, including Amazon listings, call them acrylic markers. For buying decisions, what matters is how they behave, and Posca water based paint markers behave like a water-based acrylic paint pen: opaque, layerable once dry, odor-light, and cleaned up with water while wet.
They are different from oil-based paint markers such as Sharpie oil-based or Uni PX-20, which are solvent-based and tougher on slick surfaces. Our acrylic vs oil-based paint marker guide covers when to switch.
Every Posca paint marker tip
Posca tip sizes. Widths are from the verified Amazon listings; tip shapes from Posca’s range page.
| Model | Tip | Line width | Good for |
|---|---|---|---|
| PC-1MR | Calibrated pin tip | Extra fine | Fine lines, small lettering |
| PC-1M | Extra fine bullet | 0.7 mm | Outlines, dots, details on rocks |
| PC-3M | Fine bullet, reversible | 0.9 to 1.3 mm | Outlines and smaller fills |
| PC-5M | Medium bullet, reversible | 1.8 to 2.5 mm | The all-rounder: fills, lettering, shapes |
| PC-5BR | Semi-flexible brush | Fine to thick | Brush lettering, loose strokes |
| PC-7M | Broad bullet | 4.5 to 5.5 mm | Bold lines, larger areas |
| PC-8K | Broad chisel | 8 mm | Block letters, covering large areas |
| PC-17K | Rectangular extra broad | 15 mm | Backgrounds, murals, signage |
Shapes come from Posca’s range page, and widths from the listing titles we checked. Posca also sells a soft brush pen (PCF-350) and an extra-large mop-style marker (PCM-22). See all widths side by side in our acrylic marker tip size chart.
Posca marker pens to start with
Verified listings, sorted by how often you will reach for them. Want bigger bundles? See our guide to Posca marker sets.
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Posca PC-5M set of 15
The medium all-rounder in 15 colors. If you buy one Posca set, most people should buy this one.
- 1.8 to 2.5 mm reversible tip
- Listing names fabric, metal, windows, wood and canvas
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Posca PC-1M extra fine, 8 pack
Pairs with the PC-5M for outlines, dots and lettering on rocks and small pieces.
- 0.7 mm extra fine tip
- 8 assorted colors
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Posca PC-3M fine, 8 pack
The in-between size. Good if 0.7 mm feels scratchy and 2.5 mm feels too bold.
- 0.9 to 1.3 mm tip
- Reversible tip
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Posca PC-5BR brush tip, 16 count
The opaque brush option, for lettering and expressive strokes with full coverage.
- Semi-flexible brush tip
- 16 colors
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Posca PC-7M broad, black
A single broad pen for bold outlines, block shading and bigger surfaces.
- 4.5 to 5.5 mm bullet tip
-
Posca PC-5M white, 3 count
White runs out first for most painters: highlights, base layers and text on dark grounds.
- 1.8 to 2.5 mm reversible tip
- 3 white pens
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.
Where Posca paint works, and where it wipes off
Posca markers write on almost anything, but they do not stick equally to everything. Posca’s FAQ draws the line between porous and smooth surfaces:
- Porous, permanent once dry: paper, card, raw wood, stone, terracotta, canvas. These are where Posca shines. On rocks, an independent reviewer found its fine tips less scratchy and splattery than rivals (pump-action review); see paint pens for rock painting.
- Smooth, erasable: glass, glazed ceramic, metal, plastic. A damp rag lifts the paint. That makes Posca handy for window art you want to remove later, and a poor choice for mugs unless you seal them and keep them out of the dishwasher.
- Fabric: Posca says it suits fabric customizing and recommends ironing inside out with no steam. Our paint pens on fabric guide has the full method.
To make work permanent on smooth or handled surfaces, Posca recommends a water-based spray varnish for most materials. Our sealing guide walks through coats and drying.
Posca marker tips that save pens
- Prime on scrap, never on the piece. Shake with the cap on until the ball rattles, then press the tip on paper until it is just wet. Over-pumping floods the nib and leaves blobs.
- Flip worn tips. The PC-3M and PC-5M tips are reversible, which Posca says doubles their life.
- Let layers dry. Posca layers well, but a wet layer over a damp one can lift. Wait until the first coat is dry to the touch.
- Store caps tight. A dry tip usually comes back with a few pumps; see paint pen not working if it does not.
Looking for things to make? See Posca artwork ideas and acrylic marker drawing ideas.
Posca vs other markers
| If you want | Pick | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Refillable pens | Molotow ONE4ALL | Refill bottles and empty markers; costs more per pen |
| A cheaper big color set | Artistro | Budget sets with uneven results; the white extra fine stands out |
| Waterproof marks on metal or glass | Sharpie oil-based | Solvent paint grips slick surfaces Posca wipes off |
| No pumping at all | Enmy Ink Control | Direct ink; great on paper, weaker on rock |
The full head-to-head is in Posca vs Molotow, and our best acrylic markers guide ranks Posca against the wider field.
Questions people ask
Where can I get Posca pens cheap?
The lowest cost per pen usually comes from bigger packs of one tip size, such as an 8, 15 or 16 count PC-5M set, rather than single pens. Amazon, art supply chains and craft stores all sell Posca, and prices move often, so compare the price per pen across a few sellers before you buy. We do not list prices because they change daily.
Do Posca pens rub off?
It depends on the surface. Posca says its paint is permanent on porous surfaces like paper, cardboard, wood and stone, and erasable on smooth surfaces like glass, where a damp rag cleans it off. To make work on smooth or handled surfaces last, Posca recommends a water-based spray varnish.
Why are POSCA markers so expensive?
Posca has not published a cost breakdown. Likely factors are the pigment paint, the valve and mixing ball, reversible tips on the PC-3M and PC-5M, and a long track record: Posca says the ink formula has been unchanged since 1983. An independent comparison rated Posca the best pump-action marker overall, which keeps demand high.
Is POSCA ok on skin?
No. Posca’s own FAQ says the markers are art tools, not certified for cosmetic use, and must not be used on skin. Use body paint or face paint made for skin instead.
What is the difference between the POSCA medium and fine pens?
Line width. The medium PC-5M draws about 1.8 to 2.5 mm and suits fills, shapes and lettering. The fine PC-3M draws about 0.9 to 1.3 mm and suits outlines and smaller details. Both use the same paint and both have reversible bullet tips.
Sources
Last reviewed 2026-10-12. Specs and availability change; check the listing before you buy.