Short answer
Shuttle Art markers come in two acrylic styles: automatic ink control brush markers (no pumping, a 1 to 5 mm brush tip) and dual tip markers with a 1 to 5 mm brush and a 1 mm fine tip. In Sarah Renae Clark’s direct-ink comparison, Shuttle Art placed second overall, with great flow and a huge color range; her one complaint was flimsy tips.
What Shuttle Art sells
Shuttle Art is an art and office supply brand whose own shop lists markers, paints, pencils, crayons, clay, canvas, sketch pads and craft sets (Shuttle Art shop). Its acrylic paint markers are sold widely on Amazon. For paint markers the brand sells two styles, and the difference matters more than the color count.
Shuttle Art acrylic marker styles
| Style | How the paint feeds | Tips | Sets we checked |
|---|---|---|---|
| Automatic ink control | Direct ink, no pumping; a gentle shake evens the flow, per the listing | 1 to 5 mm flexible brush | 36 and 60 colors |
| Dual tip brush and fine | Open the cap and use, no shaking or pressing, per the listing | 1 to 5 mm brush plus 1 mm fine | 28 pastel and 60 colors |
Shuttle Art acrylic paint markers: automatic ink control
The automatic ink control markers are the ones that impressed an independent reviewer. The listing describes an ink control design that balances pressure inside and outside the pen, so the paint flows when you uncap it, without pumping the tip. The brush tip covers 1 to 5 mm depending on pressure, and the 36 color set ships in a three-layer clear acrylic box.
In Sarah Renae Clark’s direct-ink comparison, these were second place overall, with the highest scores across the board in all her trials. She praised the huge color range, the flow, and how well they worked over alcohol markers and on most other surfaces. The one reason they did not win was the tips: quite flimsy. Treat the brush tips gently, cap the pens after use, and they are a lot of marker for the money.
A note on direct-ink markers in general: in the same review, direct-ink pens tended to soak into rocks and lose opacity. For rock painting, pump-action markers covered better; see paint pens for rock painting.
Shuttle Art dual tip acrylic markers
The dual tip sets pair a 1 to 5 mm flexible fiber brush with a 1 mm fine tip on each pen. The listings say the tips are wear resistant, the pens need no shaking or pressing before use, and the ink is non-toxic, acid-free and conforms to ASTM D-4236 and EN71-3. The 60 color set mixes 45 regular colors with 15 metallics, including gold, silver, blue, green, pink and purple. The 28 color set is all pastels.
Sarah Renae Clark lists the Shuttle Art dual tip markers in her cotton core round-up but had not written up results for them when we checked, so we cannot point you to test notes for this style.
Shuttle Art markers review: strengths and limits
- Strengths: very wide color ranges, metallics and pastels in the bigger sets, no priming, and strong independent results for the automatic ink control style.
- Limits: soft brush tips that can wear or fray, and direct-ink paint that is less opaque on rock than pump markers. Like most budget sets, colors are not sold singly, so you cannot replace one dried pen.
- Surfaces: the listings name rocks, ceramic and mugs, glass, wood, fabric, metal, plastic, canvas, ornaments and pumpkins. Water-based paint on glass and ceramic is decorative unless sealed or cured per the maker.
How Shuttle Art compares
| Brand | Style | Where it fits |
|---|---|---|
| Shuttle Art | Direct ink brush, or dual tip | Huge range, strong review, soft tips |
| Arrtx | Brush, dual tip and direct ink sets | Similar price band, many set sizes |
| JusArt | Automatic ink control brush | The same no-pump idea |
| Betem | Dual tip, cotton nib | Budget sets for fabric and crafts |
| Posca | Pump action, sold singly | Best coverage, higher price per pen |
Outdoor acrylic paint from Shuttle Art
Shuttle Art also sells a 25 color outdoor acrylic paint set in 2 oz bottles, with 20 classic colors, 3 glow in the dark shades and 2 metallics, plus brushes, a palette and a mini UV light, per the listing. The listing says it is made for rocks, wood, garden statues, gnomes, metal and fabric. That pairs well with a marker set: brush the base coats with outdoor paint, then draw details with the markers and seal. Our acrylic paint for rock painting guide explains outdoor paint.
Which Shuttle Art set to buy
- Coloring, journaling and lettering: the 36 color automatic ink control set.
- Most colors, plus metallics: the 60 color dual tip set.
- Soft palettes for cards and spring designs: the 28 pastel set. More on pastel paint markers.
- Brush lettering: any of them; compare brush pens on brush tip paint markers.
Shuttle Art markers on Amazon
Four marker sets and the outdoor paint, each listing checked by hand.
-
Shuttle Art 36 colors automatic ink control acrylic paint markers
The style that placed second overall in an independent direct-ink comparison. No pumping, 1 to 5 mm brush, clear storage box, per the listing.
- 36 colors
- 1 to 5 mm brush
-
Shuttle Art 60 colors automatic ink control acrylic paint markers
The same automatic ink control style in a bigger 60 color range.
- 60 colors
- Brush tip
-
Shuttle Art 60 colors brush and fine tip acrylic paint markers
Dual tip pens: 1 to 5 mm brush plus 1 mm fine. Includes 15 metallic colors, per the listing.
- 45 colors plus 15 metallics
- Brush and 1 mm fine
-
Shuttle Art 28 pastel brush and fine tip acrylic paint markers
An all-pastel dual tip set for cards, journals and spring rocks.
- 28 pastel colors
- Brush and 1 mm fine
-
Shuttle Art 25 colors outdoor acrylic paint set
Outdoor acrylic in 2 oz bottles with brushes and a palette, per the listing. For base coats under marker work on garden pieces.
- 25 colors, 2 oz each
- Includes 10 brushes
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
Are shuttle art acrylic pens good?
By one detailed independent test, yes. Sarah Renae Clark placed the Shuttle Art automatic ink control acrylic markers second overall among direct-ink markers, with the highest scores across the board in her trials, great flow and a huge color range. The weak point she found was the tips, which are quite flimsy. We have not tested them ourselves.
What markers do artists use?
It depends on the medium. Illustrators often use alcohol markers for smooth blends, letterers use brush pens, and mixed media and rock painters use acrylic paint markers because they are opaque and work on many surfaces. Budget acrylic sets such as Shuttle Art suit practice and crafts; pigment pump markers such as Posca are a common pick for coverage on dark surfaces.
What’s the difference between paint pens and markers?
A paint pen carries opaque paint, water-based acrylic or oil-based, that sits on top of the surface and covers what is underneath. A regular marker carries ink, usually dye, that soaks in and stays translucent. That is why paint pens show up on dark paper, rocks and glass and ordinary markers do not.
Are shuttle markers good?
Shuttle Art sells several marker types. The acrylic automatic ink control markers did very well in Sarah Renae Clark’s direct-ink comparison. The listings for its acrylic sets say they conform to ASTM D-4236 and EN71-3 and are non-toxic and acid-free. For its other markers, look for an independent review of that specific set before buying.
What are some good thin markers for drawing?
For fine lines in paint, an extra fine 0.7 mm paint marker such as Posca PC-1M, or the 1 mm fine end of a dual tip acrylic set like Shuttle Art. For ink drawing on paper, fineliners are thinner still. Use the 1 to 5 mm brush end for fills and the fine end for outlines and details.
Sources
Last reviewed 2026-10-12. Specs and availability change; check the listing before you buy.