Thick paint markers

Thick paint markers by tip width

Widths are the makers’ figures as given in listings. The tip size chart shows every width side by side, and Posca’s full ladder of sizes is on Posca marker sizes.

Jumbo paint markers for posters and murals

The 15 mm class is the widest common paint marker. Posca’s PC-17K is a rectangular extra broad 15 mm tip, sold singly and as an eight color set. Montana makes a 15 mm acrylic marker and lists widths up to 50 mm on its technical sheet, with a matte finish that it says is weatherproof once dry (Montana). Artistro sells a 20 color jumbo set with 15 mm tips for murals and posters, per its listing.

Jumbo markers hold a lot of paint and feed it fast. Prime them on scrap card, not on the poster, and expect the first stroke after priming to be heavy.

Large paint pens with chisel tips

An 8 mm chisel is the most versatile thick tip: the flat edge draws a broad stroke, the corner draws a thin line, and turning the pen mid-stroke gives calligraphic letters. Posca’s PC-8K comes in an 8 mm chisel; for oil-based work, the Uni Paint PX-30 is listed with an 8 mm broad line in black, white, yellow, red, blue, gold and silver. For graffiti-style lettering, see graffiti markers.

Thick paint pens for crates, lumber and metal

Workshops, warehouses and building sites need marks that survive weather and handling. Broad oil-based markers such as the PX-30 are made for that: Uni’s PX-20 listing describes its oil-based paint as withstanding weather, heat and abrasion, and the PX-30 is the broad version. White and yellow show best on lumber and dark steel. Ventilate when using solvent markers indoors. Brand details: Uni Paint markers.

How to get smooth strokes from a wide tip

1. Shake and prime fully

   Shake for longer than you would a fine pen, then press the tip on scrap until the whole width is wet. A half-wet chisel streaks.

2. Keep moving

   Pull strokes at a steady speed. Stopping mid-stroke leaves a pool of paint.

3. Overlap while wet

   For fills, overlap each stroke by a third while the last one is still wet, all in the same direction.

4. Second coat dry

   For solid color on dark grounds, let the first coat dry fully, then go over it crosswise.

5. Clean the tip

   Wipe wide tips often; they pick up color from the layer underneath.

Thick markers on canvas and walls

Wide markers are fast for canvas backgrounds and big shapes; add detail on top with medium and fine pens once dry. Liquitex sells its Professional markers in wide nibs as well as 2 mm, for artists who want artist-grade paint in a thick marker. More on paint markers for canvas and, for drawing on painted walls, paint pens for walls. Molotow’s wide refillable markers are covered on Molotow ONE4ALL.