How does Acrea compare with Copic Multiliner Pens?

Greetings Copic readers! In our previous blog, we discussed how Acrea compares to the other Copic markers: Sketch, Ciao, and Classic. Today, we are going to explore how Acrea compares with Copic Multiliner pens; which will be interesting since they both use water-based pigment. With that being said, let’s take a look below and see how these different pens stack up!

Left to right: Copic Black 0.5 Multiliner pen and Acrea on 24 lb. clear vellum paper, Multiliner and Acrea on clear 184 lb. grey-toned mixed media paper, and Multiliner and Acrea on black 184 lb. mixed media paper (if you squint, you can see very faintly the black ML pen on black paper!)

What makes Acrea different from the Copic Multiliner pens? The main difference is the nibs since both of these pens have water-based ink. The Acrea pen marker has an opaque, colored ink inside with a stiffer, hard plastic nib – capable of withstanding rougher surfaces (although the nib is on the smaller side compared to other paint pens/markers, so we do not recommend using Acrea on a surface more coarse than cold-press watercolor paper).

On the other hand, the Copic Multiliner pens should primarily be used on hot press/smooth paper, like marker paper and other Japanese writing papers. Both pens can be used on colored paper, but the Acrea ink is opaque - so it will sit on the surface of the paper and not soak all the way through, like a Multiliner pen will. Thus, you can use Acrea on black paper and you can’t do the same with a Multiliner pen (regardless of the Multiliner SP only coming in the color black).

Top: Acrea used first - Copic Multiliner nib produces slightly wavy lines since the Acrea ink dries with a little bit of texture.
Bottom: Copic Multiliner used first - Acrea is able to be applied easily on top smoothly.

Left: Copic Multiliner nib. Middle: Copic Multiliner SP nib. Right: Copic Acrea nib.

Now that we know the main differences between these pens, how can we use them? Can we use them together, or do they need to be used separately?

The answer to this is YES; you can use these Acrea and Multiliner pens together, but the order of which you use them matters (much like with the Copic markers, which you can read more about here). This goes back to what we just talked about, with the differences of how the ink will soak into the paper (or not). We recommend doing all of the outlining, hatching, cross-hatching, stippling, etc. with your Multiliners FIRST, then add Acrea on top or for additional details. This is to prevent the Multiliner ink from “activating” and blending with the paint/water-based Acrea ink.

Want to test out the differences between Acrea vs. Multiliners yourself? Print the template shown in the time-lapse here in our line art gallery on a sheet of cardstock (we recommend a thicker paper like Neenah premium cardstock 65 or 110 lb), and follow the simple instructions on the sheet! After trying out the order of coloring, you’ll quickly find out that you can use a LOT of different materials with Acrea; all you need to consider is the order in which you apply the materials to ensure the best creating experience! 

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