How does Acrea compare with Copic Markers?

Hello Copic readers! In our previous blog, we introduced the NEW Copic product; the Acrea paint marker, and gave an overview of the product design and capabilities. Today, we are going to discuss how Acrea compares with Sketch, Ciao, and Classic/the alcohol-based markers. With that being said, let’s take a look below and see how these materials stack up!

Left to right: Copic Ciao and Acrea on 50.5 lb marker paper, Copic Sketch and Acrea on clear 24 lb. vellum paper, and Copic Sketch and Acrea on grey-toned 184 lb. mixed media paper.

What makes Acrea different from the regular Copic markers and pens? The main difference is that Acrea is a water-based paint pen, and Sketch, Ciao, and Classic are alcohol-based markers. This means that their blending capabilities are going to be different, as well as the variety of surfaces they can work on.

For example, you can use Acrea on glass, canvas, colored paper, ceramics, terra cotta, marker paper (the smoother the paper, the better the results), and more. There really isn’t a shortage of surfaces you can try out with Copic Acrea. When it comes to Sketch, Ciao, and Classic, however, you are more limited on the type of surface you can use. This is because of the dye-based alcohol pigment in those markers. They need an absorbent paper to soak in the color since the ink does not sit on the surface of a substrate. This is the main feature that sets Acrea and the other Copic markers apart.

Top: Acrea used first - Copic Ciao nib gets damaged and picks up the acrylic/paint-based ink.
Bottom: Copic Ciao used first - Acrea is able to be applied easily on top without “activating” Ciao alcohol-based ink.

Left: Acrea ink residue left on the nib of the Ciao marker after coloring with Ciao on top of Acrea.
Right: The Acrea pen nib - a stiff, non-absorbent nib - the opposite of Copic Ciao, Sketch, and Classic nibs; hence, there is no damage or staining to this nib.

Now that we know the main differences between these markers, 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 different Copic pens/markers together, but the order of which you use them matters. This goes back to what we just talked about, with the difference of the ink-type inside the instrument. We recommend doing all of the coloring with your Sketch, Ciao, or Classic FIRST, then, after all of the blending and desired coloring is done, add Acrea on top. This is to prevent the alcohol-based nib from being damaged by the more opaque acrylic/water-based Acrea ink.

Want to test out the differences between Acrea vs. Copic markers yourself? Print the template ahead of time 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 on top of Copic Sketch, Ciao, or Classic markers…these markers work as a great base-layer for mixed media art!

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