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I'm trying to decide if I should buy a set of SU markers. I had seen a video tutorial last week where someone colored a stamped image with these markers but cannot find it again.:( Although I did find videos on youtube where people used them on watercolor paper with an aquapen. But what about for just straight up coloring. Do you like these? I already have copic markers. Is it not worth it to have both? I know you can also color stamps with these but do you get a nice image that way? What do you all think?
I love my markers. The best thing is having the colors match my papers without having to work at it! I've successfully used them to stamp by inking the stamp with the marker...the main thing to remember is to "huff" onto the stamp once you've inked it to add some moisture back into the ink. It is nice to be able to stamp in more than one color this way...or to be able to stamp in a color that you don't have an ink pad in. As for coloring with them, as with any tool there is a learning curve and some papers are better than others for coloring with them. I've also used my aqua pen to water color with them by scribbling onto a piece of plastic then using my aqua pen to pick up the color. I like to use them to write in the cards when I send them too! Hope this helps! Gail
I have had my markers (most of them) for 7 years and they are still juicy. I highly recommend them. I have some copics and they are nice, but pricey. I prefer my SU markers for overall quality and value.
I use a combination of markers but I still have all my case of SU markers from when I was a demo. Haven't purchased any in a few years, but there was a definite difference in quality from the very first ones I purchased to the last ones. The last ones tended to fray and get fuzzy tips way faster than the very first ones I got and have had for years. There seemed to be a change in quality (not for the better) over the years. Don't know how the new marker tips hold up now. Don't know if it was a hit or miss issue because not all that I got towards the end got fuzzy even with lots of hard use while others got fuzzy with careful use.
Even though I have copic markers also, I primarily use my SU markers. As to the fuzzy tips, yes I have had to replace a few over the years. But I find that I only have issues if I use them alot to color directly onto my stamps.( I haven't noticed any difference between the ones I have had for years or the newer ones, and I use then in my classes quite a bit, so maybe I have been very lucky.). They are very versatile and I love that whole coordination thing!
I LOVE my SU markers. Mine are nearly 7 years old, and I've only replaced them if a tip was smooshed by one of my kids. I love that I can color directly on my stamps, huff on them and stamp onto my cardstock.
I really like the SU markers so much better than the Marvy markers I had before. I use them mostly to color directly on my stamps; I don't use them or Copics to color my stamped images, preferring to use colored pencils.
I don't think it is worth it for the SU markers. I bought them just recently and they are still sitting there staring at me. Save your money for something else.
Splitcoast Dirty Dozen Alumni Creative Crew SU Design Team Alumni
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I love my markers, not only can you go direct to stamp with them but you can use them to watercolor with an aquapainter on watercolor paper. There are more techniques on the resources forum here like thumping, totally cool!
Ilina crouse has a good watercoloring tutorial on her blog:
I have had my S.U. markers for 10+ years. I love them. However, I have purchased singles when the in colors come out and the newer ones do not hold up as well :( The tips on the fat end fray out.
I have had my S.U. markers for 10+ years. I love them. However, I have purchased singles when the in colors come out and the newer ones do not hold up as well :( The tips on the fat end fray out.
I have the exact same experience with the newer markers. I don't buy them anymore even though I love SU colors.
I had my SU markers first, I'm glad I have them just in case I want to use them. But, since I've gotten my Copics I hardly ever use the SU markers anymore. I love, love, love my Copics!
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I have had no problems with mine. I like that I can color direct on the stamp and match my papers and ink. For me, I will keep buying them along with the Copics ones.
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I have the entire set. I love having every color available. When I don't use a color a lot and have not bought the ink pad (or more ink pads were not in the budget) I still have that color available by coloring on to the stamp.
I also like being able to color on the stamp and have different colors in different areas of the stamp. And another vote for how the markers coordinate with SU paper.
I don't think they are the greatest for coloring! I use watercolor pencils and will eventually invest in copics or Shin Twain markers.
__________________ All I want is the chance to prove money won't make me happy!
Last edited by Allistamps123; 05-07-2011 at 03:44 AM..
I bought the whole set when I was a demonstrator and used them a lot personally and in classes I taught. Poor things are collecting dust since I started using Copics. Copics work so beautifully, they improved my skills dramatically. Sorry, I'd save my pennies for Copics and forgo the SU markers.
Honestly, I can not think of one technique I can do with my water based marker that I can not do with my Copics. (Yes, you can color directly on your stamps with Copics- mist lightly with the Colorless Blender Solution instead of water.) But there are so many more techniques I can do with my Copics that I can not do with my water based markers. (Tie dying, layering colors, shading, adding texture with fabric....)
__________________ Lisa -
Married my sweetheart 1-26-02 Mommy to Hunter 9-3-04 & Hailey 7-26-06
I love the SU markers but they don't compare to my Copics. I gave my set to my DIL when I got the Copics but now I realize that I need them for inking up my flower stamps when I want the flowers and the leaves a different color. I've bought replacements for a few basic colors on Ebay so I have what I need to ink up my stamps again.:rolleyes:
__________________ Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved. Acts 4:12
I use my markers all the time for coloring ........I've been using them from the beginning of my stamping adventure.......which is 14 years....and I just love them....
I do have some copics but prefer SU markers........probably because I use them all the time.............
Thanks for all the input. I didn't know what thumping was or that I could use copics on my stamps. I'll have to play around with these techniques and check out some blogs for tutorials.
It's true that the older tips were better but it's the same with all my older markers (Marvy, Tombow, etc.) all the tips seem to fray faster. I bought replacement tips for my SU markers and they are great. See:
I really like SU markers. I use them to color on the stamp and then stamp the sentiment or image . It saves a lot of space and money for colors you will not use a lot.
I bought mine individually so I could buy just the colors I will use.
You can also do two or more colors on the stamp with the markers. I colored the acorn from Lovely as a Tree in Chocolate Chip and Old Olive then stamped it. It looked great
Did you know you can buy SU refill inks ( for ink pads) and refill your markers?
You can also buy replacement nibs at Tips 4 Markers
__________________ "I have not failed . I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work" --Thomas A. Edison
I went back and fourth when I decided to purchase a set. I do have Copics but not a full set. I was like "Do I need these markers?" Plus, I have the equivalent TomBow markers too.
I bought them and I am so glad I did. Almost had a panic attack hitting the submit button though, lol. I honestly did. Once I got them in I could see how these markers would save me a lot of money in the future.
Direct to stamp is amazing. It looks like a watercolor painting. Coloring directly to paper is not my style since I love color pencils or painting more. I do use them in my art journaling.
I also like to scribble on old plastic lids and make my own water color palettes.
Are they a need? No, they are a luxury. You have to really love your techniques you would use them for. If your going to work more in Copics and love Alcohol base markers then I would go for the Copics. If you enjoy the watercolor look and inking direct to stamp then yes they are worth it.
I do want to add then when I bought my markers I also bought refills so I would have my markers a long time. I would never bought these markers if I could not refill them. I have a couple of Tombow's dried out now and I can't find replacements. SU markers being refillable was a huge selling point for me.
I like stampin up markers I love that they have all the colors but I dont like how they fray and copics are just to expensive for me I have tombow and I like them but for everyday use I use cheap markers I get at walmart for 5 dallors and they do just fine for what little I do
I have not used my SU markers for 5 or 6 years. I never really liked the way they streak when you color on paper. If you don't want to invest in Copics (which are the best IMO) then check out Memento markers. They are much less expensive than SU markers and I like them better. You can buy them in color sets at the Hero Arts website.
As far as all the techniques mentioned in the above posts... you can do all of those with any marker. The only difference is what you use to blend them dependent on the marker (ie water, alcohol, or Copic Blending solution, or huffing).
Last edited by Cinnistew; 05-10-2011 at 04:26 PM..
I have had my SU markers for over 7 years and that was all I used back then. They are great to use with an aqua brush but now that I have had Copics for over two years I have not touched my SU markers much.
My grandkids have used them and most of the tips are in sad shape, but that is OK as they will still work with an aqua pen. If you don't watercolor then don't buy the whole set as once. Try one of the family groups and see what you think.
I have so much money invested in my Copics and I love them. They are my preferred way to color but I recently bought one family of SU markers and I am going to buy all of them. I like the idea they match with everything else I have. Now I will still use my Copics most of the time. Also this saves me from buying all those inks in the in colors. I have hoarded a lot of papers from retired in colors so of course I have the ink and reinkers. They color nice. Have fun with whatever you do!
I have had my S.U. markers for 10+ years. I love them. However, I have purchased singles when the in colors come out and the newer ones do not hold up as well :( The tips on the fat end fray out.
Same here. I've purchased replacement markers and they are not as good of quality IMO. I won't buy anymore of the current style.
I have some copics and have enjoyed learning to color with them and love the "no streaking" thing but I will always love my SU markers. I love watercoloring with them with the blender pens or aqua pens and I love that they match my SU papers and cardstocks. I also love the direct coloring to stamp thing.
What do you think of SU markers?
