Tips for using markers
- Instead of storing markers upright, store them on their sides; nearly every
manufacturer advises this as a way to keep the tips from drying out. I’ve
always stored my pens upright, so this was a revelation to me. - Don’t leave any pens open without their caps on or they will dry out.
- Some markers (Montana Markers, Posca) have a little silver ball inside;
make sure to shake these markers well before you use them. The ball
helps mix the binder with the pigments. Only shake the markers with
the caps on. (I forgot this once and sprayed ink everywhere.) - On pump-valve system markers like the Montana Markers and Poscas,
you need to prime the tips, allowing the ink to permeate the felt tips
before you use them the fi rst time. If not enough paint is coming out,
push down harder, or (on a scrap of extra fabric) press down hard so
that the nib retracts and the paint can fl ow. - The Montana Markers have nibs you can take out and rinse under
water to clean them, if they get dirty or mixed with other colors.
Montana Empty Markers worked well with
Montana and other brands of acrylic inks.
So what’s the take away? Markers
from many manufacturers are an
essential addition to the well-stocked
fi ber artist’s toolbox. I like the
fl exibility of being able to work with
the right tool to get the desired result,
and the ability—especially with the
refi llable Montana Acrylic Markers—
to choose my own inks and nibs.
Take some time to experiment in
your own studio with these products
and discover how pens can expand
your artistic horizons.Want to learn more?
Watch Susan demonstrate using
markers in her work on “Quilting Arts
TV” Series 2400 available at
quiltingartstv.com or your local
PBS station.