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There are 3 types of Copic markers*: Ciao, Sketch and Classic. All our markers are made in Japan and evaluated against the highest quality standards, they are all refillable with Copic Ink and feature replaceable premium quality nibs. What differs is the overall design, colors available, the type of nib used and the amount of ink in the markers. Copic Sketch and Classic are compatible with the Copic Air Brush System. Feel free to choose the type most suitable to your creative needs. Copic Sketch: our global bestseller with an oval ergonomic design and color coded caps, comes with the flexible super brush nib and a medium broad nib. Available in 358 colors and is the preferred choice among many creative professionals in design, illustration and Manga. Copic Ciao: an introductory marker with a more accessible price point. It has a simpler design and a lower quantity of ink. Features the same nibs as Sketch and is available in 180 colors. Copic Classic: the original model created in 1987 with an iconic square design and color coded caps, features a broad nib and a fine nib. Available in 214 colors and used mainly in architecture, design and graphic illustrations. *Copic Wide is only available as an empty marker which you can fill with your choice of Copic Ink.

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Yes, you can bring Copic markers on a plane either in your hand luggage or in a checked in suitcase. However, Copic Ink and Various Ink* are classified as dangerous items under the Fire Service Act and therefore cannot be brought on a plane. When it come to the Airbrush Set air cans, they cannot be carried as hand luggage, but up to 2 kg per person (about 30 cans for D60N) can be checked in. Please contact the airline or shipping company you are planning to use for more details regarding this matter. *Various Ink is now discontinued and only available while stocks last.

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Postal services differ depending on the company and therefore we advise you to consult this matter directly with the shipping company you plan to use. Also, please note that we do not issue Safety Data Sheets (SDS) to individual customers or corporations with which we make no dealings.

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The fine nibs available for replacement are exclusive for Copic Classic. The size of the nib orifice in Ciao is slightly different from the one in Classic, and therefore you would not be able to use it with Copic Ciao markers.

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Please store your Copic markers in a cool place which is not exposed to direct sunlight. Direct exposure to sunlight or strong UV rays may cause the body of the marker to crack and the color of the ink to fade. To prevent the ink from accumulating on one side, we recommend storing Copic markers and Multiliners horizontally (however, even if the ink accumulates on one side, you would be able to use the marker/Multiliner again after putting it on the other side and waiting for a while). Also, since our ink is flammable, please store Copic Ink (Various Ink) in a place out of reach of fire.

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Generally speaking, if you store the Copic markers correctly and refill them properly, you will be able to use them for a very long time. All Copic markers also feature replaceable nibs and can be renewed, so feel free to replace them as needed when you feel the drawing comfort changed. That being said, since Copic markers are made of plastic, they will deteriorate over time. Because of that we ask you not to store them in direct sunlight (or fluorescent light) and high temperature and humidity.

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With a B4 sized page and a broad nib as reference you would be able to cover around 5 pages with Copic Classic, 3.7 pages with Copic Sketch, 2.7 pages with Copic Ciao and 9 pages with Copic Wide. Please note that it can vary depending of absorption properties of each type of paper so please use these references as directional only.

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On Copic Classic the gray line marks the side of the fine nib, while for Sketch and Ciao it marks the side of the brush nib. This way it is easier to tell which nib is on which side without removing the caps.

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Copic markers are available in leading art supply stores and stationery shops around the world. For dealers in the US and China, please contact our branch offices listed here (https://copic.jp/en/contact/). For dealers in other countries, please email us at contact@toomarker.co.jp.

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Copic markers are now available in over 70 countries, below you can find a list of our main distributors, please contact the one in your market directly for store locations.

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We recommend starting with some lighter shades since Copic colors are versatile, by applying the color in layers, the ink will intensify and become darker. We suggest that you choose around 10 colors based on what you plan to draw. If you can’t purchase individual Copic markers in your market then please refer to the page on this website where we introduce our readily curated sets in many formats.

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Since the caps are made with pigments and resins and the Copic inks are dye based the difference in materials prevents us from creating a perfect match. We therefore advise that you treat the caps as a rough guide. To view swatches that are closer to the actual colors we recommend that you refer to our Copic color management app called ‘Copic Collection’ that is available for download on the App store and on Google Play.  Click here to learn more.

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100 (Black) is a dark black with a slightly bluish tint that goes well with cool grays whereas 110 (Special Black) is a clean black that works well with neutral tones. It is also worth noting that the amount of dye in 100 (Black) is slightly higher. The difference is small however so please use these shades according to your preference.

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Because of their diverse applications in design, we offer 4 types of gray color families. C stands for 'Cool Gray' and contains slightly bluish and cold tints whereas W stands for 'Warm Gray' and contains rather reddish and warm tints. N means 'Neutral', grays in this range could be considered your standard grays. Then we carry T which stands for 'Toner Gray', this color family contains grays similar to the toners in copy machines. The name is derived from the initial purpose of Copic markers which was to put colors on copies made with copy machines. The differences between each shade of gray becomes clearer after you put the shades next to each other. Please use them according to your preference and style.

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Since the ink we use is a dye ink, it is not possible for us to produce a gold, silver, or copper color that can be compared to the metallic colors made with pigment inks. However, we carry shades that can help you achieve a metallic impression, Y28 (Lionet Gold) is often used as gold, for silver /cold metallics we recommend using Cool Gray series and E18 or other shades from the E series for copper. When it comes to bronze, we recommend using BG78 (Bronze) and BG7 series.

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In 1991, we unified export specifications and color numbers. We also changed the color name of E04, E11, E15, E27. Please refer to the list below for the current numbers: the 100s, the 200s, the 300s, the 400s, the 500s, the 600s, the 700s, the 800s...

the 100s
191=E40
the 200s
202=E15	204=YR14	207=YR24	208=E44	222=E13	237=E37	239=E07	242=E25
262=E27	271=E19	276=E49	279=E29	280=E09	282=YR23	287=E33	291=E31
the 300s
302=E04	304=R32	308=RV04	310=R27	312=R29	322=R17	325=R37	345=RV17
347=RV29	348=RV09	361=R35	362=RV14	367=RV06	393=RV11
the 400s
401=BG99	405=B23	407=B32	410=B39	411=B14	412=B29	421=B01	427=B34
439=B06	441=B00	447=B05	448=B37	451=BG05	455=B26	483=B02	485=BG02
486=B04
the 500s
502=BV00	513=BV08	515=V09	545=RV19	560=V04	567=V06
the 600s
600=G17	606=YG03	608=G21	612=BG10	617=YG95	618=Y26	627=BG15	628=YG91
636=G16	637=YG13	638=YG99	646=G29	648=G28	667=G99	668=YG97	676=YG17
677=G07	678=BG18	679=BG09	681=YG23	684=G02	686=BG13
the 700s
704=Y15	706=Y00	707=Y11	708=Y21	712=E34	713=Y02	715=Y13	716=Y06
774=Y17	795=YG01
the 800s
801=R08	802=YR07	803=YR04	807=YR18	808=YR00	809=YR09	812=R20	822=E11
864=R02

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Copic has its own color system based on which we assign the names of the markers. The letters represent a rough hue (dominant color family, e.g. R stands for 'red', B for 'blue' and 'E' for earth colors). The first digit expresses the saturation of the color - the closer the digit is to 0, the more transparent it is. On the other hand, digits closer to 9 mean that the color is rather dull or muddy. The final digits represent brightness with 0000 being the brightest and 9 being the darkest.

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Different components unfortunately prevent us from creating an identical match, the caps are made with pigments and resins and Copic inks are dye inks. For this reason, we recommend you to use the caps as a rough guide only. Please check the color chart available on this website or download our Copic management app called 'Copic Collection' for swatches that are closer to the actual colors.

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We constantly strive to bring the colors of the caps closer to the colors of the actual inks. This is why some caps may differ from each other overtime. There is no change in the quality of the product itself however and the ink remains identical from batch to batch.

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In September 2015 we changed names of the following 8 colors, so that they would better describe and convey the specific color. Please be assured that the colors of the inks did not change. The intention of the color names is to give a descriptive reference and idea of the specific shade and for many it is also easier to remember than the code. However these are reference names only and should not be viewed as an identical match to the descriptive wording.

Color numbers	Current color name	Old color name	●:ciao ■:classic
V05	Azalea	Marigold	●
R02	Rose Salmon	Flesh	●■
YR61	Spring Orange	Yellowish Skin Pink	●
YG41	Pale Cobalt Green	Pale Green	●■
E00	Cotton Pearl	Skin White	●■
E04	Lipstick Rose	Lipstick Natural	●■
E13	Desert Sand	Light Suntan	■
E15	Earthenware	Dark Suntan	●■
E21	Soft Sun	Baby Skin Pink	●■
E27	Milk Chocolate	Africano	■
E34	Toast	Orientale	■
E95	Tea Orange	Flesh Pink	●
FV（FV2)	Fluorescent Violet	Fluorescent Dull Violet
FRV（FRV1）	Fluorescent Pink
FYR（FYR1）	Fluorescent Orange
FY（FY1）	Fluorescent Yellow	Fluorescent Yellow Orange
FYG（FYG1）	Fluorescent Yellow Green	Fluorescent Yellow
FG（FYG2）	Fluorescent Green	Fluorescent Dull Yellow Green
FBG（FBG2）	Fluorescent Blue Green	Fluorescent Dull Blue Green
FB（FB2）	Fluorescent Blue	Fluorescent Dull Blue

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Various types of paper can be used such as regular copy paper, manga manuscript paper, construction paper, drawing paper or watercolor paper. The finish and comfort of drawing may differ depending on which one you use though so we recommend you first try out a few varieties. If you are new to illustration, we recommend the Premium Bond Paper and Custom Paper from Copic Paper Selections, they both prevent ink from spreading too much.

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We do not recommend reinserting used nibs. This is because once you remove a nib, the ink dye inside will harden after a certain period of time. If you put the nib back on you will not get a good drawing experience. Always use a new nib as replacement.

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Copic Wide features the widest Copic nib available (21mm). It allows you to quickly cover large areas and it is mainly used in design rendering and for drawing perspective backgrounds. Only empty Copic Wide markes are available, so please fill it with the Copic Ink color of your choice.

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Copic markers: Please remember the markers are made to last and by refilling with Copic Ink and replacing worn nibs you can keep them for many years. If you want to dispose a worn or damaged marker then make sure to treat it as non-burnable waste. Copic Ink refills (Various Ink): firstly clean out any remaining ink by wiping it on a paper towel in a well-ventilated room and out of reach of fire. You can then dispose of the cap and vessel as recyclable materials (please double check guidelines in your market) Copic Airbrush Set (ABS): Make sure you have used up its contents and then dispose of it in the same way you would treat a general spray can according to the disposal guidance of your local government.

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Since our ink is a dye ink, it soaks into the paper you use, hence the ink will always bleed through the paper to some extent. We therefore recommend you place a scrap paper underneath to protect the surface you work on. To avoid excess bleeding we also recommend that you don't put much pressure on the markers when drawing. The level of bleeding also depends on the type of paper you use. In the Copic Paper Selections range you can find Premium Bond Paper and Custom Paper - those 2 types are basically bleed-proof. The Thick Marker Paper and Soft Watercolor Paper (Gasen-shi) bleed through very easily though, but it is easier to create gradations and blend colors on these surfaces. We recommend trying out various types of paper to find the one most suitable for you.

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You might have used a pen that is not alcohol-resistant. Next time please use Copic Multiliner pens which are made specially for Copic markers. They are filled with pigment ink and are alcohol-resistant.

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Since our caps are made of plastic, they will crack or deform when exposed to strong external pressure, making the cap feel loose. If it loosens up, the nib can become dry even when the cap is closed. In that case, even if you try refilling the marker, the ink would not be absorbed. If that happens, we recommend to replace a cap with a new one.

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Our markers are alcohol-based so if you forget to close the cap the alcohol will evaporate and the nib will dry out. Depending on how long the cap was off you may still be able to use the marker. However, if the cotton inside the marker dries out, it will not be usable for a long time. If you find the ink flow has deteriorated, we recommend replacing the marker.

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Since the cap is made of plastic, it may crack or deform when exposed to strong external pressure, making it impossible to maintain airtightness. Also, if you leave it in a place with high temperature (e.g. right where the warm air from the heater hits) for a long time, even if the cap is closed, the ink inside may dry out and you may not be able to use it.

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In this case you can try the following: 1. If there is no ink on the inside of the cap, simply try turning it - there is a chance it may come off. 2. If you see ink on the cap, it may be possible that the ink has hardened and made the marker difficult to open. In that case, put the marker in hot water (about 60 degrees Celcius/140 degrees Fahrenheit) for about 2 minutes, and then try to turn the cap. If you leave the cap with ink on it, the ink may harden and make the marker difficult to open. Because of that we recommend that you clean the caps of your markers regularly using a tissue soaked in Colorless Blender.

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What to do: Use a tissue to absorb the excess ink and remove the cap on the opposite site (the one for the Medium Broad nib) to check the nib. If this nib is slightly lighter, put the marker vertically with the broad nib facing down. -As a solution you may remove the Super Brush nib with tweezers and clean the inner part of the nib orifice using a cotton swab with Colorless Blender. Precautions to prevent ink leakage: Most of the times the dripping is caused by leaks inside the markers. When refilling ink, be careful not to overfill it. Also, if you refill your Copic markers by dripping the ink directly onto the nib, please do it on the side of the Medium Broad nib. In addition, the leakage may occur after the markers have been dropped or thrown multiple times, so please handle them with care.

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It seems that there is not enough ink in your marker. In that case, please refill it. Also, the nib may wear out and turn white over time - if that is the case and you are concerned about your drawing comfort, we recommend that you replace the nib.

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This can happen when dyes crystallize. Colors with high dye concentrations are especially prone to crystallization. Wipe it off with a tissue and try to draw with the marker for a while. If drawing feels uncomfortable, please replace the nib.

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Since Copic ink is a dye ink, it can temporarily stain the skin which is difficult to remove. Even if you wash it with soap, it will not come off immediately, so be careful not to rub your skin or else you could damage it. If you wash it several times, the stain will eventually thin out and will be completely removed in a few days. Some emulsions and makeup removers which contain oils, can be used to remove the ink fast, wiped clean, so please try them if you can. It is also effective to use a tissue soaked in Copic's Colorless Blender or ethanol. However, it may cause rough skin, so be careful, especially if you have sensitive skin or if you want to use this method on the skin of a young child.

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This can happen if you apply ink to the same area multiple times. If you apply too much ink, a resin film will form on the surface causing it to appear sticky. In this case you can soak a tissue in Colorless Blender and gently tap the affected area of the artwork - this will remove the stickiness. Be careful when doing this as harsh rubbing may cause the ink to move or completely disappear.

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We recommend using a laser printer with a heat fixing toner, if using an inkjet printer there is a risk that the lines disappear when applying our dye ink on the paper. Generally there wouldn’t be any problems using certain models of pigment ink printers, however we advise you to do a test run first.

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Since we use dye ink, the colors may fade over time when exposed to strong UV light. It also depends on the specific color and the amount of light - some colors may start fading after several hours or days, while some may not change at all. We recommend that you store your artworks in a folder or away from sunlight. If you want to display your work, you can suppress fading by using frames with a UV protection effect.

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Copic markers are, broadly speaking, oil-based markers. However, many definitions of oil-based markers mention the use of strong organic solvents, and since our inks mostly consist of alcohol, we prefer calling Copic markers alcohol-based.

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Although Copic markers are relatively low odor compared to most alcohol based markers there is a level of inevitable alcohol-specific odor, so please use the markers in a well-ventilated room. If you start feeling sick, please refrain from use. The ink components are similar to those in ethanol used for disinfection and do not accumulate in the human body.

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No, cadmium components are not used in our dye inks. Y15, which is called "Cadmium Yellow", has a color similar to a commonly used yellow cadmium pigment, and so we decied to use it as a name for our marker/ink.

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The Colorless Blender marker (0) can be used to blur and soften the already applied ink or to help remove any ink stain or mistake (*to a certain degree only, if the area is too big, it may be difficult to fully remove the color). The transparent alcohol-based solution can be used for or a wide variety of purposes and a 200ml refill is available. Click here to learn more.

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Because our ink is a dye ink, the color appears vibrant after being put on fibers such as paper or cloth. However, because the ink cannot soak into metal, glass or acrylic surfaces, it will probably be very difficult to achieve the results you want using our markers.

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Firstly, make sure to match the exact same color of Copic Ink with the marker you plan to refill. Then remove the broad (angled) nib of the marker using tweezers. Insert the ink nozzle straight into the core of the marker and add an appropriate amount of ink. The amount of ink depends on how much ink is left in the marker, but we recommend that you add around 1ml (one mark of the bottle) each time. Click here to learn more.

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The very first Copic markers (now Copic Classic) were launched in 1987. Prior to Copic, we were selling American markers called Speedly Marker. They were used by designers to draw rough sketches and renderings. However, the ink of Speedry Markers dissolved the lines made with the toner of copy machines. We then set out to create a graphic marker that would enable design professionals to start working with freshly printed photocopies straight away without compromising the quality of their work and this is how and why Copic was introduced.

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The Copic marker was developed in the eighties to provide designers a marker whose ink would not damage or dissolve the toner of printed copies. Inspired by this the underlying rationale, the color picked for the design was intended to resemble the color of copy machines at the time. In addition, the more practical reason was that the rather light gray shade makes it easy to detect any stains which could potentially smudge or harm the artwork. This light gray which is now a signature color for Copic also acts as a 'neutral' canvas which allows the colored end caps to pop.

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Copic markers were developed in the eighties so that it would be possible to draw over the toner used in copy machines. Before, the ink from markers would dissolve the toner, but Copic markers overcame this issue. Given this context and their association for use along copy machines we named our markers 'Copic'.