Adult coloring books have been the key to my happiness for years. It’s a simple activity that offers a sense of nostalgia in addition to mood and mental health benefits. I whip them out whenever I’m feeling stressed, anxious, or overthinking my life’s minute details and the results are nearly instantaneous.
What makes adult coloring books even more appealing is the massive variety in designs and themes. You can find one based on your favorite Disney movies or televisions shows, ones with funny or motivational quotes, or completely abstract designs with such intricate details it will take months to complete. Personally, I like to keep a variety on hand so that I have options to choose from when I’m feeling creative.
Design isn’t the only thing you’ll want to consider though. When coloring with markers, you should also consider paper texture and thickness. When the paper has a rougher texture, it tends to absorb more and dry out your markers faster. The same goes for thin paper, which is also more likely to allow the ink to bleed through. For these reasons, markers work best on thick, smooth paper.
Check out the different marker options below and find the set that will work best for your artistic goals.
Best Dual Tip Markers
Dual tip markers offer two sizes, allowing you to color in larger surface areas as well as small details. The Tanmit Dual Tip Brush Marker Pens are some of the best markers for adult coloring books as they offer both versatility and a wide variety of colors.
Its watercolor tip is made of a flexible nylon fiber brush which can create a variety of line widths depending on the amount of pressure applied. If you press too hard while using this tip, it may cause uneven brushstrokes and bleed. If this happens, try easing up on the pressure.
Perfect Use For:
- Detailed coloring or illustrating
- Creating watercolor-like art
Tip type: Extra fine bullet tip (0.04 mm) | Watercolor tip (1.0 to 6.0 mm)
Pros:
- Affordable option
- Dual tips create versatility
- 36 color options
- Can create paintbrush-like strokes
- Flexible tip can draw a variety of line widths
- Non-toxic
- Odorless
- Safe for kids
Cons:
- Can bleed through thin paper
- Some brush tips are too soft and create an inconsistent flow
Best Alcohol Markers
Alcohol-based markers are in high demand these days as they blend easier, unlike water-based markers, which can leave behind streaks. Ohuhu Dual Tips Permanent Art Markers are considered the best alcohol-based markers for adult coloring books. Like the Tanmit markers, these Ohuhu markers are also dual-tipped, allowing for more variety in lines.
Amateur painters will love this set of markers, as it allows users to blend their colors while trying their hand at using adult coloring books. Combined with its fast-drying capabilities, these markers will have your work looking like it was done by a professional!
Perfect Use For:
- Detailed coloring or illustrating
- Caligraphy
- Fine art requiring blended colors
Tip type: Fine watercolor tip (1.0 – 5 mm) | Medium chisel tip (1.0 – 5 mm)
Pros:
- Affordable
- Fast drying
- No smudging
- Color blending capabilities
- Watercolor-like strokes
- Versatile marker tips
- Wide variety of colors
- Replacement tips available
- Comfortable grip
Cons:
- Some caps don’t match the pigment color exactly
- Color may be runny if too much pressure is used
Best Watercolor Markers
Arteza’s Real Brush Pens versatile tip and blending capabilities make them one of the best markers for adult coloring. They have a tapered nylon fiber brush tip enabling the user to create thin and thick lines with added pressure. The water-based ink forms watercolor-like brushstrokes when dipped in water but delivers strong fine lines when dry.
Watercolor markers aren’t always the easiest to use and require some practice. If you’re not interested in watching some online tutorials, then these may not be the best option for you.
Perfect Use For:
- Coloring and illustrating
- Hand lettering
- Fine art
Tip type: Extra fine watercolor tip (0.05 mm)
Pros:
- Affordable
- Versatile line opacity by adding water
- Shading and blending capabilities
- Flexible tip allows different stroke types
Cons:
- May be difficult for beginners
Best Non-Bleed Markers
Mr. Pen Bible Markers are the best for coloring in a book made with thin paper. These markers don’t smudge or bleed, allowing you to work on both sides of the page. They also have a twist-up design, giving you more ink to work with.
Since these markers are made of a gel material, you can sharpen them to a point for fine detailing. Mr. Pen Bible Markers are the best non-bleed markers but may not be the best overall option.
Perfect Use For:
- Coloring or illustrating on thin paper
- Bible notes or journaling
- Highlighting
Tip type: Medium bullet tip
Pros:
- Affordable
- Vibrant colors
- No smudging or bleeding
- Can sharpen the tip
Cons:
- Function more like crayons
- Dry out quickly
- Few colors available
Best Gel Markers
While not technically markers, Aen Art Gel Pens work great on adult coloring books, especially if a design has a lot of small details. The vibrant colors will make any artwork pop, and the included glitter pens will give your work some extra flare.
If you have an adult coloring book with thin pages and you’re afraid markers will bleed through, these are your best option. Aen Art Gel Pens offer more depth than colored pencils while also not ruining any other pages.
Perfect Use For:
- Detailed coloring or illustrating
- Writing
- Scrapbooking
Tip type: Extra fine bullet tip (0.8 mm – 1.0 mm)
Pros:
- Affordable
- Wide variety of vibrant colors
- Smooth lines
- Acid-free
- Non-toxic ink
- Won’t smear or fade
- Safe for kids
Cons:
- Run out of ink quickly
- Coloring large areas may look streaky
- Can’t blend colors
Different Things To Consider
In general, the finer the marker tip, the better it will be for detailed coloring. With so many options regarding the size and shape of the tip, choosing the best markers for adult coloring may not be as simple as picking up a box of Crayolas at the supermarket.
The Tip Size
Extra Fine Tip: These markers have the smallest tips, generally between 0.3 mm and 0.5 mm. They work best when used for highly detailed coloring, sketching, or writing. Fine tip markers are the next size up, offering a slightly larger tip and are between 0.5 mm and 0.09 mm.
Medium Point: These are the most common size and start at 1.0 mm. They’re still small enough to tackle details but are large enough that coloring more area is still manageable. If you’re just starting and are looking for a one-size-fits-all option, the medium point markers are your best bet.
Broad Point: Broad point markers are likely what you think of when you think back to coloring as a kid. They’re ideal for labeling moving boxes or creating signs for your garage sale and may be too big for adult coloring books.
The Different Tip Shapes
Bullet Tip: These tip shapes are the most common, as they offer the best of both worlds. As its name implies, the tip is shaped like a bullet and can color large areas or add small details.
Chisel Tip: Chisel tip markers have both a wide, flat side and a point. While they also enable you to color in large areas and small details, these work best for writing calligraphy.
Brush Tip: These are probably the most versatile markers because the thickness of the line created depends on how hard you press down when using them. For this reason, brush tip markers are considered one of the best for adult coloring books.
Watercolor: These markers have a paintbrush-shaped tip and create an effect similar to watercolor paints. Like watercolor paints, these markers sometimes need to be dipped in water before being used. They’re one of the best markers for adult coloring if that’s the aesthetic you’re going for.