Best Paint Pens For Wood | Write Without Bleeding
You can see it all over social media: paint pens and art markers that can write, draw, and paint on wood.
However, not every marker or paint pen will result in the same vibrant and long-lasting colors, so it’s important that you choose the right one.
Regardless if you are looking to do indoor or outdoor crafts, in this article we will go over the best pens for writing on wood.
1. Uni-Posca Paint Marker
The paint markers by Uni-Posca are my favorite paint pens for wood. When drawing on paper I prefer Copic markers, but Uni-Posca markers are the way to go for any other kind of surface, including wood.
These markers are non-toxic, waterproof, and have a vibrant color. They also have a relatively smooth tip, which makes it easier to write on textured surfaces like wood.
Since the ink dries quickly you won’t have to worry about smudging or smearing. Moreover, the marker releases the ink evenly which makes it easy to make smooth lines even on an uneven surface.
The only real downside of these markers is that they aren’t available in a lot of colors. Any of the primary or basic colors should be fine, but if you want something like mint blue you are out of luck.
Pros
- Non-toxic
- Safe for children
- Permanent
- Works on many surfaces
Cons
- Needs a good shake before use
- Limited number of colors
2. Molotow ONE4ALL Acrylic Paint Markers
Unlike most paint pens for wood, these markers by Molotow use acrylic paint which results in very vivid colors. Moreover, the ink is resistant to UV and harsh weather conditions, so the colors won’t dull over time.
These markers can also be used on many other materials besides wood such as paper, glass, canvas and rocks.
One big benefit that these markers have is that you can refill them when they are empty. So if you are planning to use your markers a lot, this would be a good choice.
The markers can be used with minimal shaking and the ink dries fast enough to prevent smudging.
Pros
- Refillable
- Lightfast ink
- Works on many surfaces
Cons
- Expensive
3. Sharpie Oil-Based Paint Markers
The first oil-based markers on this list are by Sharpie. This well-known brand of pens and pencils also has good markers to write on wood.
The ink dries quickly and lasts a long time on wood. Of course, besides wood it can also be used on surfaces such as glass, wood, metal, etc.
The ink flow is very consistent and the marker are easy to use. The colors also looked great, but unfortunately there weren’t many colors to choose from.
The biggest downside is that these markers are pretty delicate. The marker quickly dries up if you leave the cap off for too long, and the nibs easily deform when you press too hard or store them in the wrong position.
Pros
- Non-toxic
- Waterproof
- Works on many surfaces
Cons
- Limited number of colors
- Easy to Break
4. Elmer’s Painters Opaque Paint Markers
These water-based markers by Elmer are somewhat of a budget option compared with the other water-based paint pens on this list.
They can be used for various DIY projects and work on multiple surfaces such as wood, glass, stones, etc.
The ink contains a lot of pigment, which means you can get the colors you want with only a single layer.
These markers are easy to use and a great option for anyone that want to write on wooden plaques for the first time. You also can buy them with either a fine or medium nib, depending on your preference.
For the best result you want to make sure that you are working on a relatively smooth surface. So you will have to either sand the wood or carefully choose a plaque without too much texture.
Pros
- Non-toxic
- Safe for children
- Different nibs available
Cons
- Works best on smooth surfaces
5. Sakura Pen-Touch Paint Markers
Sakura markers might not directly ring a bell to you, but Sakura is one of the mayor manufacturers of markers in Japan. Their markers produce very vivid colors and give a good coverage even on wood.
These paint pens are mainly designed for lettering and writing. As a result, you can choose from various nibs ranging from small to medium size.
One pro of these markers is that they come in some colors that you can’t find with the other brands such as gold, silver, and copper.
Pros
- Range of colors
- Durable
Cons
- No big nibs
How to choose the right paint markers
From the 5 paint pens for wood listed above I would go with Uni-Posca markers every single time. But depending on your preferences you might want to go with one of the other markers. Here are some things you want to keep in mind when choosing:
Color
Most brands only sell paint pens for wood in a limited number of colors. Normally it can be quite tricky to blend different colors on wood. So make sure that all the colors you need are included. Moreover, you want to make sure that the ink has enough pigment to produce vivid colors with just a single layer.
Long-Lasting
You don’t want your colors to slowly disappear over time. If you are placing your wooden plaques indoor, you want to make sure that the ink is lightfast and the colors don’t fade due to UV exposure.
If you want to place the decorated wood outside, you want to make sure the ink is both lightfast and waterproof, such that it can withstand the rain.
Alternatively, you can also apply a sealant after the ink has dried to make it water-resistant.
All-Surface Markers
Most people don’t write on wood very often. So it’s a good idea to buy markers or paint pens that work on both wood and various other materials such that you can use them for other DIY projects as well.
Note that some of the most popular art markers such as Copic markers and Prismacolor art markers aren’t suitable for writing on wood.
Nib size
Not every brand sells their paint markers in different sizes. But if they do, you want to make sure to consider which one to get. If you have big nibs it’s easier to paint or draw large surfaces, while fine nibs are better suited for drawing small details or writing.
Also if you are drawing or writing on a very small wooden object, it’s normally better to got with the smaller nib.
Safety
Safety might not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think of markers. But it’s always important to make sure the markers you choose are non-toxic. Some paint markers that use phenol, ethyl glycol, or xylene can give of a distinctive smell that can be harmful, especially for younger kids. So make sure to go for the non-toxic version, such that both the paint markers and your creations are safe.
Best pens to write on wood without bleeding
Personally, I used the Uni Posca markers every time I have to write on wood. The acrylic paint stays close to the surface, so the bleeding is minimal.
The colors are also very vibrant. But you sometimes have to go over the same areas several times to get a solid color.
Below, you can see how to write on wood using the Posca markers.
Summary
It’s possible to write or paint on wood if you are using the right markers. The Uni Posca markers work great because the water-based ink stays close to the surface of the wood.
However, the type of wood that you are writing on can have a big impact as well. To get the best result, you want to make sure that the wood is smooth and clean. Using a primer on the wood before writing can also help.
Alcohol-based markers such as Copic don’t work well on wood because they bleed through the wood, so stick to water-based acrylic ink markers.
Frequently asked questions
Do sharpies work on wood?
To write on wood you need paint pens with the right ink. Thus, not every pen or marker by Sharpie can be used on wood. The Sharpie Oil markers can be used for writing or drawing on wood without any problem and produce vibrant and long-lasting colors.
How to keep paint pens from bleeding on wood?
There are three ways to keep paint pens from bleeding on wood. First, you can try a paint pen with a different paint consistency. Secondly, you can try a different type of wood. Finally, you can apply a clear coat layer before using your markers.
How do you write on wood?
First, you want to make sure the wood is completely clean. So use plenty of water and wait till it’s completely dry.
Then use a pencil to outline the words that you want to write. Make sure to use very thin lines because pencil can be difficult to remove on wood.
Take your paint pen or marker of choice and then write the words you just outlined with pencil.
If you are planning to place your wooden object outside after you decorated it, make sure to seal the paint to make it water-resistant.
