Top Brands for Marker Pens: Artists' Favorites Unveiled!

Marker pens are essential tools for artists, teachers, and professionals alike, offering a versatile and vibrant way to express ideas and creativity. In recent years, several brands have stood out for their quality, durability, and wide array of colors, making the choice both exciting and challenging for consumers seeking the perfect match for their needs. Whether you're looking for something eco-friendly, long-lasting, or offering the richest pigments, finding the right brand can significantly impact your experience and satisfaction. Below, we've compiled a list of some of the best brands in the market to help you make an informed decision.

Illustration of marker pens

Best brands of marker pens in 2025

Sharpie

Sharpie is a leading brand in the marker pen market, renowned for its high-quality and versatile products. In 2012, Sharpie achieved an impressive 89% market share through its successful Back to School social media campaign targeted at teenagers, leveraging platforms like Instagram and Facebook to promote self-expression. The brand continues to innovate, offering a wide range of markers, including metallic and paint pens, although some of these products have been noted for their variability in performance. Sharpie's dominance is further underscored by its strong presence in the global marker pen market, which is projected to grow from $2.5 billion in 2024 to $3.39 billion by 2034. With a focus on creativity and reliability, Sharpie remains a preferred choice for artists, students, and professionals alike. Explore more on their world of creativity.

Prismacolor

Prismacolor, a renowned brand in the art supplies industry, is highly regarded for its high-quality marker pens and colored pencils. Known for their vibrant colors and durability, Prismacolor products are a favorite among artists and designers. The global colored pencils market, which includes Prismacolor, is expected to grow from USD 1955.66 million in 2022 to USD 3105.56 million by 2030, with a CAGR of 6.83%. Prismacolor markers are particularly popular for their quick-drying, low-odor, and water-resistant properties, making them a preferred choice in graphic design and advertising. The brand's commitment to innovation and quality has solidified its position as a leader in the market.

Copic

Copic is renowned as one of the best producers of marker pens, particularly known for their professional-quality, alcohol-based markers. Introduced in 1987, Copic markers are highly regarded by artists for their smooth application, wide range of brilliant colors (with 358 colors available), and refillable design. These markers are double-sided, low-odor, and non-toxic, making them ideal for various artistic applications. Copic markers are hand-tested for quality and color consistency, ensuring batch-to-batch uniformity. They are favored by artists, designers, and hobbyists for their vibrant colors and blending capabilities.

Staedtler

Staedtler, a renowned German multinational stationery manufacturing company, stands out as one of the best producers of marker pens, boasting a rich history dating back to 1835. The company is celebrated for its high-quality products, including the popular 'Lumocolor' brand of markers, which were introduced in 1954. Staedtler's commitment to innovation is evident in its continuous expansion of product lines, such as technical pens and fineliners, which have contributed to its global presence with over 26 subsidiaries and nine manufacturing facilities. The company's products are highly regarded for their durability and ergonomic designs, making them a favorite among artists, students, and office professionals. With a strong market presence, Staedtler continues to innovate and meet the diverse demands of consumers worldwide.

Tombow

Tombow is a renowned brand in the marker pen market, established in Japan in 1913 and known for its high-quality writing supplies. The company has expanded its product line to include dual brush marker pens, which are highly versatile with both a large nylon brush nib and a 1mm nylon nib. Tombow's products are distributed globally, with significant presence in Asia and the Western world, including the establishment of American Tombow, Inc. in 1983. The brand is praised for its innovative product design and exceptional customer service, earning awards such as the Red Dot Award in 2010. Tombow's marker pens are popular among artists, bullet journalists, and professionals for their precision and vivid colors.

Sakura

Sakura is renowned as one of the leading producers of marker pens, known for its high-quality and versatile products. The company is a key player in the global marker pen market, which is expected to grow from $2.5 billion in 2024 to $3.39 billion by 2034, with a CAGR of 3.1%. Sakura's products, including oily (alcoholic) markers and water-based markers, dominate significant market segments, with the oily marker segment holding about 55% of the market share. The company's strong presence is evident in its inclusion in various market reports, highlighting its competitive edge and market influence. Sakura's commitment to innovation and sustainability, such as using environmentally friendly materials, further solidifies its position in the market. For more detailed insights on market trends and forecasts, visit the global marker pen market report.

Faber-Castell

Faber-Castell, established in 1761, is a renowned brand and one of the best producers of marker pens, known for its high-quality writing and drawing instruments. The company holds a significant market share, with key players like Faber-Castell accounting for 8-12% of the marker pens market in 2023. Faber-Castell is the world's largest pencil manufacturer, producing over 2 billion pencils and color pencils annually. The company's products, such as the Pitt Big Brush pens, are appreciated for their precision, vivid colors, and ease of use. With a strong global presence in over 120 countries, Faber-Castell continues to innovate and maintain its market leadership.

Winsor & Newton

Winsor & Newton, a renowned brand since 1832, is a leading producer of high-quality marker pens, particularly known for their innovative products like the Promarker and Brushmarker series. Acquired from Letraset, these markers have been integrated into Winsor & Newton's portfolio, offering users a range of options including alcohol-based, pigment-based, and watercolor markers. The company's commitment to art and science is evident in their products, which are developed by a team of 'colourmen' with a background in chemistry. Winsor & Newton holds a significant market share in the art paint sector, accounting for 12.29% of the revenue market share in 2019. Their products are widely used by artists and professionals globally. For more information about their contributions to the art industry, visit their official website.

Crayola

Crayola is a paramount player in the marker pen industry, boasting an impressive 83.4% market share of the coloring market as of 2014, with 40% of its sales coming from colored pencils. The brand's dominance is further highlighted by its 80% market share in the crayon market and a 2.6% share in the global writing instrument market. Known for its high-quality, non-toxic, and child-safe products, Crayola maintains strong brand recognition and loyalty, with 98% of consumers familiar with the brand. Its products are sold in over 80 countries, and the company continues to innovate, adapting to market trends such as the popularity of adult coloring books. Crayola's commitment to quality and innovation solidifies its position as a leader in the art supply industry.

Uni-ball

Uni-ball is a renowned brand in the marker pen market, known for its high-quality writing instruments that offer precision, vivid colors, and durability. The brand is part of a market expected to grow from $2.5 billion in 2024 to $3.39 billion by 2034, with a CAGR of 3.1%. Uni-ball's products are favored for their innovative designs and improved ink flow, contributing to the brand's strong market presence. In the United States, marker pens, including those from Uni-ball, are forecasted to grow at a rate of 3.5% from 2024 to 2034, driven by demand from schools, offices, and various industries. The brand's revenue and market share reflect its commitment to R&D and customer satisfaction.