Acrylic Paint Pens Markers: An Affordable Guide to Arrtx Markers
If you've ever wondered how artists get such bold, opaque colour on rocks, canvas, mugs, or sneakers, the answer is usually acrylic paint pens markers. These paint markers combine the control of a felt-tip with the rich, layerable pigment of paint, and while premium brands like POSCA get a lot of the attention, Arrtx has become one of the best value picks in the category.
Please note this blog post contains affiliate links meaning I earn a small commission for sharing supplies I recommend and use.
Acrylic Paint Pens Markers: An Affordable Guide to Arrtx Markers
Whether you're a classroom teacher stocking a full set of markers on a budget, a teen building your first collection, or a beginner who isn't ready to invest in premium paint pens yet, Arrtx is worth a close look. This guide breaks down the different Arrtx marker types, sizes, how to use them properly, and every surface they're built for, based on Arrtx's own official product pages.
What Are Acrylic Paint Pens Markers (And Why Arrtx Is a Smart Budget Pick)
Acrylic Paint Pens vs. Paint Markers: What's the Difference?
These terms get used interchangeably, but they're not quite the same thing.
"Paint marker" is the umbrella term for any pen-shaped tool that dispenses paint instead of regular ink. That covers a few different formulas: oil-based paint markers (stronger odour, often used for marking metal, tires, or industrial materials), enamel paint markers, and water-based acrylic paint markers.
An "acrylic paint pen" is specifically a paint marker filled with water-based acrylic paint, rather than an oil or solvent-based formula. That's the category both Arrtx and POSCA belong to, which is exactly why they're considered classroom- and kid-safe: low odour, easy soap-and-water cleanup while wet, and no harsh fumes.
In short: every acrylic paint pen is a paint marker, but not every paint marker is an acrylic paint pen. When you see "acrylic marker" or "acrylic paint pen" on a label, that's your signal it's the water-based, classroom-friendly version.
The Different Types of Arrtx Paint Markers
Instead of a handful of fixed single pens, Arrtx mostly sells its markers in multi-colour sets (anywhere from 12 to 150 colours), organized by tip style. Here's what each tip type is built for, straight from Arrtx's own product pages.
Beyond acrylic markers, Arrtx also makes alcohol-based markers, drawing pencils, pastels, gel pens, and drawing paper. They also sell individual replacement brush tips separately, so a marker doesn't have to be thrown out once its tip wears down, a nice bonus for a classroom set that gets heavy use.
Arrtx Marker Sizes Explained
Unlike POSCA, which sells separate pens at fixed widths, most Arrtx acrylic markers use a single flexible brush tip that covers a size range in one nib, so you get fine lines and bold fills from the same pen. Here's how the sizing breaks down, in Arrtx's own specs:
Rule of thumb for teachers, teens, and beginners: start with a brush tip set. It's Arrtx's most common and versatile tip, suited to everything from outlining to filling in shapes, and the flexible nib makes it easy for beginners to get both fine lines and bold colour without switching pens.
How to Use Arrtx Acrylic Paint Markers
One of Arrtx's biggest selling points over some premium brands: most of their acrylic marker sets skip the pump-priming step entirely. Here's the basic routine:
Shake well. Give the marker a good shake before first use to mix the pigment, even on sets with an automatic ink-flow system.
Uncap and go. No pumping or pressing needed — ink flows to the nib on its own, so you can start drawing right away.
Layer once dry, blend while wet. The opaque, fast-drying ink builds up nicely in layers once dry, but blending works best while a layer is still wet, since it's less forgiving than alcohol marker ink once set.
Recap tightly between colours. This is the main thing that keeps a tip from drying out mid-project.
Swap worn tips. Arrtx sells individual replacement brush tips for some series, so a marker doesn't need to be replaced outright once the nib wears down.
Store horizontally. Keeping the cap firmly closed matters more than the position for most sets.
Because the ink goes down heavy and can take a few minutes to dry fully, it's worth working in sections and giving pieces time to set before stacking or moving them, especially with a classroom full of students working at once.
What Surfaces Can You Use Arrtx Markers On?
Per Arrtx's own product listings, their acrylic markers are built to work on:
Arrtx's acrylic markers are water-based and described as non-toxic and low-odour, drying to a waterproof, fade-resistant finish once set. That combination, odourless, washable before it dries, durable once it does, is exactly what makes them a practical fit for a classroom full of kids or a teen just starting out.
What I love about Arrtx Acrylic Paint Markers
Affordable great gifts for teens, great for art teachers especially the 150 pack, great for beginners
Excellent range of colours
Pretty good coverage especially for the price- some lighter colours came out streaky and needed more layers - this is fine as a base or to layer on top with designs/blending
Comes with a box with built in storage/organization
Easy to use
The brush tip is versatile because you can get fine lines and larger sections like a regular marker
They sell refills
What I Don’t Enjoy About Arrtx Acylic Paint Markers
Would be nice to have an additional white and black in the 150 set - those are the most used
Not perfect coverage requires a few coats to not have streaky sections.
Example of the streaky lines I am talking about.
Tips for Using Arrtx Markers in the Art Room
For teachers, homeschool parents, and teens shopping on a budget:
Start with a brush tip set. It's the most forgiving and versatile tip, easy for beginners and teens to control.
Try the beginner kit first. Arrtx's 24-colour beginner set comes with practice sheets and a finel iner, a low-cost way to test the medium before buying a bigger set.
Budget per student, not per pen. A multi-colour Arrtx set costs a fraction of buying the same number of colours in individual premium pens, which makes it realistic to stock a full classroom set.
Keep caps capped. Same dry-out risk as any paint marker.
Let students test on scrap paper first, especially since the ink can flow heavier on first use.
If you love them try the larger set of 150 (what I have) that way it’s a better cost per pen and you have a nice range of colours for your students).
FAQ: Acrylic Paint Pens Markers
Are Arrtx markers actually acrylic? Yes. Arrtx explicitly markets its acrylic marker line as water-based acrylic paint, not alcohol or oil-based ink, which is part of why they're considered classroom-safe and low-odour.
Is Arrtx cheaper than POSCA? Per set, yes. Arrtx's multi-colour sets cost noticeably less than buying the same number of colours in individual premium pens, which makes Arrtx a practical pick for classrooms, beginners, and teens building a bigger colour collection.
Do Arrtx markers need pumping like some other brands? No. Most Arrtx acrylic marker sets use a no-pump, shake-and-go design, so ink flows to the tip without pressing or priming.
Can you blend Arrtx colours? To an extent. Blending works best while a layer is still wet, since the opaque, fast-drying ink is less forgiving to blend once it's fully dry, especially compared with alcohol markers.
What's the best Arrtx set for beginners? A brush tip set, like Arrtx's 24-colour beginner kit, which includes practice sheets and a fineliner and is built specifically for first-time users.
Ready to Try Arrtx?
Arrtx markers open up the same creative possibilities as premium acrylic paint pens, bold colour on paper, canvas, wood, rock, and more, at a price that makes it realistic to stock a full classroom set or let a teen build a real collection. Pick a brush tip set, skip the priming, and you're ready to go.
Looking for more acrylic painting tips, lessons, and project ideas? Check out the rest of the blog for tutorials you can bring straight into your own art practice or classroom.
Related Articles:
Download my Beginner Painting Guide
Purchase my Zentangle Art Examples