product review: specialty pens BY LORI FAIRBANKS
Looking for a pen that will write on acrylic, fabric, or metal accents? How about one that you can use to add an easy metallic border to a photo or journaling spot? Or perhaps even a pen set that will help you stamp an image in multiple colors? Consider a specialty pen! We reviewed seven great options. Check our finds to see which one is right for you.
American Crafts’ Stamp Markers
Bic’s Mark-It Color Collection, Ultra Fine Point
Elmer’s Painters Paint Markers
americancrafts.com
bicmarkit.com
elmers.com
Fade-Resistant
Yes
Yes
Yes
Permanent
Permanent on paper
Yes
Yes
MSRP
$2.69 each
$20.99 for 36
$17.07 for 5
Surface Type
Paper
Coated papers, photos, plastic,
Paper, plastic, clay, fabric, metal,
metal, wood, and glass. Not
glass, foam, and wood.
recommended for fabric. Special Features
Dries quickly on paper but stays
Use with an alcohol blending solu-
Acrylic, opaque finish; also avail-
wet a little longer on stamps.
tion to blend or lighten colors.
able in metallic, neon, and pearl-
Dual-tipped with a brush for
escent colors. Pens tend to be a
large surfaces and a medium tip
bit messy, keep scratch paper on
for journaling. Pens are reliable
hand to clean tip.
and non-bleeding. Try it!
Apply multiple ink colors to a
Write on metal.
Write on fabric.
stamp to create a multicolored, stamped image.
Septem ber 2010
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CR EATI NG KEEP SAKE S
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ck | product review Faber-Castell’s Pitt Artist Pens
Krylon’s Short Cuts Paint Pens
fabercastell.com
krylon.com
Fade-Resistant
Yes
Yes
Permanent
Yes
Yes
MSRP
$10.95 for 4
$2.99–3.99 each
Surface Type
Paper, coated paper, inkjet transparencies, fabric,
Wood, metal, wicker, plastic, glass, craft foam,
plastic, wood, metal, and stone. Pens are espe-
plaster, ceramic, fabric, paper, paper mache, and
cially nice for scrapbooking and card making.
silk flowers.
Available in 60 colors including gold and silver. Special Features
Pigmented India Ink is odorless, waterproof, and
These smooth-flowing paint pens write on almost
smudgeproof when dry.
any surface. The chiseled tip draws both thick and thin lines. Pens coordinate perfectly with Krylon’s Short Cuts Aerosol and Brush On Paints.
Try it!
Write on plastic.
Ink the edges of acrylic accents, photos, flowers, and chipboard letters.
Sakura’s Glaze
Sakura’s Soufflé
sakuraofamerica.com
sakuraofamerica.com
Fade-Resistant
No, this ink is for craft projects.
No; this ink is for craft projects.
Permanent
No; ink can be crushed or chipped off of surfaces.
No, ink can be crushed or chipped off of surfaces.
It can also be cleaned off of certain surfaces using
It can also be cleaned off of certain surfaces using
alcohol-based cleaners.
alcohol-based cleaners
MSRP
$22.50 for 10
$22.50 for 10
Surface Type
Non-porous, clean, and smooth surfaces such as
Non-porous, clean, and smooth surfaces such as
coated paper, acetate, vellum, plastic, glass, and
coated paper, acetate, vellum, plastic, glass, and
metal. Works best on light-colored surfaces.
metal. Dark surfaces show off Soufflé’s ink the best.
3-D ink dries to a translucent, glossy finish with a
3-D ink dries to an opaque, matte finish with a raised
raised surface. Allow for extra drying time.
surface. Write slowly for best results and allow for
Special Features
extra drying time. Try it!
60
Write on glossy paper.
C R E A T ING K E E P S AK E S
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Write on dark-colored cardstock. ck