Best Copic Alternatives - 6 Affordable Alcohol Markers That Blend Like Copics
If you’ve ever looked into alcohol markers, you’ve probably heard of Copics and then gasped at the price tag.
They might be considered the gold standard, but building a full set can cost hundreds (or even thousands) of dollars.
The good news? You don’t have to spend that much to get markers that look and feel pretty close to Copics.
If you’re looking for the best cheap alcohol markers that can replace Copics, here are the top alternatives.
Disclaimer: In the name of full transparency, please be aware that this blog post contains affiliate links and any purchases made through such links will result in a small commission for me (at no extra cost for you).
Top Copic Alternatives
1. Ohuhu Markers - Honolulu & Oahu
For the price of 100 Copics, you can buy 835 Ohuhu Markers.
If there’s one brand that almost everyone recommends as a true Copic alternative, it’s Ohuhu. Ohuhu markers are loved by many artists (beginner or pro), including me.
I love these markers, and I use them for every drawing tutorial on this blog.
What I like most about these markers is the feel through the brush nib. It's not floppy like every other brush marker I've tried. It actually has some feel to it, which makes coloring a lot more intuitive and enjoyable.
I also like the wide range of 320 colors. Almost any color you can imagine is included, allowing you to color anything you want.
If you're starting out, a set of 24 to 48 colors will get you a long way.
Pros:
- Consistent ink flow & smooth coloring
- Wide range of colors (320 in total)
- Reversible brush nib
- Refills for 51 colors
- Very affordable in sets
- Can be bought individually
- Many light and dark tones
Cons:
- Individual markers are more expensive than buying them in sets
View the Ohuhu Honolulu on Amazon
View the Ohuhu Oahu on Amazon
View the Ohuhu Honolulu on Ohuhu.com
View the Ohuhu Oahu on Ohuho.com
2. Prismacolor Premier Art Markers
For the price of 100 Copics, you can buy 235 Prismacolor markers.
Prismacolor has been a trusted name in the art world for decades, and their alcohol markers live up to the reputation. The colors are bold and vibrant, and they blend really nicely.
One drawback: they don’t come with a brush tip. You only get a chisel and fine nib.
That said, they’re still a great mid-range option, especially if you already love Prismacolor colored pencils and want markers from the same family.
Pros:
- Known for rich, vibrant colors and smooth laydown
- Good blending performance
- Strong reputation in the art world
- Dual-tip design (chisel + fine tip)
Cons:
- No brush nib option → limits blending techniques
- More expensive than Ohuhu, but still cheaper than Copics
- Not refillable
- Smaller color range compared to Copic
View the Prismacolor Premier Art Markers on Amazon
3. Arteza Everblend Art Alcohol Markers
For the price of 100 Copics, you can buy 590 Arteza markers.
Arteza has made a name for itself by offering affordable art supplies with surprisingly decent quality, and their alcohol markers are no exception.
They come in ergonomic triangular barrels that are comfortable to hold, and they offer plenty of colors.
So, if you want a solid, budget-friendly set from a brand that’s easy to find online, Arteza is worth considering.
Pros:
- Affordable mid-range option
- Wide range of sets (from small packs to large collections)
- Triangular barrel → ergonomic, less likely to roll off the desk
- Good blending ability for the price
Cons:
- Inconsistent ink flow (some colors dry quicker than others)
- Not refillable
- Colors can be less vibrant compared to Ohuhu or Prismacolor
View the Arteza Everblend Art Markers on Amazon
Best Cheap Alcohol Markers
Budget-friendly markers that still color well.
1. Caliart
For the price of 100 Copics, you can buy 1462 Caliart markers.
Caliart is one of the most popular budget marker brands on Amazon, and it’s easy to see why: you get huge sets at a super low price.
The markers themselves aren’t fancy, but they get the job done for beginners and hobbyists.
If you’re just starting out and want lots of colors to play with without spending much, Caliart is a solid pick.
Pros:
- Very affordable
- Dual tips (chisel + fine)
- Good starter set for beginners
- Decent blending for the price
Cons:
- No brush nib option
- Colors can be streaky, especially on larger areas
- No refills, nibs can wear out quickly
View the Caliart markers on Amazon
2. Shuttle Art
For the price of 100 Copics, you can buy 1360 Shuttle Art markers.
Shuttle Art is another Amazon favorite in the budget marker category.
They’re very similar to Caliart, inexpensive, lots of colors, and fine for practicing blending and coloring.
Don’t expect Copic-level performance, but if you want a ton of markers for the cost of a single Copic, Shuttle Art delivers.
They’re especially good if you’re testing the waters with alcohol markers and don’t want to invest too much just yet.
Pros:
- Extremely budget-friendly (similar price to Caliart)
- Good color variety in large sets
- Ink flow is consistent for simple projects
- Popular choice for beginners testing alcohol markers
Cons:
- No brush nibs, only chisel + fine
- Limited blending compared to Ohuhu/Prismacolor
- Not lightfast, colors fade faster
- Build quality is lower than premium brands
View the Shuttle Art markers on Amazon
3. Dollar Store Markers
For the price of 100 Copics, you can buy 2785 dollar store markers.
At the very bottom of the price spectrum, you’ll find the super cheap markers from unknown brands.
They’re not great, but they do let you experiment with how alcohol markers feel.
For casual coloring or kids, they’re fine, but if you’re serious about art, you’ll quickly want to move up to Caliart, Shuttle Art, or Ohuhu.
Pros:
- Cheapest possible entry point.
- Good for experimenting if you’ve never used alcohol markers before.
- Fine for casual coloring, crafts, or kids.
Cons:
- Very streaky and blotchy ink.
- Limited blending ability.
- Nibs wear down fast, feel scratchy.
View dollar store markers on Amazon.com
Tags
Articles You Might Also Like
I love bringing cars to life with alcohol markers and colored pencils.
Whether you're just starting out or looking to improve your skills, I'm here to help!
Click here to learn more about me.
Be the first to comment!
Comments
There are no comments yet.