The Best Markers for Fashion Illustration in 2023

The beautiful clothing ensembles you see through the glass windows of a department store, perhaps a bespoke gown or suit for your friend’s wedding speak for the designer’s creativity and skills. But right before they choose the fabrics, put them together, and let the world see their stunning concepts, these fashion designers unveil and deliver their ideas into illustrations.

With that being said, these stylish clothing pieces were once sketches, detailed, and drawn using the best markers for fashion illustration. Besides needles and threads, there is no doubt that high-quality markers are part of a designer’s fashion illustration supplies to create a thoughtfully curated wardrobe.

If you are a professional fashion designer or a student, you would probably agree that it is imperative to have a set of markers for your illustrations and creative ideas. However, the options can be pretty overwhelming, which is why I will walk you through the guidelines as well as the most excellent sets you’ll ever find.

Best Markers for Fashion Illustration Reviews

1. Copic Markers Copic Doodle Art Markers

The fact that this marker set is from a reputable brand is already an obvious reason why I placed it as the first on our list. However, their exceptional performance and exceptional ink quality make these Copic markers among the best fashion illustration tools to try.

I know that Copics are popular for their extensive color collection but I am confident that this 7-piece marker set will suffice. This doodle kit includes five different markers in natural colors and multiliner pens for rendering detailed lines.

Although some might prefer having a full marker set, I bet this kit is a perfect combo that can accomplish finished sketches. Since it has markers and fine pens, designers can easily illustrate their clothing ideas and concepts.

When it comes to their ink quality, I must say that they are one of the finest among marker brands. The alcohol-based ink delivers rich colors and highly blendable quality for seamless applications.

Like the brand’s flagship designs, these markers are dual-ended; it features chisel and brush nibs. It is nice to have both worlds in a pen because you can just switch between nibs anytime to create various line widths.

Moreover, the multiliner pens dry quickly like the rest of the markers in the set. Every time I draw or create fine lines, these pens glide smoothly and do not bleed. Plus, they are waterproof. Therefore, I find them reliable when accentuating the tiniest artwork details and embellishments.

Other than their premium quality ink, what I love the most about them are the refillable inks. I may have to purchase them separately but they can prolong the marker’s life span for years! But I don’t have to worry about inks running out and replacing them since the markers are already long-lasting.

I think the only drawback is they are relatively more expensive than other marker sets.

2. Dyvicl Gel Ink Illustration Pens

Gel pens are fashion design pens that can add detailed highlighting and shimmery embellishments to various wardrobe illustrations and ideas. Some of the best brands I have found are these Dyvicl gel pens in silver, white, and gold colors.

According to my designer friend, these gel pens have excellent ink quality and an amazing array of elegant colors that can transform drafts and outlines into sophisticated illustrations.

I do agree with that since the color selection showcases regal hues that can help designers envision the outcome of their sketches and concepts. But what makes these gel pens among the top picks is their smooth performance and color quality.

What I like about the ink quality is that it is fast-drying, water-resistant and smear-resistant. I consider that huge merit as most gel pens smear or bleed heavily whereas these gel pens can render clean and crisp lines.

Apart from that, the inks deliver opaque colors that work great on sketchbooks and dark papers. Not to mention that the inks are archival and acid-free, keeping the colors long-lasting and protected from yellowing or fading.

With all these advantages, I must say that the ultra-fine tips make a lot of difference. The 0.5mm tip sizes render thin lines and intricate details, which can be useful for producing precise strokes and features.

Although that seems to be one of its significant elements, the tip size can also be a letdown. It might take a long time for these needle-like tips to cover or color large spaces.

3. Primrosia Art Illustration Marker Pens

Just by looking at its pretty cylindrical case, I know I would want this marker pen set sitting on my desk. Although the packaging seems to be eye-catching, the best part is the colorful and beautiful marker collection inside.

As I am a sucker for ombre effects or gradient shades, this 60-piece marker set is more than enough to achieve various coloring styles. The colors are highly blendable and hence, allows multiple layering to create different depths and shades.

Moreover, the consistent ink flow provides smooth and clean strokes, which I think is a significant factor that makes these marker pens excellent. Therefore, it is a lot easier for me to work with the pens and drive them to whatever line styles I want.

Although the color selection and ink quality have already convinced me to try this set, there is just more to love about these markers: they are dual-ended. With the fine and brush tips, it is easy to switch between nibs to create multiple line widths.

Impressively, the brush tip glides smoothly as it dispenses ink without messy smears or spills. It is neither too soft nor too rigid but rather has optimum stiffness that works great on dry layering and building colors. Plus, it can produce thick and thin lines.

The fineliner pen features a 0.4mm tip size that can produce precise outlines and intricate strokes. Therefore, I recommend this pen for designers who go for complex details and embellishments.

Here’s another treat: they also work as watercolor markers! All you need is a wet brush to slowly blend the inks; thus, achieve watercolor effects. Then, to accentuate the details and fine lines, the fineliner pens will do the trick.

On the other hand, I do not see any pitfalls when it comes to their quality and performance. These markers also use non-toxic and acid-free ink! They are definitely among my favorites but the hefty price tag might not be appealing for others users.

4. Winsor & Newton Arts Illustration Promarker

Like many of my favorite fashion sketch markers, this Winsor & Newton Promarker set offers dual-ended markers for versatile and hassle-free applications. Graphic designers and illustrators can make use of the fine bullet nibs for sharp and precise detailing and broad chisel nibs for full coverage and thick lines.

They stand out because of their remarkable alcohol-based inks that render flawless and vibrant colors. Due to their fast-drying ink, I find it easy to mix and layer colors without worrying about blotches or smudges.

If you look closely at the color selection, each shade has a translucent quality, which means that the colors are workable. Thus, it is possible to overlay a wide range of colors to produce varying depths and vibrancy.

Therefore, you can create multiple layers to achieve darker tones or gradient colors. The colors are dye-based, allowing the colors to appear clean and smooth without any streaks.

Moreover, it is nice to know that the highly pigmented colors resist fading and can last for a long time. Hence, if you are a student or a professional illustrator who wants to preserve works for the long haul, these markers do not disappoint.

Let’s just say that these markers are a great alternative for Copics. I bet you can imagine how good these markers are. Although they are not refillable, you can tell right off their thick barrels that they hold more ink than typical marker designs.

I am not actually a fan of big or thick markers but these are an exception. Surprisingly, they are comfortable to hold and convenient to use. Plus, they come in a neat and organized case that secures the markers and keeps them travel-friendly.

The only downside is that some of the marker pens sometimes leak. One of them has a bad heavy flow that the ink just gushed out as soon as I opened it.

5. Arrtx ALP Drawing Illustration Markers

Don’t you just love pastel colors and purple tones? For an exclusive color selection between pinks and purples, I haven’t found anything better than these drawing markers from Arrtx.

First of all, this set features unique purple tones that are suitable for various illustrations. Although I typically use them to highlight starry skies or produce decorative ombre shades, this color range would also work great on fashionable clothing concepts.

I was initially worried about the selection of colors since they all fall under purple tones. Impressively, the markers have numeric codes at the bottom, allowing you to easily identify the colors and differentiate them.

Aside from that, the dual tips are probably among their best features. I really fancy dual-ended markers because they are more convenient to use. Just like these alcohol markers, one end has a broad chisel tip while the other has a fine tip.

This allows me to draw thick lines for full coverage or thin strokes for precise detailing and highlighting. In addition to its versatility, these markers dispense consistent ink flow that glides smoothly on paper. Plus, the high-quality ink provides vibrant yet soft colors that look quite pleasing to the eyes.

Since they are quick-drying, there’s no hassle layering or blending the colors. I notice that the ink does not bleed or smudge when blending them, which is why it is easier to overlay multiple colors to achieve various depths and shades.

The markers are easy to use, not to mention the ergonomic barrel designs for comfortable drawing or coloring. Therefore, both beginners and professionals can use these markers.

Before I forget, I really love the storage box design. The Creative Wonderful Box features a beveled design that makes the marker pens more accessible and safely stored. If you also want to give it as a present, the storage box and overall design will definitely come as a sweet treat!

Although everything seems to be on point, the color options can be a letdown for some users. Mind you, the shades are only within the violet spectrum. That’s why this set might not be the best choice if you are after a variety of colors.

6. Shuttle Alcohol Illustration Art Markers

These Shuttle Art illustration dual-ended markers feature slim and sleek bodies that remind me of Copic Sketch markers. The color names and number codes at the bottom as well as the elegant white barrels look similar, only these markers exhibit a unique triangular-shaped design.

Although these markers seem to be an innovative spin-off of that popular brand, these markers stand out on their own, particularly with their blendable premium quality ink.

Impressively, the inks allow smooth layering and blending without leaving any streaks or bleeding. Plus, all the colors look bright, sharp, and beautifully vibrant. Not to mention it includes 50 colors and 1 colorless blender.

They dry quickly, which is definitely an advantage if you want to mix the colors and create various depths and shades for an unlimited color palette. For illustrations that require gradient colors, I know these markers can do the job.

As mentioned, these markers feature dual tips that can produce thick and thin lines. The 1mm pointed bullet tip works great on intricate details while the 7mm tip is reliable for thick strokes, solid lines, and covering large areas.

Although I have already pointed out the barrel design, I want to emphasize its ergonomic triangular-shaped barrel.

At first, I thought the style and shape seemed odd and uncomfortable but as soon as I tried it, it was quite the opposite. It fits nicely and comfortably in the hand, allowing hassle-free coloring and sketching.

One more thing, these markers use non-toxic and acid-free ink; hence, they are safe for kids and young students. Meanwhile, the acid-free ink retains the quality of colors and prevents them from fading or turning yellow over time.

My only issue with this set is that some markers dry out too quickly after several uses. I am also not a fan of its unpleasant smell although it isn’t too strong.

7. SPREEY Sketch Alcohol Illustration Art Markers

When the budget is limited, one of the cheap finds I recommend is this 84-piece Spreey marker set. Aside from the affordable price, there are two things I love about this set: the markers are dual-ended and they provide excellent opacity.

For me, dual-ended designs make things a lot easier when coloring and drawing. Like what I have always talked about, having two different tip styles and sizes in one marker saves time and effort.

Imagine working on a particular color to elevate its depth or transition and you keep on changing the markers just to do so. So much hassle! And that is something I do not experience with dual-ended markers like these ones from Spreey.

The tips are a combination of a chisel tip and a fine bullet tip on the other end. Since the tips come in two different sizes and styles, I find them quite useful in producing multiple types of edges, line widths, and detailed strokes.

Therefore, for designers and illustrators who love working on complex or delicate details as well as laying down solid colors, I recommend going for these dual-tipped markers.

Secondly, the opacity of colors features superb quality that I didn’t expect from such low-cost markers. It is safe to say that the manufacturers didn’t skimp on quality, which is why the colors look incredibly vibrant. Not to mention that there are so many colors to indulge in!

Another feature I noticed is the fast-drying alcohol-based ink, which is an advantage in creating neat and smudge-free layers and combinations of colors. Thanks to the colorless blender included in the set, you can easily come up with gradient shades or multi-toned highlights.

The compact storage case is also a sweet addition. However, I must say that I am a little disappointed with the assortment of colors as some have duplicate ink colors. I am just a bit surprised that some colors on the caps don’t match the ink that they dispense.

8. Taotree Sketching Illustration Art Markers

My artistic heart always flutters whenever I come across a vast array of colorful markers, and these Taotree markers are definitely one of them. For a designer or an illustrator who loves working with pens and markers, this 101-piece set is an amazing steal.

Upon swatching the colors, the selection has a beautiful variation between different shades and tones, particularly the spectrum of red, green, and blue. But if you need neutral tones, grays, and blacks, you can find them all here.

Although the massive color selection seems to be the highlight of this set, it does not fail to impress in terms of quality and performance. All the colors are highly pigmented and even the lightest still has its distinct shade.

When working with paper, the ink flows smoothly without skipping or bleeding. It is nice to see the colors blend well even when I layer them multiple times, not to mention they dry quickly. Plus, it comes with a colorless blender that expands the shades and depths for an endless color palette!

Did I also mention that these markers are dual-ended? One end has a 1-2mm broad tip for full coverage while the other end has a 0.4mm bullet tip for precise detailing. Besides the convenient design, the fine and brush tips glide smoothly on paper.

There is no trouble finding the colors because they are color-coded. But I think it would be better if there were color labels.

Although these amazing features seem good to be true, they are not as good as Copics in terms of longevity and ink quality as some dry out after using them a couple of times. However, these are decent-quality markers that are ideal for beginners and young students.

9. Caliart Artist Drawing Markers

It is not easy to find waterproof permanent markers but in case you do, you will probably find these Caliart markers on the list.

Since their waterproof properties make them long-lasting, you can create various designs and concepts while preserving their quality for the longest time possible.

This set includes 40 vibrant colors that are smudge-proof, thereby allowing you to color or sketch drawings without any streaks and other messy ink blotches.

Aside from that, these markers also use alcohol-based ink, meaning they dry fast, which you can take advantage of to make layers of colors. It is also nice that they come with dual tips so you can produce various line styles and widths.

Like most dual-ended markers I have tried, these markers have a broad chisel that measures around 1-7mm, which is quite useful for solid lines, full coverage, and drawing thick lines.

The other end has a fine point that measures around 0.7mm, providing thin and very fine lines. If I were to use it, I think it would work great on precise details, minute decorations, and other intricate embellishments.

Moreover, the colors are systematically arranged by number codes, making it a lot easier to differentiate the colors and identify which ones have already been used. Besides that, the compact carry case provides neat and safe storage for the markers.

One thing I noticed is that the colors, even the light ones, seem darker than usual although they are incredibly pigmented. That is why I can’t tell the differences even when I blend them to create gradient tones.

They also bleed through paper. Therefore, if you do not fancy dark tones but muted tones, this set might not be the best pick.

10. Ohuhu Drawing Illustrations Art Markers

Playing and mixing colors allows you to achieve various depths and explore new shades. However, doing so can be a struggle sometimes. With this in mind, one of the marker brands I end up with is Ohuhu.

Known for their superior blendability, I know I can expect more with their marker pens like the ones from this 40-piece set. Formulated with alcohol-based ink, these markers render smooth strokes that allow blending and layering.

I love how the colors stay vibrant but slightly muted, making it swift and easy to overlay the colors to add depths and dimensions. However, some colors are heavier and darker. Nonetheless, the colorless alcohol marker blender makes this so much easier to do.

Designed with dual tips, you can quickly transition from broad to fine tips. My favorite is the chisel nib as you can use it to lay down lots of colors and cover large spaces. This tip alone is already versatile since you can switch to another angle to create crisp and sharp lines.

On the other hand, the fine tip works exceptionally on precise details and complex decoration, especially if you want to enhance the prints and patterns of your illustrations.

Although some may not appreciate it, the sleek and slim body contributes to its ergonomic design. Hence, the markers are easy and comfortable to hold, allowing hours or long periods of coloring or drawing without hurting your hand.

One more thing, the color-coded caps keep the markers neatly organized for hassle-free access and identifying the colors. Plus, the compact carry pouch is a nice addition whenever you want to take your markers with you when traveling. It can be a perfect gift idea, too!

My only issue is that the colors do not seem to be perfectly balanced. I mean the basic colors like yellow, red, blue, and green are present but I wish the varying shades were more cohesive.

For example, the next or closest color to yellow is neon green, then other unusual shades of orange and pink colors. Thus, the color selection makes it hard to match the coordinating colors for blending and layering.

It is also a bummer that some markers leak. That is why I know for sure it is important for these markers to be stored in an upright position.

What to Look For When Buying a Markers for Fashion Illustration

Color Options

Many fashion designers and illustrators pick out their color palette carefully to perfectly showcase their designs. The variety of vivid hues brings the clothing concepts to life; thus, this helps their clients envision the entirety of the design and range of style.

Therefore, the finest markers for fashion design depend on your color selection. Since they come in a wide range of colors, you can settle for at least 4 or 6 markers or have as many as 50, 60, 80, or even 100 colors. Some brands offer more than that.

Choosing a massive collection paves the way for creating an extensive array of new colors. You can mix and blend all the shades you want. However, some designers find this intimidating to work with, which is why they settle for fewer color options or particular color schemes.

While some brands offer a vast spectrum of colors, other brands limit their selection to specific color tones. Some marker sets focus on natural colors, shades of purple or blue, and many unique options.

Consider the Nib Styles and Sizes

Fascinating sketches and illustrations of clothing pieces are creative structures of broad and fine lines. That is why it is significant to consider markers with particular nib styles and sizes, especially if you need to highlight minute and delicate details or complex embellishments.

With this said, you can choose between broad chisel nibs or pointed bullet tips to execute your drawing layouts, prints, and patterns – or you can have both nib styles and sizes in one marker.

A lot of brands nowadays offer dual-ended markers (typically broad and fine nibs) so you can easily switch between nib types without having to change the markers you are using.

Check the Ink Quality and Versatility

The pigment quality, vibrance, and overall performance of a marker greatly depend on the type of ink. The best ones I have tried and tested are alcohol-based markers as they can provide vibrant and highly pigmented colors.

Since this type of ink is usually fast-drying, mixing colors without smudges, bleeding, or ink spills is achievable. However, results may still vary according to brand and ink quality.

Therefore, make sure you are investing in premium quality alcohol-based inks for excellent performance and results. This factor is imperative, especially if you need to layer and blend colors seamlessly.

Know Your Needs, Preferences, and Drawing Techniques

All art supplies for fashion designers will come down to personal preferences, needs, and drawing or sketching techniques. The same thing applies when searching for the best type, brand, or color selection of markers.

With that in mind, it is important to determine what you really need. Do you need replacements for your old markers or do you need new ones? Are you going to use it with other art media types? Do you prefer broad nibs, fine nibs, or both? How many colors do you need and which tones are you looking for?

These are some of the questions you can ponder over before making choices. But whatever brand or marker sets you opt for, the perfect markers are the ones that will meet your needs and standards.

Conclusion

Every artist or designer needs the best markers for fashion illustration to transform their creative concepts and ideas into visionary illustrations of fashionable pieces. That is why it is crucial to consider their ink quality, color selection, nib styles and sizes, and versatility.

Other than that, it is imperative to determine your preferences as well as coloring and drawing techniques to find the ultimate marker set. If the options in the market seem overwhelming, hope this detailed buying guide and roundup of reviews will narrow down your choices and help you find the markers you are looking for.