Copic

Copic is a line of professional markers developed by the Japanese company Too Corporation. The markers are alcohol-based and widely used in illustration, manga, fashion design, and other arts for their blendability, color range, and replaceable components.

They use dye-based alcohol inks that dry quickly and can be layered. The color system uses alphanumeric codes: a letter indicating hue family (for example R for red, B for blue, Y for yellow, G for green, and combinations such as BV for blue-violet) followed by two digits that indicate shade and lightness. This system enables color matching across marker lines and assists in color organization.

Main product lines include Sketch, Classic, Ciao, and Wide. Sketch is the most popular for illustration, featuring dual tips—a broad chisel or scoop tip and a flexible brush tip—for versatile line work. Classic is the older line with a broad nib and a fine nib. Ciao is a lower-cost option with a smaller body and simpler nibs. Wide provides a very broad nib for large areas and backgrounds. All lines share the same color catalog, and all markers are refillable with Copic re-inkers and have replaceable nibs.

Users often pair Copics with colorless blending agents and a range of paper types to achieve gradations and textures. The markers are designed for reuse, rather than disposable, making them a long-term tool for professional studios and individual artists.