by Calligraphy markers are becoming more popular among those practicing this ancient art. Chisel-tip markers function similarly to fountain pens, with the same type of movements needed for thin and thick strokes. Brush-tip markers, with their paintbrush effects, are also indispensable tools in hand lettering and make wonderfully expressive text. Since markers are usually less expensive than traditional tools and can be found in just about any color, it’s no surprise that calligraphers keep them on hand. To help you find a marker with quality ink, colors you like, and a tip that won’t shred, I have assembled the best calligraphy markers for beginners and professionals below.
Best Calligraphy Markers for Beginners
| Rank | Brand Name | Image | Rating | Price |
| 1 | Tombow Pen Dual Brush Markers |   |
9.6 | View on Amazon |
| 2 | Ohuhu Dual Tips Coloring Brush Marker |   |
9.3 | View on Amazon |
| 3 | Kuretake Zig MS34008V Memory System Calligraphy Markers |  |
9.5 | View on Amazon |
| 4 | Aen Art 60 Colors Dual Tip Brush Pens Calligraphy Art Marker |  |
9.3 | View on Amazon |
| 5 | Artbrush Tower Metallic Calligraphy Brush Marker Pens |  |
9.0 | View on Amazon |
| 6 | Profolio by Itoya Double Header Calligraphy Marker |  |
9.2 | View on Amazon |
1. Tombow Pen Dual Brush Markers
You would think that the right markers for calligraphy should be expensive but that’s not actually the case with these markers. They are inexpensive but they are still good enough to help you do calligraphy seamlessly.
This Tombow dual brush pen is reliable. One is a brush tip and the other is a fine tip. I prefer using the brush tips for calligraphy but the fine tips are great for smaller letterings and adding more details to my calligraphy work.
These are felt-tip calligraphy pens, so the brush tip isn’t really going to give you the exact same quality that calligraphy pens will give. If you are used to the fibers of a brush pen or a paintbrush, you might be disappointed with these.
I also think it’s harder to achieve thin strokes with these markers because the brush nib is more flexible. Beginners might need to practice more when using these.
I wasn’t disappointed with the colors though. They included mostly primary colors but I like how vivid all of them are. They are also easy to blend. In fact, their blending properties are similar to that of more expensive brands. I still have plenty of time to spread out the colors or thin it out to my desired hue.
The ink quality is good. It seems to dispense just the right amount of ink each time, so you don’t have to deal with a big glob of ink. A little bit of it goes a long way.
The tips are not as durable as I would have liked. Some of the markers tend to fray. However, I like that it has a self-cleaning feature. The ink doesn’t clump up on the tips. You just need to avoid putting too much pressure when using it and just let the brush tips glide on the surface.
2. Ohuhu Dual Tips Coloring Brush Marker
This can be considered the favorite calligraphy set for beginners because of its selection of colors. If you want to have a lot of color options instantly, get this one. It’s affordable and comes with colors that you can use not just in calligraphy but also in drawing and coloring. This has 36 different colors and each marker comes with dual tips.
I have no problems with how vibrant these markers are. They are all colorful and they stay vivid. They can bleed through the paper though, so make sure you use thicker paper. It’s not that bad but if you prefer that the back portion of your paper stays clean, you will have to use something thicker.
These markers come with a brush tip and fine liner tip. The brush tip can be dipped in water to get that watercolor effect. I like to do this when coloring or filling in letterings but this can be just as easily used if you are doing calligraphy work. I just have to lament the lack of neutrals in this set. I wish there were more light and flesh tones. However, if you prefer rainbow colors, you will like this set.
The firmness of the tips tends to vary, which might be a disadvantage to some people. I think they are flexible enough but others might be firmer than the rest. The firmer brush tips are more difficult to use since you still have to push down harder on paper to get your desired results. Additionally, the firmer ones have a tendency to fray since you are pushing down on it more.
3. Kuretake Zig MS34008V Memory System Calligraphy Markers
These markers are just as good as professional calligraphy pens. The traditional pens for calligraphy markers have a tendency to smear. These ones don’t, which is why they are such a joy to use, especially if you just need to do quick letterings. They are easy to use even for beginners.
This set is a good basic set, ideal for beginners. They come with only basic colors but all of them are pigmented and vivid. These are dual tip markers. One side is a narrow tip and the other is a broad tip. It will allow you to get your preferred lettering size.
Although it seems like a basic set, it actually offers a lot of things. First, the ink stays vivid for a long time. Some markers tend to fade after some time. This one doesn’t. This is why you can use these markers for doing letterings that you can frame to display in your home. If you own a calligraphy business, you will also appreciate the quality of the ink of these markers.
These markers are also smudge-proof. I like that the ink dries up well and doesn’t smudge and leave traces behind. The nibs are durable. Even after regular use, they are still intact. They are made from felt and I can say that they are quite well-made seeing as how they have resisted wear and tear.
The nibs are also bigger and wider than other markers. The wider tips are 5mm and the smaller ones are 2mm. I find these nibs easier to maneuver compared to brush tips. If you are a beginner, you might find these markers easier to use. However, some people might find it too stiff. If you are used to more flexible nibs such as brush tips, you might find them too stiff for you.
4. Aen Art 60 Colors Dual Tip Brush Pens Calligraphy Art Marker
The color selection in this marker set caught my attention. If you like copic calligraphy markers, these are very similar to them, especially the outside appearance. It also doesn’t disappoint when it comes to other aspects such as ink quality and performance.
I like the vividness of these markers. They are bold and pigmented. You can water them down a little bit to lighten it up but the ink still remains vibrant and noticeable. A little bit goes a long way. All you need to do is blend it to even it out. It lays down smoothly. I don’t find it blotchy. It’s really a pleasant experience because the ink just settles smoothly without smudging. There’s not a lot of friction as well with the nibs. The brush tips just glide smoothly on paper.
I just wish the color representation was more accurate. It’s a lot darker than what is depicted on the color caps. You will have to test it out on a piece of paper to see if it’s the shade you prefer. I would suggest doing a color swatch on paper and labeling them. Refer to that whenever you are deciding what color to use. It’s a good thing though that these markers retain their colors for a long time. They don’t fade over time even when exposed to air.
All 60 markers fit in its cylindrical case. It’s very easy to stay organized. I also like that you can see the color of the caps immediately, so you can pull out the color that you want without taking out all of the markers. I can also stash the cylindrical case easily in my bag.
5. Artbrush Tower Metallic Calligraphy Brush Marker Pens
It’s nice to have some metallic markers in your arsenal. The metallic sheen of these markers will make cards look more special. You can also use them to write calligraphy for wedding invitations or wedding entrance signages. They make things look more luxurious.
This marker set is a good choice if you only use metallic markers occasionally. It’s inexpensive and you get 10 markers consisting of some basic metallic colors. It also includes a white color that looks transparent at first but dulls out to an opaque color. I think this would look pretty against a black surface.
The ink is very rich and pigmented, although I do find some colors darker than I expected them to be. Also, the two green colors too closely resemble each other that you will have a hard time figuring out which is which. I would have preferred something that is a different shade.
The brush nibs are long and provide good coverage. I find it easier to create the strokes I want because the nibs are soft and flexible. They also stay intake and don’t fray easily even when used on rough surfaces. However, I would suggest not putting too much pressure when using them so that the nibs won’t get damaged easily.
6. Profolio by Itoya Double Header Calligraphy Marker
Are you looking for large calligraphy markers? Set your sights on these. They are thicker than your average marker. Some people find this easier to hold, especially if you have young budding calligraphists. If you are teaching to younger kids, this would be a good marker set to give them.
It comes with basic colors. You can add a few more colors later but for those just starting to buy calligraphy markers, this should be a good starting point. I like that the barrel is black. This makes it easier to keep it neat. It also comes with a clip, so that the marker doesn’t roll off the table easily.
These markers also feature double tips. However, it doesn’t come with a brush tip. It only has two chisel tips. One tip is thicker and the other is better for thinner lines. If you prefer working with a brush tip, you might not like these markers. However, a chisel tip is also great for doing calligraphy. It might even be easier to use if you are a beginner. It allows you to create bold lines and switch to thin lines easily. This smooth transition can’t be easily learned when using a brush.
I like how safe these markers are to use. Because the ink is non-toxic and it is also devoid of acids, I can share them with younger kids because the ink is non-toxic.
The ink lays down smoothly on paper and is very pigmented. Aside from paper, this also works on other mediums such as metal, wood, plastic and stone. It’s a very versatile kind of marker. If you run a calligraphy business, you might find these markers a great addition to your tools because it works on various surfaces.
