What Is The Difference Between Acrylic Markers And Paint Markers?

Acrylic and paint markers have significant differences in composition, physico-chemical properties, application scenarios and user experience. The specific analysis is as follows:
1.Composition and Structure: Chemical Basis Determines Characteristics
Acrylic markers
Pigment type: acrylic polymer is used as a dispersion medium and pigment particles are suspended in an aqueous or alcoholic solvent.
Tip design: Mostly fiber nibs or sponge nibs, which controls the flow of ink through capillary action. Some models support nib replacement (such as Molotow ONE4ALL series).
Environmental protection: meets safety standards such as ASTM D-4236 and EN-71, is non-toxic and tasteless and suitable for children.
Paint markers
Pigment type: Membrane-forming material is oil resin (e.g. nitrocellulose, acrylic resin), pigment dissolved in organic solvents (e.g. toluene, xylene).
Tip design: Usually with a metal or hard plastic tip, there is a steel ball inside to prevent ink from congealing, and the pen needs to be shaken to blend the ink together.
Eco-friendly: Some products contain volatile organic compounds and need to be used in an airy environment.
2.Physical and chemical properties: performance differences directly affect use
Water and weather resistance
Acrylic markers: Water-based models are less water resistance, but can be improved by baking (such as ceramic and glass surfaces) or adding sealants; generally light resistant and prone to fading after prolonged exposure to the outdoors.
Paint marker: after the formation of oil film, water, acid and alkali resistance. Some products,such as those containing UV absorbers, are light resistant and suitable for long-term use outdoors.
Drying time and adhesion
Acrylic markers: Dry quickly (about 5-10 minutes), but on porous surfaces (such as unpainted wood), multiple uses are needed to improve adhesion.
3. Paint marking: drying time is short (about 1-3 minutes), film formation adhesion is extremely strong, can form in metal, plastic and other smooth surface lasting marking.
Cleaning and retrofitting
Acrylic markers: water-based models can be washed with warm water, some oil-based models need to be rubbed with alcohol, can be modified when not dry, and need to be protected with sealant after drying.
Paint marking: After drying, organic solvents (e.g. gasoline, industrial alcohol) need to be used to remove, modification is difficult.
III. Application scenarios: Function-Oriented Tool Selection
Applicable fields of Acrylic Marking
Art: Painting on surfaces such as paper, canvas and stone to support overlapping and mixing effects (such as Molotow ONE4ALL series for glass painting).
DIY Crafts: Customized patterns on fabrics, leather and ceramics, waterproof and machine-washable after drying (fixative treatment required).
Children's education: non-toxic formula for kindergarten collective creation, easy to wash pigments, reduce the cost of care.
Areas of application of paint markers
Industrial marking: Marking of models and lot numbers on metal parts and plastics that are abrasive and do not fade easily.
Auto repair: Repair of tyre and body scratches with a high colour scheme (brands such as Kajiayi and Dianbin provide accurate car paint color numbers).
Outdoor decor: Drawing patterns glass and rock, long displayed, weather-resistant over acrylic paint.
4. User experience: operational details affect efficiency.
Acrylic marker
Strengths: Controlled nib fineness (e.g., 0.7mm-15mm double-head design), suitable for detailing, water-based styling with no pungent odour, comfortable use.
Limitations: Apply multiple times to a smooth surface,such as glass, to avoid flaking; primer to a dark base to enhance color rendering.
Paint markers
Pros: Clean brush strokes, stable output (such as the tip material in the TANOSEE paint pen evaluation received positive reviews), oily ink has a strong covering power the base color with a single layer of application.
Limitations: The pen needs to be shaken and released before use, which is a bit complicated to operate, and the ink tends to clog up when it dries, requiring regular cleaning.
V. Comparison of typical cases
Scenario Acrylic marker solution Paint marker solution
Glass lacquer can be painted directly with a homemade Use TANOSEE paint pen and is water resistance
Car tire repair Not applicable (poor oil resistance) Use Dotbin paint pen repair, temperature resistance, not easy to shed
Children's handicraft class created with 24-color water-based acrylic pen and are safe and easy to clean (solvent contained, adult supervision required)
Metal parts marking requires multiple brushes to enhance adhesion. Brush a single layer to make the marking durable and clear