Product Review: Specialty Pens

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product review: specialty pens BY LORI FAIRBANKS

Looking for a pen that will write on acrylic, fabric, or metal accents? How about one that you can use to add an easy metallic border to a photo or journaling spot? Or perhaps even a pen set that will help you stamp an image in multiple colors? Consider a specialty pen! We reviewed seven great options. Check our finds to see which one is right for you.

American Crafts’ Stamp Markers

Bic’s Mark-It Color Collection, Ultra Fine Point

Elmer’s Painters Paint Markers

americancrafts.com

bicmarkit.com

elmers.com

Fade-Resistant

Yes

Yes

Yes

Permanent

Permanent on paper

Yes

Yes

MSRP

$2.69 each

$20.99 for 36

$17.07 for 5

Surface Type

Paper

Coated papers, photos, plastic,

Paper, plastic, clay, fabric, metal,

metal, wood, and glass. Not

glass, foam, and wood.

recommended for fabric. Special Features

Dries quickly on paper but stays

Use with an alcohol blending solu-

Acrylic, opaque finish; also avail-

wet a little longer on stamps.

tion to blend or lighten colors.

able in metallic, neon, and pearl-

Dual-tipped with a brush for

escent colors. Pens tend to be a

large surfaces and a medium tip

bit messy, keep scratch paper on

for journaling. Pens are reliable

hand to clean tip.

and non-bleeding. Try it!

Apply multiple ink colors to a

Write on metal.

Write on fabric.

stamp to create a multicolored, stamped image.

Septem ber 2010

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CR EATI NG KEEP SAKE S

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ck | product review Faber-Castell’s Pitt Artist Pens

Krylon’s Short Cuts Paint Pens

fabercastell.com

krylon.com

Fade-Resistant

Yes

Yes

Permanent

Yes

Yes

MSRP

$10.95 for 4

$2.99–3.99 each

Surface Type

Paper, coated paper, inkjet transparencies, fabric,

Wood, metal, wicker, plastic, glass, craft foam,

plastic, wood, metal, and stone. Pens are espe-

plaster, ceramic, fabric, paper, paper mache, and

cially nice for scrapbooking and card making.

silk flowers.

Available in 60 colors including gold and silver. Special Features

Pigmented India Ink is odorless, waterproof, and

These smooth-flowing paint pens write on almost

smudgeproof when dry.

any surface. The chiseled tip draws both thick and thin lines. Pens coordinate perfectly with Krylon’s Short Cuts Aerosol and Brush On Paints.

Try it!

Write on plastic.

Ink the edges of acrylic accents, photos, flowers, and chipboard letters.

Sakura’s Glaze

Sakura’s Soufflé

sakuraofamerica.com

sakuraofamerica.com

Fade-Resistant

No, this ink is for craft projects.

No; this ink is for craft projects.

Permanent

No; ink can be crushed or chipped off of surfaces.

No, ink can be crushed or chipped off of surfaces.

It can also be cleaned off of certain surfaces using

It can also be cleaned off of certain surfaces using

alcohol-based cleaners.

alcohol-based cleaners

MSRP

$22.50 for 10

$22.50 for 10

Surface Type

Non-porous, clean, and smooth surfaces such as

Non-porous, clean, and smooth surfaces such as

coated paper, acetate, vellum, plastic, glass, and

coated paper, acetate, vellum, plastic, glass, and

metal. Works best on light-colored surfaces.

metal. Dark surfaces show off Soufflé’s ink the best.

3-D ink dries to a translucent, glossy finish with a

3-D ink dries to an opaque, matte finish with a raised

raised surface. Allow for extra drying time.

surface. Write slowly for best results and allow for

Special Features

extra drying time. Try it!

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Write on glossy paper.

C R E A T ING K E E P S AK E S

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S ep temb er 2 0 10

Write on dark-colored cardstock. ck


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