PAINT, COLOUR, DRAW, WRITE, DECORATE, MARK.
POSCA MARKER quick tips how to work on different surfaces
POSCA MARKER quick tips how to work on different surfaces
Paper/Card: No action needed – POSCA pigment will be absorbed into the fibres, making it permanent.
Terracotta: Bake in the oven at 220°C for 45 minutes, then spray with clear varnish.
Textiles: Iron on the reverse side.
Porcelain: Bake in oven at 160°C for 45 minutes, optionally spray with clear varnish.
Metal: Spray with clear varnish.
Glass: Bake in oven at 160°C for 45 minutes, then spray with clear varnish.
Wood: Spray with clear varnish.
Plastic: Spray with clear varnish.
POSCA MARKERS on various materials
Results from testing various materials with Posca Markers – click on the below image to view/download the pdf
POSCA FAQ’s
HOW TO PRIME POSCA?
Shake the marker vigorously with the cap securely attached in order to move the ball inside the barrel. On a test sheet, press the tip down several times to start the paint flowing. Replace the cap tightly after use.
HOW TO USE POSCA BRUSH?
Shake the marker vigorously with the cap securely attached in order to move the ball inside the barrel. To use the marker, remove the cap and the protection on the push button. Press and hold the push button to start the paint flowing. Replace the cap tight after use.
Another tip: You do not need to press the push button for too long and only once the cap has been removed.
WHY SHOULD I TEST POSCA BEFORE USE?
Paint flow is controlled by a valve and a piston mechanism. To regulate and optimize the flow, try on a piece of paper before use.
Another tip: Keep the scrap paper in case you need to prime POSCA again.
IS POSCA’S PAINT PERMANENT?
POSCAs are water-based pigment paint markers which can write on any surface. Paint is permanent on porous surfaces, and removable on non-porous surfaces such as glass.
Another tip: We have tested POSCA’s resistance on more than fifty materials. For further information, click on “materials”.
CAN CHILDREN USE POSCA?
POSCAs are water-based markers. They are odourless and totally safe for children to use. However, as they are quite technical, we recommend them for children over 5 years old.
Another tip: If you have lost the cap and the tip is dry, you can still soak the tip once again (See ‘What should I do when the tip has dried?’).
CAN I USE POSCA AS MAKE-UP?
POSCA can easily be cleaned off the skin and is non-toxic. However, it is not a cosmetic and has not been tested against cosmetic or dermatology standards. The manufacturer will therefore not be responsible for possible reactions on the skin if used incorrectly.
Another tip: The paint can easily be removed with soap and water if it comes into contact with skin.
IS POSCA TOXIC?
POSCA’s paint is water-based, without solvent and odourless.
In fact, beekeepers use it to identify the queen in beehives! A colour corresponds to each year which enables them to determine the insect’s age.
IS POSCA REFILLABLE?
You cannot refill POSCA. Some users do reuse paint from one marker to another, in particular to mix colours. Mitsubishi Pencil Company has however not designed it for that use.
Another tip: See also “how to mix colours?”.
WHAT IS THE DRYING TIME?
The drying time is extremely quick. Generally, the paint dries quicker on porous surfaces than on smooth ones. In any case, wait a few minutes and the paint will be dry.
WHAT SHOULD I DO TO MAKE THE COLOUR PERMANENT?
POSCA’s paint is permanent on porous surfaces. You can further optimize its adherence by following one of the next three steps: apply a varnish (see the workshop with salt dough magnets), bake in the oven (ceramic…) or iron (see the ecological bag workshop).
Another tip: For further information, see ‘materials’.
HOW TO STORE YOUR MAKERS?
POSCAs can be stored horizontally or vertically. However, it is preferable to store POSCA brush horizontally. The ball inside the barrel enables paint to flow at any time. The paint being perfectly preserved in the barrel.
DO I NEED SOME SPECIFIC MATERIAL TO USE POSCA?
You do not need material such as a brush, a cloth nor water: POSCAs enable you to paint neatly and accurately. You do not need any additional materials.
WHAT SHOULD I DO WHEN THE TIP HAS DRIED?
Don’t panic if you have lost the cap and the tip has completely dried. Thanks to the piston and valve mechanism, you can flow paint once again by priming the POSCA marker again.
Another tip: In case the tip is extremely dry, you can take it out simply by pulling and rinse it with water.
ARE TIPS REPLACEABLE?
The tips of the following references can be replaced when dirty or worn: POSCA PC-1M, PC-3M, PC-5M, PC-8K and PC-17K.
Another tip: For the above references, tips are also reversible.
IS POSCA RECOMMENDED FOR CREATIVE WORKSHOPS WITH CHILDREN?
POSCA stimulates children’s creativity. With these fun and handy markers, they can finally play with paint without getting dirty. POSCA is often used in activity centres.
Another tip: There are plenty of games you can make using POSCAs and recycled items (yoghurt pots, terracotta pots, cardboard, wood…).
HOW TO AVOID BLEEDING?
The valve and piston mechanism prevents bleeding. To control the flow, press the tip down on scrap paper when priming POSCA.
HOW TO CORRECT A MISTAKE?
If you have missed a line or got the wrong colour: overlay! With POSCA, you can overlay colours as many times as you wish.
Another tip: Wait until the first layer has dried before applying another one.
WHAT ARE POSCA’S PAINT CHARACTERISTICS?
The paint is both opaque and fluid, smooth and dense with a wide coverage. It can be mixed, diluted and overlaid. The rendering is similar to that of acrylic.
HOW TO MIX COLOURS?
You can mix colours directly onto the surface as long as the paint is wet.
Another tip: You can clean the tip, turn it over or replace it if the reference allows it.
HOW TO OVERLAY COLOURS?
Opaque and dense, POSCA’s paint is ideal to overlay colours ! As the paint dries quickly, you can cover a layer by another one within a minute and without smudges.
Another tip: Light colours can perfectly overlay with dark ones.
WHAT DOES ‘WATERCOLOUR’ MEAN? HOW CAN I GET THIS EFFECT?
POSCA’s paint can be diluted to create a gradation effect: that is ‘watercolour’. It has to be performed before the paint dries.
Another tip: You can use a brush soaked in water to work directly with the paint.
HOW CAN I DILUTE PAINT ONCE IT HAS DRIED?
Once the paint has dried… It is too late to dilute it but you can still overlay colours!
WHICH POSCA IS IDEAL FOR FLAT TINTS?
POSCAs are often used for flat tints because of their wide coverage. Choose the following tips in accordance with the surface to paint: POSCA PC-5M, PC-8K and PC-17K for respectively medium (2,5 mm), broad (8 mm) and extra-broad lines (15 mm).
Another tip: On smooth or transparent surfaces, make small circular and regular movements to achieve a neat result.
WHAT IS POSCA’S IDEAL TIP SIZE TO DRAW NEAT OUTLINES?
For lines and outlines, you can use our references with the finest tips. We suggest you to use POSCA PC-1MR, PC-1M and PC-3M for extra-fine (1mm) and fine lines (1,5 mm).
HOW TO REMOVE POSCA FROM GLASS?
On glass, you can clean off POSCA with a damp cloth. It is even easier with hot water and soap!
Another tip: You can also use a window cleaning detergent.
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