Earth Day, April 22, marks the anniversary of what many consider the birth of the modern environmental movement in 1970. To celebrate, the Copic team is sharing tips and tricks on our refillable markers and recyclable ink packaging.
Last summer, I had a student in one of my classes teach me something cool regarding refilling of my Copic markers. It’s so simple, but it’s made a big impact on the speed and efficiency of my marker refilling process. He described refilling at his home using… weights and measures! Ding! Ding! Ding… the flashing lights went off and the bells started ringing for me!
I purchased a small scale for $7.99, and it arrived one day later. It came with batteries and was easy to use, right out of the box. Hallelujah! Hallelujah! You can use any scale that measures to 1/10th gram weight. I had a small scale, but nothing that would weigh to the 1/10th gram.
The scale I have is now out of stock. This scale is very, very similar and should work well.
My first concern was weight of a brand new Sketch marker, and I concluded that a new Copic Sketch weighs 14.6 grams. This weight becomes my benchmark.
Now, instead of drip, drip, drip and test, I can have a feel before I start refilling how much ink I need to add, and then test for accuracy by weight. After several months of practice on classroom markers, I found that I’m actually going through the refill process less because I’m doing a better job by refilling completely by weight. Color me happy!
When I refill I remove the caps from each end of the marker. This helps the ink flow into the barrel as you pour, rather than bottle-necking in the top opening. Second, I remove the chisel nib and start to drip into the marker. A full marker without caps and a chisel nib will weigh about 9.3 grams.
So, drip…drip… from the Various Ink refill bottle
Check weight and done. The best part about this process… with exact weights, I can have someone else in my house help with the chores! (When I’m refilling classroom sets, I clean up the ends at the same time I am refilling.)
Here the weights I find most helpful:
- new, unopened Sketch marker weighs 14.6 grams
- full Sketch marker with both end caps and chisel nib removed weighs 9.3-9.5ish grams
Before using the weighing process, I would refill a marker and hope to fill enough without dripping ink out the bottom of my marker caused by overfilling. Now I have much less mess to contend with.
In celebration of Earth Day the Copic team has gotten together for a blog hop. Visit each person’s blog to learn personal tips and tricks for refilling and caring for your markers… and possibly some pretty eye candy along the way.
- Michele Boyer
- Lori Craig
- Sharon Harnist
- Cindy Lawrence
- Debbie Olson
- Colleen Schaan
- Sherrie Siemens
- Marianne Walker
- Copic Blog
Be sure to head on over to the Copic blog at the end and sign up to be entered in the Earth Week Giveaway! 5 lucky winners will each receive a 3-piece Blending Trio or Color Fusion set, one Various Ink refill, and a 5×7 sketchbook.
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