Posca is a popular water-based marker brand with products of very high quality. As such, it is well-loved by many people. Regardless of whether you are a beginner or professional, hobbyist or artist, you can use Posca markers well.
If you have never used them before and are doing research to see if they are worth getting, one question you would want to be answered is, “How long do Posca pens last?”
The good news is that they do last LONG. After opening, you can use Posca pens for up to two years. But the actual duration depends on a variety of factors. Continue reading to explore them in detail.
Table of Contents
How Long Posca Pens Last
- If unopened: There is no specific timeframe disclosed. But we reckon it will last just as long as its average life after being opened, which is up to 2 years.
- With regular use: Over 6 weeks
- After being opened: Up to 2 years
Factors That Affect the Service Life of a Posca Pens
1. The Amount of Ink Inside
Each type of Posca pen has a distinct level of ink content, which corresponds with the barrel size. The brand has eight types in its product portfolio:
- PC – 1MR (0.7mm)
- PC – 1MC (0.7 to 1mm)
- PC – 3M (0.9 to 1.3mm)
- PC – 5M (1.8 to 2.5mm)
- PC – 7M (4.5 to 5mm)
- PC – 8K (8mm)
- PC – 17K (15mm)
- PC – 350 (1 to 10mm)
These all have their own barrel size. The larger the barrel size, the more ink is inside. Hence, the larger the barrel size, the longer the pen will last.
Of the eight types, the PC – 5M, PC – 7M, PC – 8K, and PC – 17K will last longer.
2. The Usage Frequency
The more you use your pen, the quicker it will run out of ink. This can be influenced by the size of your art project and how much time you spend on it.
However, the good thing about Posca pens is that they are extremely pigmented. They will not require many coats to fill an area. By the same token, they can offset the size and time factors previously mentioned.
Some other aspects that might influence the usage frequency are whether you are a beginner or a professional and a hobbyist or an artist.
3. The Surface You Working On
Where you use the Posca pens also plays a role in how long they last.
- Paper: Thin and soft paper absorbs ink better. So, your pen might not last as long as it would if it were used on thick and hard paper.
- Fabrics & Textiles: You lose more ink to fabrics than paper. Regardless of the type of fabric and textile, the material draws ink better than paper. So, your Poscas will only last for a short time if you use them on fabrics and textiles.
Tips to Make Posca Pens Last Longer
There are three things to keep in mind in order to lengthen the lives of Posca pens:
- Store Posca pens in a dry and cool place. Keep them away from direct sunlight exposure and high humidity or moisture.
- Never leave Posca pens uncapped. Whenever the pen is not in your hands, it should have its cap on.
- Store Posca brush pens in a horizontal position. You can keep them in a rack organizer or case.
If you want to keep what you have laid down with Posca pens for a long time, you can take sealing measures:
- Apply two thin layers of water-based varnish at about a 30-cm distance for Posca pens on canvas, glass, ceramic, plastic, wood, and metal.
- Bake Posca pens on ceramic and porcelain in an oven with heat between 160 degrees and 220 degrees.
- Go over Posca-inked textiles and fabrics with an iron. Make sure you also enlist the help of grease paper.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Do POSCA pens dry out fast?
Thanks to the fact that these pens’ inks reside in the barrel and not the nib, Poscas do not dry out quickly. As mentioned above, they can last up to 2 years after being opened.
How long do Posca pens take to dry?
Posca pens have quick-drying ink. The duration can be between 2 and 20 minutes, depending on how thick it is applied. These pens will dry faster on porous surfaces.
Can you refill Posca pens? If yes, how?
Unfortunately, you cannot refill Posca pens. They are designed for this. However, you can try a few different things to revive them when they appear to be dried out. You can:
- Cap the pen tightly, then give it a few strong shakes. You should hear the balls inside of it rattle. After shaking, press the tip on a piece of paper to saturate it with ink.
- Remove the tip with the help of a pair of tweezers, then dip the detached tip into water.
- If the tip cannot be removed, dunk it directly in water.
Are Posca pens waterproof?
Posca pens become waterproof when they dry. You do not need to coat it with a fixative if you are working on porous materials.
For non-porous materials, however, it is best to take sealing measures.
Are Posca pens permanent on fabric?
No, they are not. You can wash Posca pens off of fabric. If you want to make them permanent on fabric, you can apply heat with an iron. For fabric items that cannot be ironed, you can consider using a hot blow dryer.
Posca pen not working! What should I do?
Sometimes, the ink can pool in the tip and get clogged.
To troubleshoot this, follow the steps below:
- Hold the pen vertically with the tip facing down.
- Detach the tip and cap with a pair of tweezers.
- Soak the detached tip and cap in water to clean them.
- Dry them both after cleaning. Use some paper towels for this.
- Reassemble the tip and cap.
- Test the pen on a piece of scrap paper. See if you can get the ink flowing again.
How to store Posca pens?
You can store Posca pens horizontally or vertically. Just make sure you have the cap fixed tightly. However, it is best to lay Poscas with brush tips flat on their sides.
Conclusion
Now, you know the complete answer to, “How long do Posca pens last?” These high-quality tools will not dry out quickly, and they are richly saturated to ensure that you do not need to use too much ink. Therefore, they are well worth their price.
Hopefully, the information from this blog post has helped you decide if you should purchase Posca pens for yourself. If you already own them, you can also benefit from the tips and tricks we provided.
If you still have any questions, please leave them in the comments. We always welcome our readers, so do not hesitate to reach out to us!
Read more: Cost of Posca pens.
Hi, I am Eveline Kessler, a content creator. My love for colors and arts draws me here to join the Intermediarts team with Leilani. I am responsible for testing new products and techniques with her and providing honest reviews and tips based on our experience. I have gained a lot of knowledge from this, and I believe you will find her suggestions to be invaluable as well.
