A marker, marking pen, or felt-tip pen is a pen with a nib made from pressed fibres that draws ink from its own reservoir.
Anatomy of a Marker
1. Cap and end-cap
A marker’s cap and end-cap protects the ink from drying out.
For safety, children’s markers should have safety caps and secure end-caps. Safety caps are extra large caps or caps with vents or little holes that allow air to flow. In an unlikely case that a child accidentally swallows it, the ventilated cap will not completely block the airway, allowing the child to breath safely. Many companies do not pay attention to the safety of the end cap. A child should not be able to remove the end cap with their hands.
2. Nib
A nib or tip is made of porous, pressed fibres. Nibs are available in various shapes including:
• Broad nib
The broad nib is suitable for thick lines and shading.
• Medium nib
The medium nib is good for general drawing and colouring.
• Fine nib
The fine nib is ideal for precision, detailed drawing and writing.
• Cone nib 
The cone nib can be used for colouring as well as fine drawing. This nib is idea for creating interest and drama by applying various pressure and movement to create variations of lines. Using the larger cone nib on its side, the broken colour line is exaggerated and resembles other media like pastel.
This is a perfect nib for mark making exercises, especially when combined with superwashable ink as in Fibracolor Mega Color Makers. The Mega Markers can be used to create exciting watercolour effects.
• Chisel nib
The chisel nib is great for calligraphy and scrapbooking, or highlighting.
• Dual nibs
The dual-nib markers have a nib on each end with different sizes or shapes. Micador Duo Calligraphy Markers have 2mm and 3.5mm chisel nibs, while Fibracolor Perform Art Dual Tip Markers have a 0.8mm fine nib and a 4.1mm brush tip.
The brush tip in the dual nib markers is also an excellent tool to create dramatic effects by applying various pressure and movement. The tip is perfect for fashion drawing and design, especially when combined with washable ink as in the Fibracolor Perform Art Dual Markers. Both the fine nib and the brush tip feed from the same ink reservoir, ensuring colour consistency for small details as well as large design and drawing.
3. Barrel
A marker’s barrel or body is usually made from plastic. In our green eARTh collection of markers, the barrels contain a minimum of 15% recycled plastic and are 100% recyclable. The 12-pack green eARTh markers come in a 100% recyclable PP wallet. 
Barrels come in different sizes and shapes. The standard barrel diameter size is around 6 to 7mm.
• Chunky barrel
Children’s markers are designed with larger barrels since they are easier for little hands to use. Micador Marathon Markers are 15mm wide, while Fibracolor Mega Color Markers, the widest superwashable markers in the world, are about 19mm. We’ve also developed chunky grip markers for 2 to 4 year olds: early stART Chunky Markers and Chunky Stampers.
• Triangle barrel
Many children develop awkward grasp or tight gripping habits, which leads to poor fine motor skills and hinders proper handwriting later in life. The triangular-shaped barrel can encourage the correct tripod grip for young children.
The tripod grip is the frequently recommended grip where thumb, index and middle fingers form a tripod or triangle to perform well co-ordinated movements together. Fingers are relaxed and bent slightly with equal pressure between the thumb, the side of the middle finger and the tip of the index finger.
4. Ink and Reservoir
Different markers contain inks with different properties. Some are water-based and therefore are washable with water. Others are permanent, which stay on any surface indefinitely.
Types of Markers
• Colour markers
As the name indicates, colour makers come in various pre-mixed vibrant colours. Metallic markers contain colour with a metallic sheen, which looks great on dark paper.
• Non-permanent markers
Non-permanent or whiteboard markers use special erasable ink, which adheres to the writing surface without binding or being absorbed by it.
• Permanent markers
Permanent markers can write on any surface – paper, lino, vinyl, acetate, plastic, wood, metal and stone permanently.
• Highlighters
Highlighters are permanent markers in bright fluorescent colours, which are used to overlay existing writing while leaving it legible and emphasised.
• Stamp markers
Stamp markers have accurately cut icons, characters, or fun images on marker’s nib. They are great for creating borders, patterns, decorating for collage and scrapbooking, particularly exciting on coloured paper.
• Specialty markers
Specialty or novelty markers are fun and delightful media for all ages including white colour markers, which can be used to erase colours or create different colours, Scented Markers with yummy fruity scents, or T-shirt Markers that can draw on cotton fabric.
Besties are our most popular specialty markers, which are available in cute, funky character shapes in various collections including Fairytale, Dino, Jungle, Barnyard, Underwater, Pony, Puppy, Spooky and Pooch. They can be used as markers as well as toys, ideal for gift and collection.
About Micador Group’s Markers
We have a wide range of marker types with various nib and barrel choices to suit any ages, needs and applications. Our markers are designed with special features including:
• Safety caps and secured end caps
Child safety is paramount for us since we are parents too. All our children markers have safety caps and secured end caps.
• Washability
Apart from permanent markers which are obviously non-washable, other markers contain ink with various ranges of washability from washable, superwashable and superwashable plus. The more washable the ink, the easier and quicker the marks can be washed out. You can breathe easy when the little artists decide to use your white wall as their canvas. Our washable markers leave no permanent markings!
For artists, the ink washability of the markers can be experimented with water and brush to create exciting watercolour effects. Using watercolour paper, rather than standard paint paper, the washable markers can create surprisingly sophisticated artistic results.
• Large ink reservoir
We ensure that we make products that are good value for your money. Our markers have a long life due to their large ink reservoir. Micador Marathon Markers have a 5 gram ink reservoir, more than double standard markers.
• 8-week cap off
Don’t you hate it when you forgot and left the cap off to find your marker has already gone dry? With our specially designed ink, our Safety Markers won’t dry out even when the cap is left off for eight weeks in normal conditions.
• Sink proof nib
For children, markers are a tool as well as a toy. We make products that survive the real world’s test and will last even when the little one decides to use a marker as a drumstick.
The secret of the sink proof nib is actually inside the barrel, where specially designed teeth hold the nib tightly and securely in place. The nib itself is made from extra strong fibres that will not fray, push in or break.
The sink proof nib is not just for children. Our artists have experimented with sink proof nib markers with superwashable ink to create amazing effects on watercolour paper.