Copic Storage and Tips
Many of you have asked me how I store my Copic Sketch markers. I thought I’d take some time and show you how I store them, as well as how I use them.
I prefer to store my markers in the clear plastic storage cases, which I got directly from Copic. I have 2 of the 72 marker cases, so that I have room to expand my collection. (Note: the markers I have are primarily the colors chosen by Ellen Hutson, plus a few random colors.) Here’s what they look like, laying on their sides:
I don’t store mine on the side, though. I just leave them standing upright like this:
I have the markers sorted properly according to the number system. Here’s how the system works:
- Letters denote color family. BV(blue violet), V(violet), RV(red violet), R(red), YR(yellow red), Y(yellow), YG(yellow green), G(green), BG(blue green), B(blue), E(earth), C(cool gray), N(neutral gray), T(toner gray), W(warm gray)
- First number denotes color number group
- Second number denotes color brightness within the color group.
So what does all that mean?
- Colors that start with lower numbers (0, 1, 2) will be more vibrant than colors that start with higher numbers (7, 8, 9) which will be more dull or “gray”.
- In addition, colors that end in lower numbers (0, 1, 2) will be lighter (more pale) than colors that end in (7, 8, 9) which will be deeper.
So, once I sorted my markers in their cases, I created a grid in MS Word, and printed it on a piece of PaperTrey Stampers Select cardstock. I labeled each box with my black Copic Multiliner pen, then used the chisel tip of the marker, and placed a line of color in each box. I constantly use this grid when I am coloring. It makes it very easy to choose the right color, and allows me to lay patterned paper and cardstock over it to get the closest match. Here’s what my grid looks like:
To further explain, lets look at my color chart above. Scan down to the “V” (violet) section. Look at the 3 colors of V12, V15, V17. You can clearly see that they are all within the same vibrancy family of 1. As the second number increases from 2 to 7, you can see that the color gets deeper. These three colors would allow me to create very easy shading.
Now, lets look at the next color of V93. Can you see how gray that violet looks (first number of 9) compared to the 1’s? And the second number is 3, which shows that it’s fairly light in color intensity on the scale of 0 to 9.
I hope this helps you to understand your Copics a little better! Thanks for stopping by! 
Edited to answer questions:
- I got the clear 72 marker cases directly from Copic. I think you might be able to get them from Eclectic Paperie, too?
- You do not have to store your Copics on their side. The ink inside the barrel flows freely from one end to the other, and the tip acts as a “wick”. The ends will not “dry out”.
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Comments
Thank you Trudee for this explanation. I never knew this. I think I am headed off to make a grid. That makes so much more sense than grabbing a bunch of markers and making a bunch of lines every time you go to use them.
Posted by: Laurie | February 17th, 2008 17:12
Great information, Trudee! Thanks so much….and I LOVE your new banner! Gorgeous!
Posted by: diane mcvey | February 17th, 2008 17:13
This is so concise and clearly written. Even a non-Copic user like me could follow. Your grid system is one every user should make for herself. Better yet - the company should invest in something like this so one could build her set a little at a time. Perhaps they already have something - but this would be such a great user’s tool.
Posted by: twinks | February 17th, 2008 17:15
Thanks, Trudee! I knew what all of the numbers meant on the Copics, but this is a great visual, and it’s very helpful to see it all laid out like this. I’d like to make one for my small collection. It will also help me see where I need to fill in colors.
Thanks for sharing your system!
Posted by: Paula | February 17th, 2008 17:35
Thanks so much! I printed this out and I’m doing to do the same thing. I also don’t have as many colors as you and have been slowly adding to my collection. It helps to see what you are using!
Posted by: Cori | February 17th, 2008 17:45
Wow! I am totally jealous and have Copic envy! LOL You are super organized –love how you have done this!
Posted by: KathyC | February 17th, 2008 17:51
Trudee, get out!!!! OMG, that is SO cool that we both posted our color grids TODAY and that we use a similar system!! Great minds think alike, huh? LOL!!
Posted by: Mish | February 17th, 2008 17:57
Thanks for this valuable information.
Posted by: Linda C. | February 17th, 2008 18:03
Oh goodness sakes! THANK YOU! I have the 72 marker pack set A and just love, love, love them. I usually just try to pull out colors that I think go well together. I am going to rearrange them tonight! Could you share which two 72 packs you have? I am trying to save up for another set.
Posted by: Kristy | February 17th, 2008 18:46
Sorry if you’ve answered this before, but which Copics did you buy? Sketch? Ciao? Help?
nancy.elrick@gmail.com
Posted by: Nancy E | February 17th, 2008 18:59
Oh such pretties- thanks for the tips. I got something similar to your grid earlier this weekend - can’t remember where. I love my Copics. I don’t have nearly as many as you do, you lucky girl!!
Posted by: Sue B | February 17th, 2008 19:06
I had always wondered about those numbers! Now it makes sense! What a great tip!!
Posted by: Elaine | February 17th, 2008 19:34
Thanks so much for this valuable tip. Guess I’m going to have to invest in more organization time for my Copics! This system of yours really helps me out!!
Posted by: Angi | February 17th, 2008 19:40
Awesome Grid. Wish I were that organized! LOL!
Posted by: jacksonbelle | February 17th, 2008 19:53
That sheet is BRILLANT Trudee! I am sooooo going to make one of those.
Posted by: Alli Miles | February 17th, 2008 19:57
Where can I buy the markers storage cases? Thanks, Beverly
Posted by: Beverlita | February 17th, 2008 20:27
Trudee, this is a wonderful system you are using. THanks for explaining everything as I learned alot. I have just bought mine from HL, and few places online and I do not have nearly as many as you, but I do a nice collection. One question for you, I thought you were suppose to store your markers on their sides, but you stated that you store yours upright. Could you please explain that. Love your blog!
Pinky
Posted by: Pinky | February 17th, 2008 20:30
Great system! We all can use more organization in our lives..(especially mine). I had the same thought as Pinky. I thought we were to keep them on ther side so both ends always recieve the same amount of ink. Let me know too, ok? I cannot wait to add to my set of Copics. Ellen has been so helpful in putting her sets together.
Posted by: janetwmarks | February 17th, 2008 20:39
Wow!! Great explination!!! Thanks so much!
Posted by: Otter | February 17th, 2008 22:33
Trudee, thank you so much for sharing this! I currently do not have any Copics, but do have all the Prismacolor markers, and I love how you made this chart. I need to do one for mine as well…as someone stated, it is much easier to look at the chart than to have to draw little lines from all these colors and try to find some that will look well together! I also didn’t know you don’t have to store them horizontally!
Posted by: Anita Van Hal | February 17th, 2008 23:51
Thank you, Trudee, for explaining this color grading system. I did not realize how this was done but now that I know, it will be easier to make the proper color choices. Your explaination was very easy to follow. Now I will have to buy another 72 piece set……see what you caused!!!!
Posted by: Becky | February 18th, 2008 08:32
What a great idea for a chart. I made one too but it’s a bit primative. I am going to try yours. I am so glad to hear they don’t have to be stored on their side…I was keeping them that way but I found them easier to grab and use when they are upright. Your banner is perfect! I can’t wait for spring either!!
Posted by: Danielle | February 18th, 2008 09:31
What an awesome idea!! Thanks for sharing your genius with us..
Michelle
Posted by: Michelle Battistini | February 18th, 2008 15:01
I am playing with the idea of coloring with Copics and your explanation of the coding system will help me select the colors I need.
Posted by: Cindryrl | February 18th, 2008 15:30
Laurie’s comment made me laugh because I caught myself doing that this weekend. I made so many marks that I couldn’t remember what colors they were so I’d have to mark it again.
I’ve already printed out a grid and once I get home from work I plan on starting to fill it out. What a great idea.
Posted by: Mary K | February 18th, 2008 17:02
Good grief, you are organized and efficient. Love your banner. Love your blog. Love your stamping!!! Consider me a stalker!! LOL
Posted by: Joan B | February 18th, 2008 17:30
Thanks for explaining the numbers (I do it the scientific way…..scrap paper….scribble….decide what colors I want to use!!) I keep meaning to make a sample board of the colors so I have a quick reference…I like your grid idea…..now to get mine printed out!!
Posted by: Starla(star) | February 19th, 2008 16:26
Great storage and Copic use ideas Trudee! Love that stand up case! I may have to look into that!
Posted by: Julia Stainton | February 19th, 2008 18:33
I only have 6 Copics so far, but will definitely be using this template! Great idea - thanks for sharing how you store/use your Copics!!
Posted by: Karen (stampin3) | February 19th, 2008 23:37
Thanks for sharing this information and your storage tecnique!
Posted by: Julia (artystamper) | February 20th, 2008 14:57
Fantastic idea!! (You have so many of those….great ideas!!)
Posted by: Shel9999 | February 22nd, 2008 07:31
Trudee, your explanation of the markers really helped me. I have all four sets of the Ciaos and have been working with them a little more and getting more confident. I just have not understood the letters and numbers on the markers. I am so sadly simple that I think I am going to print out your little tutorial and keep it taped inside my cabinet door. It’s hell getting old. Thank you!!!
Posted by: Kittie | February 23rd, 2008 06:47
I typed up my colour codes in a table. I typed the number then the name in 1 column [eg: 20. Crimson Lake]. Then left a gap column to put in the actual shaded pen, pencil or marker. I now know what I have, what’s missing and of course what colour looks good for what purpose.
Posted by: Blink | June 6th, 2008 09:48
Thank you so much for explaining the copic marker system. I’ve seen copics used so many times on cards, but this is the first time anyone has explained the system. Now all I need to do is get myself some!!
Posted by: Maria W | January 31st, 2009 13:34
I love how organized you are. I recently found a fantastic product called the workbox. It is dreamy! I think you might like to take a look.
http://www.theoriginalscrapbox.com/catalog/
Doreen Martinez
martinezpartyofthree@gmail.com
Posted by: doreen martinez | May 21st, 2009 01:31
Thanks for your storage secret:)
Posted by: Molly | July 29th, 2009 09:59