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Have you ever picked up a pen that skipped, bled, or dried out after a single use? Picking the right marker or highlighter can feel like finding a trusted sidekick for everything from quick notes to full-on art sessions. Whether you're underlining key lines in a textbook, labelling boxes in the attic, or sketching a bold mural, the marker you choose affects precision, longevity, and overall enjoyment. Spend a little time choosing wisely and you'll save headaches — and money — down the road.
Shopping in the UK for markers and highlighters gives you plenty of options, from specialist outlets to general retailers. Some stores focus on art supplies, others on office essentials, and some blend both worlds. Below are retailers worth checking out — each has its own strengths, product lines, and price points, so you can match the store to the job at hand.
Ebebek is often associated with family-friendly and kid-focused products, and when it comes to markers, you can expect bright sets like the Crayola 12 Bright Supertips. These markers usually come with fine to medium tips that are comfortable for little hands and great for colouring books, school projects, and simple art. If you're shopping for classroom packs or gift-ready sets, Ebebek is a good place to browse colourful, safe options.
Expert Electrical tends to cater to tradespeople and businesses, so their marker range often includes durable, utility-focused items like the Ck Tub Of 50 Black Permanent Marker. When you need reliable permanent markers for labelling on wood, metal, or electrical gear, stores like Expert Electrical supply robust, long-lasting choices in bulk that are ideal for workshops and on-site use.
Ryman is a go-to for students and office workers who want a balance of quality and affordability. Expect to find everyday essentials, from highlighter packs to fine-liners. Ryman often stocks a mix of branded markers and in-house ranges, making it easy to pick up last-minute favourites without breaking the bank.
WHSmith is everywhere on UK high streets and in travel hubs, and its selection is geared toward commuters and casual buyers. If you need a multipack of highlighters or a couple of permanent markers between meetings, WHSmith typically has practical options and well-known brands in compact packs.
For the artist or hobbyist, Hobbycraft provides a deeper range of creative markers, including brush-tipped markers, alcohol-based markers for blending, and metallics for special effects. If your projects demand a wide colour gamut and speciality tips, this is the kind of store where you can experiment with top-tier brands and discover new techniques.
The Range and Argos both offer broad selections of home and office essentials, including markers and highlighters at competitive price points. These stores are handy when you want a reliable, no-fuss pack for everyday tasks like labelling, crafting, or kid-friendly activities without a big price premium.
Amazon UK is hard to ignore for sheer variety and fast delivery. From single specialty markers to industrial bulk tubs, it’s a convenient place to compare brands, read reviews, and find deals. The trade-off is sifting through countless listings, so make sure to check seller ratings and product feedback before buying.
Certain marker and highlighter lines have gained a loyal following because they simply perform well. Whether you want markers for school, office, or art, here are a few options that consistently get positive feedback across the UK market.
Crayola's Supertips are a classic choice for parents and educators. They offer vivid colour, washable ink, and a tip style that works for colouring and light outlining. If you're picking markers for children or beginner projects, these feel intuitive in the hand and offer safe, bright performance.
For heavy-duty labelling and workshop tasks, a tub of 50 black permanent markers is ideal. These come with bold tips for clear, legible marks on many surfaces. Buying in bulk reduces trips to the shop and is cost-effective for tradespeople, event organisers, and office managers who go through markers quickly.
Stabilo Boss highlighters are favourites for their chisel tip and non-bleed technology. They highlight cleanly without overpowering text, and the chisel edge gives you flexibility: broad strokes for quick emphasis and fine edges for underlining. If you’re a student or reader, these highlighters are often what professionals recommend.
Sharpie markers are renowned for consistent ink flow and strong permanence. They're a staple for labelling, crafting, and creative projects where marks need to last. From fine points to ultra-broad tips, Sharpie has options for every task, and their scent-controlled versions are handy indoors.
If your focus is illustration or design, alcohol-based markers from brands like Copic, Promarker, or Winsor & Newton offer smooth blending and layered colour control. These are a higher investment but deliver professional results for artwork, fashion sketches, and detailed renderings.
Choosing the right marker comes down to four basic questions: what surface are you writing on, how permanent should the mark be, what tip size do you prefer, and how important is colour range? Answering those will narrow your options and make buying simple rather than overwhelming.
Tip choice affects line control and versatility. Fine tips are perfect for precise notes, medium tips for general use, chisel tips for highlighting and variable line widths, and brush tips for calligraphy and expressive strokes. Think of tips like the gears on a bike — each one suits a different terrain.
Water-based inks are usually washable and great for kids and paper crafts. Alcohol-based inks blend beautifully and are favoured by artists, but they can bleed through thin paper. Permanent markers bond to many surfaces and resist fading, ideal for long-term labels. Choose the ink type by balancing permanence with the surface you're marking.
Do you need a rainbow of choices for artwork or just a handful of reliable colours for note-taking? Larger sets give more creative freedom but cost more; smaller packs are convenient and cheaper. If you’re building a toolkit, start with core colours and expand as your needs grow.
Buying markers in bulk can be economical if you use them a lot — think workshops, classrooms, or event prep. But if you only occasionally need specialised markers, buying individuals lets you choose the exact tip and colour without waste. It’s like shopping for coffee: a whole bag makes sense if you drink a lot every day; a single bag is better if you’re a casual sipper.
Markers are incredibly versatile tools. Match your marker to the job and you’ll get cleaner results with less frustration. Below are common use cases and the marker types that shine in each role.
For notes and highlighting, choose chisel-tip highlighters and fine-tip markers that won’t bleed through your pages. Stabilo Boss and similar highlighters are ideal for textbooks and revision notes, while fine-tip pens keep your margins neat.
Alcohol-based markers or brush-tip markers work best for blending, shading, and expressive line work. If you’re sketching on heavier paper, these markers open up advanced techniques like layering and gradient fills.
Permanence matters for labelling tools, pipes, and crates. Industrial-grade permanent markers with bold tips make marks that stay under rough conditions. Buying tubs of black permanent markers makes sense for teams who mark items daily.
Special fabric markers or permanent markers labelled safe for fabric will withstand washing and wear. For DIY home projects, metallic and paint markers add flair to glass, wood, and plastic surfaces, but always test on a scrap piece first.
Want your markers to stick around? Good storage and small habits can dramatically increase marker life. Think of markers as tiny appliances: treat them right and they’ll repay you with steady performance.
This sounds simple because it is. Recapping prevents air from drying the tip and ink. Store markers horizontally if the manufacturer recommends it — that keeps ink evenly distributed along the tip.
Extreme temperatures shorten marker life. Keep them away from direct sunlight and heaters. Think of marker ink like chocolate; heat makes it change, and cold can make it sluggish.
If a water-based marker has started to dry, sometimes a few drops of water can help. For alcohol-based markers, specialised refill inks exist to revive performance. Always follow safety instructions and test revives on scrap paper first.
Pressing hard wears out tips faster. For long projects, alternate between markers and touch up with a fresh one rather than pressing down with the same pen until it frays.
Marker prices vary widely: a basic highlighter pack can cost just a few pounds, while professional alcohol-based marker sets can reach upward of £50 or more for a multi-colour kit. Think about frequency of use and desired performance. If you use markers daily, paying more for longevity and comfort saves money over time. If you only need markers occasionally, cheaper multipacks from general retailers are perfectly sensible.
Before you buy, run through a quick checklist: what surface will you use the marker on, do you need permanence, which tip size fits the task, and how many colours do you really need? Also consider environmental factors — some brands offer non-toxic or refillable options that reduce waste. Making a short list saves time and helps you avoid impulse buys that don’t match your needs.
Markers and highlighters are simple tools with surprisingly big impact on work, study, and creative projects. From family-friendly options at stores like Ebebek to bulk, practical supplies from Expert Electrical, and specialist ranges at Hobbycraft or Ryman, there’s a perfect marker for every job. Think about tip type, ink type, and how you’ll use the pen — and don’t forget simple care habits like recapping and proper storage. Armed with a bit of knowledge, you can pick markers that feel right in your hand, last longer, and make every task a little smoother.
| Markers & Highlighters | Price | |
|---|---|---|
| Marker Pen | £ 2,99 | |
| Crayola 12 Bright Supertips | £ 5,99 | |
| Ck Tub Of 50 Black Permanent Marker | £ 42,64 |
