Confessions of a Colorist: My Secret for Marker Magic

Okay, confession time! We've all been there, right? You're in a total creative zone, filling a page with gorgeous, vibrant color, and then… disaster strikes! You flip the page to start on the next design, only to discover a colorful crime scene on the other side. That's the horror of marker bleed-through, and while it's a super common problem, it doesn't have to be a coloring nightmare. There’s a simple, foolproof solution to make that a thing of the past.

My secret weapon for keeping my art clean and my books pristine is called the Ink Shield! (that's my personal name for it!) Before you even start coloring, just slide a piece of paper—a blank sheet of printer paper, a piece of cardstock, or even a folded paper towel—right behind the page you’re working on. It’s like a trusty sidekick, catching any ink that tries to escape and saving the page underneath. (Just a quick heads-up: for the smoothest surface, paper or cardstock are your best bet, but a paper towel is a great option in a pinch!) Making this a habit will save you so much frustration and let you focus on the fun part.

While the Ink Shield is my go-to magic trick, I have a couple of other fun tips to share with you! Think of it as a dance: start with a gentle hand and build up your color in light layers. This lets the ink sink in without over-saturating the paper too quickly. Also, get to know your markers! Some are naturally juicier than others, so if you're using a super-juicy one, just be extra mindful and let that Ink Shield do its happy work!

I truly believe that coloring should be a peaceful escape, not a stress test. These simple little tricks will let you go back to what really matters: enjoying the process and creating something you love, one vibrant stroke at a time!

Happy coloring, everyone! 🎨

What's your best tip or trick for using markers in coloring books? Let me know in the comments below!