As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Thanks for your support!
If you are thinking of picking up a NextDraw pen plotter (the successor to the AxiDraw pen plotter), you can take 5% off a NextDraw pen plotter or accessories with discount code DIRTALLEYDESIGN2024 when you buy directly from Bantam Tools.
One of my favorite printing processes to explores is CMYK, where the overlap of cyan, magenta and yellow ink layers creates all the colors of the rainbow.
With my latest round of Diamond Star prints, I decided it was time to explore new CMYK markers over my usual Stabilo Fineliners. While Stabilo fineliner pens are lovely markers for so many reasons (affordable! durable! vibrant! longlasting!), they are not guaranteed as fade-proof. 
Dye based inks are more prone to fading over time (but they are also much more vibrant than many permanent ink pens!) See example print above drawn using my Stabilo Point 88 markers (using azure, pink and yellow!)
Artline Blox vs Staedtler Pigment Liners
I tested two new pens: Artline Blox pens, and Staedtler Pigment Liners.
The Artline Blox pens were difficult to align due to their funky shape (you can stack these pens together like legos!)
I also found the ink to create more "bleedy" lines with my paper. Ultimately, this pen was a pass for me!
Fortunately, the Staedtler Pigment Liner pens are a lovely alternative. These permanent, fade-resistant pens have a lovely thick line, and while more muted in tone than my usual Stabilos, I appreciated the more natural tones in my new prints.
These pens are pricey at $4.65 a pop! They also are tricky to align between layers as the barrels on these pens are not straight. The felt tip wears out quickly and the blue cyan pen could only be used for 1-2 prints. This will probably be my only print release with these pens I imagine!
What's Next in CMYK Land?
After testing out these new pens and sharing the results on my Instagram, I asked for tips on any additional pen options I could explore.
A fellow pen plotting artist recommended Artline 200 pens, I ended up testing their Light Blue, Pink and Yellow to wonderful results! These pens are thinner than the Stabilo Point 88 markers but rich and vibrant (and supposedly lightfast!) However, I was only able to find these pens sold in the US through Blick Art Materials (although you can buy them through Jackson's Art, which is based in the UK!)
All Generative Art, All the Time
But what if you want to learn more?! Check out these additional blog posts:
- Should You Buy an Axidraw Pen Plotter?
- How to Generative Art
- Favorite Pens for Axidraw, Plus How to Make Multiple Color Plots!
- How to Draw Generative Art with an Axidraw Pen Plotter
Dirt Alley Design was founded just off a dirt alley in San Francisco in December of 2016 by artist Michelle Chandra. Inspired by the beauty of street grids, Michelle invented maze maps in which she transforms street grids into mazes. In 2019, she began a new project - generative prints created with code and drawn with a pen plotter. Follow her on Instagram and Twitter @dirtalleydesign where she posts new spirograph designs daily
I’m enjoying playing with Pilot Kakuno fountain pens, they’re relatively affordable and refillable if you use a cartridge converter. Then you can also mix your own ink colours too. I’ve only tried the fine nib but they have extra fine which might suit your work.