Surfpaints or POSCA? How Teachers Can Choose Paint Pens for the Classroom

If you're buying paint pens for an art room, you've probably come across both POSCA and Surfpaints. Both are well-known paint marker brands. Rather than tell you which is "better", this guide walks through the questions that actually decide what suits your class: budget, colour count, class size, bulk buying and tip size.

About the two brands

POSCA is a long-established paint marker brand. Its official website describes POSCA as a creative tool for "plastic, wood, cardboard, paper, glass, textiles". It lists a range of tip styles, from very fine tips (such as the PC-1MR and PC-1MC) and bullet tips (PC-3M, PC-5M, PC-7M) to a broad chisel tip (PC-8K) and an XXL rectangular tip (PC-17K). For full POSCA product details and pricing, see posca.com or your local POSCA retailer. (Source: posca.com/en, checked 19 Oct 2026.)

Surfpaints is an Australian paint pen brand that started in surf culture. Our product pages list use on wood, metal, canvas, plastic, rocks, glass, shoes, helmets and more. Here's what's in the range today:

How to choose: five questions

1. What's your budget per student?

Start with your total budget and your number of students, then work backwards. A single 8 pack shared between a small table group is very different from a full set at every desk. Bulk packs (see below) bring the cost per pen down for larger groups.

2. How many colours do you need?

• Introductory lessons, colour theory, simple designs: one or two 8 packs (for example, Primary plus Black & White) usually covers it.
• Themed projects: pick the range that suits the theme, such as Pastel for beach scenes, Earth for landscapes and Fluro or Metallic for pop art.
• Ongoing art programs: the 36-Colour Set gives you every colour in one box. Individual pens let you replace the colours that run out first.

3. How big is the class?

• One art room or a small group: a 36-Colour Set or a few 8 packs, shared across tables.
• A whole class or year group: bulk packs give each table its own supply, so there's less waiting and swapping.
• Whole-school events, workshops or departments: the larger bulk packs are designed for this.

4. Should you buy in bulk?

Surfpaints bulk options currently include:

• Bulk Paint Pen Packs: Starter A$500, Workshop A$750, Department A$1,000.
• 192 Acrylic Paint Markers Bulk Pack: A$750. Four sets each of Primary, Pastel, Fluorescent, Metallic, Earth and Black & White.

A tax invoice is available with every order, and purchase-order details can be added on request. Compare all options on the bulk packs page.

5. Which tip sizes suit your projects?

• 1mm extra fine: outlines, lettering and small details. Good for older students and detailed work.
• 4mm bullet: the all-rounder for drawing, filling shapes and lettering. Most classes use this size most often.
• 15mm wide: backgrounds, murals and big bold shapes.

For most classrooms, a 4mm set plus a few 1mm pens for detail is a practical starting point.

A quick checklist before you order

• Number of students and how often the pens will be used
• Colours needed for this term's projects
• Tip sizes (4mm, plus 1mm for detail, plus 15mm for big areas)
• Whether you need a tax invoice or a purchase order
• Delivery timing for your lesson dates. Australian orders ship from Brookvale, NSW, by tracked Australia Post. USA/Canada delivery is 4–8 business days by Australia Post.

Get a quote for your school

Buying for a class, department or event? Browse the bulk packs, or request a quote and tell us your class size, colours and timing.

Want project ideas to go with your pens? Check out our guide to painting wood and canvas and paper techniques.