BEST MATERIALS FOR COLORING A GIANT DEBBIE LYNN POSTER

One of the most common questions we get from our customers is this: "What can I use to color Debbie Lynn posters?"

At a first thought, it sounds simple: just use anything. Grab some markers from the nearest store and get coloring! There's a problem with that approach though.

Using the wrong markers is going to result in bleeding and a poor, disappointing experience overall. Cheap crayons and colored pencils are more likely to have bland colors, which means you'll end up with a lifeless-looking colored poster. Nobody wants that!

That's why we put together a quick guide to help you pick the best supplies for a great coloring experience.

Colored Pencils

The standard for coloring posters and pages. Pencils come in every color of the rainbow and are easily found in office supplies and discount stores. They last a long time, can be blunted to color large areas, and will not smudge or bleed through. Plus they never dry up! 

Crayons

Just like colored pencils, crayons are found everywhere and come in every color under the rainbow. Great for children who are beginning to tap their creative genius, even adults will find them useful for coloring large areas and blending. 

Pastels

The easiest way to put a background in is with soft pastels. They come in several different forms and price points. Questions to ask yourself are do you care if your area is messy because playing with chalk pastels is messy! Do they need to be lightfast, aka do you care if your pictures fade over time. 

Eye Shadow – yes, eye shadow. 

Also great for coloring in large backgrounds. Do you have eye shadow from when you were in high school that you never threw away? Perfect! Use them just as you would soft pastels. Once you start using them for coloring don’t use them for your eyes anymore, you wouldn’t want to use that bacteria in your eyes. You can also go to the dollar store and look for makeup kits at half price. 

if you are going to use either of these methods consider coloring this area last and using hairspray as a fixative.   

Washable Markers

You'll find washable markers from many manufacturers, including our marker line here at Debbie Lynn! 

Brush Markers

These pens have a brush-like tip. They are easier to use for shading and coloring a larger surface area. They can be controlled easily as well. These brush pens have a felt tip that soaks up the ink easily for smooth dispensing. These pens usually have a tip size of 6mm.

Fine Tip Markers

These markers have a fine tip, usually 4 mm or less. Since they are thinner, they are not intended for shading but more for coloring details or adding more dimension to the shade. They can also work for lettering. 

Gel Pens

Gel pens are wonderfully smooth and opaque upon application, allowing for more of a contrast and color variation on your surface. Made using a water-based gel and ink, these pens work well for fine detailing and smaller areas too. They are also available in various colors, including pastels and glitters.  They are great if you are looking to add a pop of color to your design. 

Sharpie Markers

Sharpie markers are alcohol-based markers, not water-based like some other markers. The most important fact you need to know about alcohol-based markers is that they have a very wet consistency. They will bleed through your poster, so it is always recommended to protect the surface under your coloring area. Sharpies are known for bleeding through the paper and onto the surface below it. 

The Bottom Line for a Terrific Coloring Experience

We recommend colored pencils, crayons, pastels, and washable markers. We do NOT recommend permanent markers, paints, or alcohol-based markers without putting poster board, cardboard, or foam board behind the posters. 

Wrapping up

There you have it! Now you know what supplies to look for in order to create colored posters that you'll fall in love with.

Ready to get your hands on some great posters? Click below to get started: