Arrtx SIMPTAP 48 Acrylic Marker Set is the largest set of the SIMPTAP line. It’s an upgraded and expanded version of the original, which comes in 24 colours (review here). Since I have reviewed the 24-colour set before, I will do a bit of comparisons between the two sets in this review.
Upgrade 1: The Packaging
The new box has thick cardboard packaging, much improved from the original.
OCD alert! At the bottom of the box there is no case to hold the markers, so if you take some out, the other ones will shift into their space. This is by no means a deal breaker, just a heads up if you want to keep the markers in numerical order, I would not bother. 😛
Upgrade 2: Cover for Valve Action
Another upgrade is the extra cover for the valve, so you don’t accidentally press the valve when shaking/activating the ink flow.
Personally, I find that this extra cover comes off the markers very easily, especially when taking the markers out of the box. Because I never accidentally pressed the valve action while shaking the markers, I don’t find the cover to be necessary. However, some people might, so it is truly a personal preference.
Shade Expansion
The new and expanded set has 24 more colours, which closed some of the shade gaps. There are a few more earth and skin tones, and greys, which are good additions to the range.
Here are the original 24 colours, swatched on Strathmore black mixed media paper:
And here are the new 48 colours, swatched on Strathmore marker paper:
By the way, J228 is orange, but appeared more red in the picture. As you can see, some of the shades are very similar. J005 & J011, J127 & J133, J543 & J548 could have been edited and I would add a couple more shades of red and yellows to complete the range.
Since the colour of the cap on each marker may not be a true colour match to the swatch, it is best to do a swatch sheet so you know what you are using, with no surprises.
Activation Tips
If there is one tip I can give you regarding how to activate these markers, this would be it. Like the instructions from Arrtx said, you only need to press the valve action 4-5 times initially to activate the ink flow. However, if you simply press 4-5 times, you will be shaking the markers forever to get the ink going.
Hold That Press!
Here is what I find works: after shaking the markers up and down a few times, you press the valve action and hold that press. Open the cap and look at nib window. You will see that the ink will start to drop into the window and close to the nib. Let go then, but not before. Close the cap and give it another few shakes, and if the ink still doesn’t saturate the nib, press and hold another time. It will greatly minimize the amount of times you have to shake the markers to activate the ink.
Performance Review
Performance wise, the Arrtx SIMPTAP 48 acrylic markers worked just as well as the original 24. The ink comes out smooth, with rich pigments (though the lightest three shades are not as opaque). The paints are waterbased but waterproof (once dry), with no odour, which is great because I don’t like smelly markers. The nibs are made so well and durable that despite using them on unpolished lava rocks in the original review, they did not fray.
Mixed Pulp Paper
In my review of the 24-set I did not use regular paper, so this time I used the markers on Arrtx’s mixed pulp sketchbook. The colours did not bleed through the page.
Canvas paper
I also used the markers on Strathmore Canvas Paper meant for acrylic and oil paints. I find that you get a tiny bit of extra blend time on this particular surface.
By the way, since the paints are opaque and dry very quickly, you can’t really blend the colours. I could work with the wet paint on the canvas paper to a very small degree, but these don’t layer. You don’t use acrylic markers for layering anyway, so this is not a criticism. It is to showcase how opaque these markers are.
The markers can go on different surfaces, so I tried them on glass. On non-porous surface such as glass the markers still work, but if you try to colour evenly you are out of luck. The more you go over the painted area the more you will rub the paint off, even the dried paint. If you only do line drawing it is perfectly workable, but if you want to paint something, gesso it first.
I put two coats of clear gesso and lightly sanded the surface and the paints went on very smoothly.
Overall Review of Arrtx SIMPTAP 48 Acrylic Marker Set
The new set added a lot of colours to the range. In addition, the markers are easy to use, non-toxic, have no odour, and have rich pigments. The nibs are durable and can take a lot of abuse. I enjoyed using these, and my only hope is that Arrtx will add more red and yellow shades to the range which will make the set complete.
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Arrtx A4 Sketchbook
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Disclaimer: Arrtx sent me this set for review purposes only. This post is not sponsored and my opinion is my own. Links to the products are for your convenience only; I do not make commission off the sale of this product.
