Tombow ABT PRO Alcohol-Based Marker Review. An overview of the key features of the newest Tombow Marker, plus learn how it’s different from the Dual Tip markers you know and love!
Disclosure: As a Senior Tombow Brand Ambassador, I received a free VIP Club Box and a full set of ABT PROs. I was not paid to write this blog post, nor was I required to post about them. I genuinely love all things Tombow! This post does contain affiliate links. I get paid if you use my link to purchase them. It does not affect the price you pay.
Tombow ABT PRO Alcohol-Based Marker Review
The new Tombow ABT Pro Markers are perfect for illustration, lettering, and brush calligraphy.
I’ve tried to cover all the basics and FAQs I could think of in this blog post, but if you have additional questions, let me know in the comments.
If I don’t know the answer, I’ll be sure to get one from my friends at Tombow for you!
Key Features of the new ABT PRO Marker
- Permanent
- Alcohol-based ink
- Fast-drying
- Vibrant, saturated colors
- Great for layering and shading
- Creates rich color blends without pilling paper!
- Available in 108 colors
Graphic via Tombow USA
EXCLUSIVE TOMBOW COUPON CODE!
PLEASE NOTE: This code is not valid for the Tombow VIP Club box since it’s already a great discount!
Get 15% off your order at TombowUSA with code dawnnicole15 (the code is not case sensitive).
- Tombow USA ships to the U.S. and Canada with free shipping on orders of $30 or more!
- Cannot be combined with any other codes.
Get Your Hands on Them!
The full line of the new ABT PROs is now available on the Tombow website.
Keep scrolling to learn more about how the ABT PROs compare to the Dual Tips.
How is the New Tombow ABT PRO different from the Tombow Dual Tip Markers?
While the design and overall look are similar for both markers, there are some key differences.
- The ABT PRO Alcohol-Based Marker is a permanent dual-tipped art marker. The Dual Tip is a non-permanent water-based dual-tipped marker.
- The ABT PRO has a brush tip and a chisel tip. The Dual Tip has a brush tip and a bullet tip.
- Blending works differently with each marker type. Here’s Tombow’s explanation:
The Dual Brush Pen is a water-based marker that is blendable when combined with water, whereas the ABT PRO is an alcohol-based marker that is blended by layering darker ink on top of lighter ink. Since the ABT PRO is an alcohol-based marker, the ink is permanent, fast-drying, great for layering and shading and it won’t pill paper. That means you can layer ink to create rich, vibrant color saturation without damaging your artwork.
More FAQs
How Should I Store them?
Just as with the original ABT Dual Tips, you can store them vertically or horizontally.
What Paper works best?
I recommend any of the following:
Copy paper is the perfect option for printable lettering worksheets and daily practice. The best paper is HP Premium Choice Laserjet Paper. I buy mine by the ream on Amazon and usually buy two reams at a time since the paper I use most often.
Strathmore 400 Marker Paper. This paper features a super smooth surface that markers glide over. It is acid-free, heavyweight, and is bleed and feather resistant.
Canson Marker Paper is semi-transparent yet is amazingly prone to no bleed through. It’s buttery smooth and a fantastic option for brush pens and blending techniques.
How fast do they dry?
Almost instantly. I ran my fingers across it immediately after I placed color on paper and had ZERO smearing or smudging!
Do they bleed through paper?
It depends on how many layers of ink you add. I tested it on the Strathmore 400 and got to four layers because I saw the bleed-through shown below.
Is there a storage case for the new markers?
Not yet but the tray they come in is stackable with all the other color palettes so don’t throw it out!
Summary
The alcohol ink flows well, dries quick, and the colors are rich and vibrant. They blend gorgeously and, as promised, don’t pill the paper.
They’re a more affordable version of Copic Markers (which I also own).
Any of my fellow marker lovers will be so glad they added these to their collection!
SHOP THE FULL COLLECTION OF ABT PROs!
Free Practice Sheets
Want to practice using these markers for brush calligraphy? Here are the two practice sheet sets I recommend you start with:
I hope you found my Tombow ABT PRO Alcohol-Based Marker Review informative and helpful!
Will you be adding them to your collection?
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Thanks Dawn! I just ordered the VIP box and I look forward to trying out the new markers.
Yay! I hope you love them as much as I do, Debbie! My favorite thing is how much you can layer and blend them without the paper piling.
How do the original Tombow dual tips and these new Tombow PRO markers compare to Karin Brush Marker PROs? I had been planning to buy the Karin markers next, but now I’m wondering if the new Tombow PROs would be as good or better? (The only markers I currently have are the Tombow dual tips and fudenosukes).
You can read my review of the Karin Markers for comparison here: https://bydawnnicole.com/karin-brushmarkerpro-review/.
They’re a medium tipped brush pen and the only con with those now that I’ve had them longer is the flexibility of the tip can vary so they do need to work on the consistency of that in their manufacturing process.
They’re really a different type of marker so I’m glad to have all three in my collection.
At the end of the day, you can’t go wrong with any of them for brush calligraphy! They’re my top three medium/large tip choices for brush calligraphy.
Hi Dawn Nicole! Love your blog and all the awesome lettering practice sheets!
Just an FIY, you list the VIP pack coming with a new blender pen, but in that paragraph blurb you’ve got info on the new Fudenosuke colors not the blender pen
Thanks so much for catching that, Ines! All fixed now.