Grabie Dual-Purpose Markers: Perfect for Crafts & Art Projects

8 min read ·

Executive Summary

If you’ve ever wished one marker could basically do it all—crisp lines and juicy color, neat journaling and big crafty projects—you’re exactly who dual-purpose markers were made for.

In this article, we’ll walk through:

What makes dual-purpose markers different from regular markers
Why they’re perfect for both serious art projects and casual crafts
How Grabie’s marker philosophy (from acrylics to gel pens to brush sets) translates into truly dual-use tools
Practical, step-by-step project ideas for kids, hobbyists, and seasoned artists
How to choose the right marker sets to build a flexible, inspiring creative kit

Whether you’re journaling, scrapbooking, painting on metal, or mixing media in one ambitious piece, the right markers turn “I can’t” into “Wait… I didn’t know it could look this good.”

Introduction: One Marker, Two Worlds

Picture this: you sit down to make a handmade birthday card. You want:

Smooth, even color for the background
A fine tip for lettering the name
A brush-like stroke for leaves and florals
Maybe even a paint-like effect on a small wooden tag

Instead of getting into that cozy flow state, you’re elbow-deep in drawers: brush pens here, paint markers there, fineliners buried somewhere in the back. By the time you find what you need, your creative spark is halfway gone.

That frantic hunt? Dual-purpose markers were invented to end it.

They’re the Swiss Army knife of your pencil case—one tool that can switch personalities in a second. And that “why own three things when one will do?” approach is exactly where Grabie has been quietly leading the way:

Acrylic markers that feel like paint
Brush pens that act like markers
Detail tools that still deliver rich, satisfying color

Grabie’s dual-purpose marker concept lives right at the crossroads of:

Art supplies (for illustration, painting, mixed media)
Craft tools (for scrapbooks, DIY decor, handmade gifts, journaling)

If you love both? You shouldn’t need two separate stashes.

Market Insights: Why Dual-Purpose Markers Are Having a Moment

Over the past few years, Grabie has watched—and helped shape—some major shifts in how people create.

1. The Line Between “Art” and “Craft” Is Blurring

Art journaling, junk journals, bullet journals, scrapbook club boxes, collage books… these aren’t “just” art or “just” craft. They’re a little bit studio, a little bit kitchen table.

On one page, creators might be:

Sketching with pens
Layering over with acrylic markers
Adding sparkle with glitter gel ink pens
Gluing in collage elements from themed Grabie scrapbook boxes

One single project might include drawing, painting, writing, and embellishing. So it’s no surprise that tools that flex across all those uses—like dual-purpose markers—are becoming the go-to.

2. More People Want Low-Pressure, High-Reward Creativity

Grabie’s presence at the American Art Therapy Association Conference and its ongoing Grabie Art Fund paint a clear picture: people are using art to:

Ease stress after long days
Support mental health
Find little pockets of calm through color

When you’re creating to feel better, not to impress anyone, the last thing you want is a fussy, unpredictable tool. You want markers that:

Don’t bleed all over the page
Sit comfortably in your hand
Work on a bunch of different surfaces
Feel fun and approachable, not intimidating

Dual-purpose markers are made for this—smooth, predictable, and versatile enough to follow wherever your mood wanders.

3. Value and Versatility Matter

Instead of buying:

One set for lettering
One for coloring
One for painting on surfaces

More and more people are gravitating toward multi-function marker sets, like:

Dual tone brush tip acrylic markers that behave like both paint and pen
Dual tip dot & fine tip acrylic markers that can sketch and embellish
Glitter gel pens that both write and decorate

One set, less clutter, less decision fatigue—and yes, more budget left over for that cute new sketchbook.

What Makes a Marker “Dual-Purpose”?

Not every “2-in-1” label means the same thing. When we talk about dual-purpose markers for crafts and art projects, we’re usually talking about one (or more) of these ideas.

1. Dual Tips = Two Drawing Experiences in One

The classic setup: one marker, two different tips.

Brush tip + fine tip
- Brush: sweeping strokes, full-color fills, faux calligraphy, florals
- Fine: outlines, details, notes, small lettering
Dot tip + fine tip (like Grabie’s Dual Tip Dot & Fine Tip Acrylic Paint Markers)
- Dot: playful patterns, stippling, borders, bullet points
- Fine: writing, sketching, outlining, filling narrow spaces

It’s like having both a paintbrush and a precision pen sharing the same outfit.

2. Dual Medium Feel: Ink That Acts Like Paint

A big reason Grabie markers have so many fans? A lot of them behave like paint while keeping the mess-free ease of a pen.

Think acrylic paint markers that:

Cover like opaque paint
Work on paper, metal, wood, rock, plastic
Feel just as at home on a mixed-media canvas as on a DIY ornament or garden sign

These markers pull double duty as:

“Art supply” — for canvas work, illustration, layered mixed-media pieces
“Craft tool” — for DIY gifts, decor, personalized accessories, upcycling projects

You get painterly results without dragging out palettes and jars.

3. Dual Context: Studio & Everyday Life

There’s another kind of dual-purpose that’s easy to overlook: markers that fit both of these roles comfortably:

Studio work – sketching ideas, adding highlights to paintings, combining with watercolor or colored pencils
Everyday crafting – decorating journals, collaging with Grabie scrapbook club boxes, coloring in activity books

When a marker set shows up for you during “serious art time” and casual couch doodling, that’s when it really earns its dual-purpose badge.

Product Relevance: How Grabie Elevates Dual-Purpose Markers

Peek across the Grabie catalog and you’ll see a clear pattern in what creators are asking for. They want:

Precision for tiny details (miniature paintbrush sets, extra fine acrylic markers)
Playful color for joy (iridescent glitter gel pens, bold coloring kits)
Multi-surface performance (acrylic markers used on metal garden decor, as one reviewer shared)
Smooth, frustration-free flow (reviews gush about vivid ink, clean lines, fast drying, and no harsh odor)

When that same philosophy shows up in dual-purpose markers, here’s what you can expect.

1. Reliable Performance Across Surfaces

From customer stories, Grabie acrylic markers have already been put to work on:

Paper and sketchbooks
Scrapbook pages and collage spreads
Metal decor (like a metal elk sculpture that now lives happily in a garden)
Likely wood, plastic, and other popular craft surfaces

So a dual-purpose Grabie marker isn’t “just another coloring tool”—it’s a little bridge between fine art projects and everyday DIY, with coverage that feels more like paint than your average marker.

2. Thoughtful Color Palettes

Look at the sets Grabie offers—168-color watercolor sets, themed coloring and collage books, bold coloring kits. None of this is random. The brand leans into:

Harmonious palettes that make journaling and scrapbooking feel cohesive
Strong, distinct hues for statement illustrations
Gentle, calming shades for therapeutic coloring sessions

Dual-purpose marker sets benefit from that same intentional curation. Instead of “a lot of colors,” you get colors that play nicely together.

3. Community-Tested, Therapist-Approved Vibes

Grabie’s presence at art therapy conferences and ongoing donations through the Grabie Art Fund say a lot:

Their tools show up in stress-relief and therapeutic spaces
The markers are designed not just for professionals, but also for kids, patients, tired parents, and burnt-out office workers who need a healthy escape

So dual-purpose markers born from this world tend to be:

Intuitive to figure out
Beginner-friendly but never juvenile
Perfect for repetitive, soothing patterns (dots, borders, simple shapes) and more expressive art

7 Ways to Use Dual-Purpose Markers for Crafts & Art

Let’s get practical. Here are seven real-world ways to put dual-purpose markers—especially acrylic and brush types—to work across both art and craft.

1. Mixed-Media Greeting Cards

Use for: birthdays, thank-you notes, holidays, “just because” cards

Try this mini project:

Lightly sketch your layout in pencil—where the message goes, where the decorations will live.
With the fine tip, write the main message: “thank you,” “happy birthday,” or something more personal.
Switch to the brush or dot tip and decorate the edges with:
- Confetti dots
- Simple florals and leaves
- Starbursts, doodles, or metallic accents (glitter gel pens shine here—literally)
If you’re using acrylic paint markers, add an opaque highlight or border to make the card feel extra luxe and truly handmade.

You’ve just combined hand lettering (art) with cardmaking (craft) in a quick, satisfying project.

2. Scrapbook & Journal Enhancements

If you’re into Grabie’s Scrapbook Club Boxes or their collage activity books, dual-purpose markers can quickly become the MVP of your desk.

Use them to:

Frame photos with neat fine-tip outlines and soft brushy shadows
Create headings and labels for journal entries, memories, or quotes
Add borders around decorative papers and sticker clusters
Dot and line patterns around key moments to draw the eye

The best part? You can toss a single dual-tip marker in your planner pouch and still have everything you need for both writing and decorating on the go.

3. DIY Home & Garden Decor

This is where acrylic dual-purpose markers really flex.

Some ideas:

Paint small wooden signs for plant labels, pantry jars, kids’ rooms, or front-door welcome signs
Decorate metal pieces—like the Grabie customer who used acrylic markers on a metal elk that now stands proudly in their garden
Personalize ceramic planters with patterns or quotes (always test first and seal if needed)

Use the:

Fine tip for names, label text, outlines, and tiny details
Brush or acrylic tip for filling in bigger shapes, florals, or bold patterns

It feels a bit like magic seeing “paint-level” color come out of a pen.

4. Layered Illustration with Mixed Media

If you’re an illustrator or you love building up layers in your art, dual-purpose markers play really nicely with other mediums like:

Watercolor (think Grabie’s 100- or 168-color sets)
Fineliners (like their multiliner drawing pens)
Colored pencils

Try this flow:

Lay down a loose watercolor background—washes of color, soft shapes, abstract blobs.
Once dry, grab your fine-tip acrylic markers to reinforce edges, draw tiny details, or add sharp highlights.
Switch to the brush tip for bolder strokes, dynamic shapes, or bright accents over the top.

Your markers become both the finishing touch and a key storytelling element in the piece.

5. Calming Pattern Pages for Stress Relief

If you’ve seen Grabie’s “What To Draw When You Think You Can’t” kits, you already know how comforting guided creativity can be. You can recreate that feeling with your dual-purpose markers.

Fill a page with:

Rows and clusters of dots (with the dot tip)
Repeating leaf or petal shapes (brush tip)
Little symbols, dates, or words (fine tip)

You’re not chasing perfection—you’re creating rhythm, color, and a little mental quiet. It’s almost like meditation, but with prettier results.

6. Kids’ Craft Time That Grows With Them

Because dual-purpose markers are so intuitive, they’re amazing for family craft sessions where everyone’s at a different skill level.

Younger kids can:
- Fill in large shapes
- Make bold dot patterns and simple rainbows
Older kids and teens can:
- Practice lettering and doodle art
- Customize notebooks, storage boxes, or phone stands
- Experiment with multi-surface art on rocks, wood slices, or upcycled packaging

You put one core set in the middle of the table, and everyone uses it their own way. No fighting over “my pens” and “your markers.”

7. Finishing Touches on Almost Anything

One of the most underrated powers of dual-purpose acrylic markers? They’re brilliant for final details.

Add the tiniest highlights to eyes or jewelry in portraits
Outline scrapbook photos with a shimmer or metallic edge (glitter and metallic markers shine here)
Do clean line work on top of dried watercolor or gouache
Sign your name neatly on canvas pieces, craft items, or prints

That mix of precision and strong coverage is what makes them the last thing you reach for before you say, “Okay, now it’s done.”

How to Get the Most Out of Dual-Purpose Markers

To keep your markers feeling like the creative workhorses they are, a few simple habits make a big difference.

1. Match the Surface to the Marker

Acrylic dual-purpose markers
- Love: paper, cardstock, wood, some plastics, metal, rocks
- Approach with curiosity: ceramics, glass, very slick plastics (test first and seal if needed)
Water-based brush/fine markers
- Love: paper, journals, planners, coloring books
- Less happy on: super glossy or non-porous surfaces

When in doubt, test on a scrap or hidden corner. Your future self will thank you.

2. Use the Right Tip for the Right Move

Think of it like picking the right brush in a painting app:

Fine tip for:
- Outlines and sketching
- Neat lettering
- Tiny embellishments and details
Brush/dot tip for:
- Backgrounds and large shapes
- Borders, frames, and shadows
- Pattern work (dots, florals, waves, stripes)

You’ll get cleaner results and help your nibs last longer.

3. Store and Shake (When Needed)

Especially for paint-based markers:

Store horizontally when you can, so the pigment stays evenly distributed
Shake well (cap firmly on!) before using
Prime the tip on scrap paper if the flow looks a little shy at first

It’s a tiny ritual that keeps your colors bold and smooth.

4. Layer, Don’t Fight

Give each layer a moment to dry before going in with another color—especially with acrylic-type markers. You’ll get:

Sharp, clean lines
Less muddy color mixing
Crisper outlines and highlights

That tiny pause can be the difference between “nice” and “wow.”

5. Keep a “Swatch & Play” Page

Designate one page in your sketchbook or scrapbook as your official playground:

Swatch every color in your set
Test blends, overlays, and line weights
Try new pattern ideas and lettering styles

You’ll quickly see what each tip and color loves to do—and when you sit down to a “real” project, you’ll already know exactly which marker to grab.

Conclusion: One Set, Endless Possibilities

Dual-purpose markers are more than a clever storage hack. They’re a creative mindset. Instead of asking, “Am I doing art or craft today?” they simply say, “Cool, let’s make something.”

In the Grabie universe, that mindset shows up in:

Acrylic markers that paint confidently on paper, metal, and more
Brush tips and fine tips sharing a single barrel
Glitter and gel pens that both write and decorate
Scrapbook and art club boxes that invite you to mix media freely

If you:

Draw and journal
Paint and craft
Crave calm and bold color

then building your creative kit around dual-purpose markers is one of the easiest ways to unlock more creativity with fewer tools.

Ready to Experiment?

Try this gentle challenge:

Look through your current supplies and notice where you’re doubling up—one set for writing, one for coloring, one for painting.
Choose a dual-tip or acrylic marker set that can replace at least two of those categories.
Pick one simple project—a greeting card, a journal spread, a small decor piece—and commit to making it with just that marker set plus paper.

Watch what happens when you remove the pressure and let one versatile tool lead the way. You’ll start to understand why so many creators (and art therapists) keep coming back to smooth, reliable dual-purpose markers.

And the next time you sit down to create and that little voice whispers, “Should I do crafts or art today?”—you’ll already know the answer:

You don’t have to choose. With the right markers, you get to do both—beautifully.