Make The Most Of Your Marker Storage!
Markers are an important part of so many creative projects. Are you a card maker shading die-cut paper pieces? Do you like adding hand-drawn details to scrapbook pages? Are you an illustrator with an ever-growing collection of markers, pens, and pencils? Or are cozy coloring pages your favorite way to relax?
No matter what you love to create, keeping your markers organized, easy to find, and properly stored helps you make the most of your collection.
Not all markers are the same! Different brands and marker types may have different storage requirements. In this guide, we'll walk through how to store and organize your markers, along with storage solutions to help you spend less time searching and more time creating.
How Should I Store My Markers?
The best way to store your markers depends on the brand and marker type. Some markers should be stored horizontally, while others are designed for vertical storage.
For example, Sharpie® recommends storing its markers in the same orientation as their original packaging. Standard Sharpie® markers are often stored with their tips facing up, while specialty markers may need to be stored horizontally or with their tips facing down.
Always check the manufacturer's recommendations for your specific markers. Storage instructions may be included on the packaging or available on the brand's official website.
Should Markers Be Stored Horizontally or Vertically? A Brand-by-Brand Guide
| Storage Orientation | Marker Brands and Types |
|---|---|
| Horizontal | Copic®, Ohuhu®, Stampin' Blends®, Tim Holtz Distress®, Sharpie® Creative Markers, Spectrum Noir™ TriBlend, Chameleon™ Alcohol Markers, Memento™, VersaMarker™ Watermark Pen, Altenew® |
| Horizontal or Vertical | OLO™, Prismacolor® Pencils |
| Vertical — Cap Up | Karin® Brushmarker Pro, Zig® Clean Color Real Brush Pens, Classic Sharpie® Markers |
| Vertical — Cap Down | Sharpie® Metallic Markers |
Note: Storage recommendations may vary by product line. Always follow the manufacturer's instructions for your specific markers.
How Should I Organize My Marker Collection?
Once you know how to store your markers, you need to decide how to organize them. This is one of the most important and most personalized steps.
- Color Family: One of the most useful ways to organize your markers is by color. Group them into color families: reds/pinks, oranges/yellows, greens, blues, violets/purples, browns, and grays/blacks/whites. Decide which order makes the most sense for you. Rainbow order creates a simple system for finding your markers.
- Brand: Grouping your markers by brand can also be helpful. Many brands have their own color family groupings that you can follow.
- Ink Type: Do you have similar colors in both alcohol- and water-based markers? Give each ink type its own home or section in your storage system. This makes it easy to find your alcohol markers for illustrating or your favorite water-based markers for bullet journaling.
- Frequency of Use: Do you use certain colors more than others? Place your favorites in the top rows of your marker holder. The middle rows can hold markers you use occasionally, while the bottom rows can be reserved for your least-used colors and specialty markers.
- Creative Purpose: What do you use your markers for? Are you illustrating a page and need access to a specific color palette? Are you creating an entire card collection centered around shades of your favorite color? You can organize your markers based on your projects and creative process.
Tip: Create a swatch chart. A marker's cap color doesn't always match how the ink looks on paper. Color a small swatch with each marker on a sheet of cardstock, and write the color name or number beside it. Keep the chart near your marker storage so you can see the actual colors when you plan your next project.
Once you've decided how to organize your collection, the next step is finding storage that works with your markers and creative style.
What Are the Best Marker Storage Solutions?
Your marker collection is unique, and your storage should be too! Whether you're organizing a full collection, keeping your favorite colors close by, or mixing and matching marker types, Stamp-n-Storage offers thoughtfully designed solutions to help you find, use, and put away your markers.
For Full Marker Collections
Full-Set Marker Holder
Give your largest marker collection a home with the Full-Set Marker Holder. Handcrafted from sturdy birch, this holder keeps up to 360 markers stored horizontally with their caps visible for easy color selection. Designed for collections like Copic®, Altenew®, Prismacolor®, and more, it's a durable storage solution that can grow with your creativity.
Full-Set Marker Holder Dimensions and Capacity
| Version | Capacity | Dimensions (W × H × D) |
|---|---|---|
| Standard | Up to 360 markers | 17¾" × 13¼" × 4¾" |
| IKEA® / BCO | Up to 270 markers | 12½" × 13" × 4¾" |
Marker Holder for Stampin' Blends®
Keep your light and dark color pairs together with the Marker Holder for Stampin' Blends®. Its specially designed compartments keep your markers together by color family, making it easy to find the shades you need for blending. Available in sizes that hold 60 or 120 sets, it's a dedicated home for your growing Stampin' Blends® collection.
Dimensions and Capacity: Standard: 60 sets; 7" W × 13¼" H × 4¾" D. IKEA®: 120 sets; 13" W × 13" H × 4¾" D.
Keep track of the markers you have and the ones you still need with our free Stampin' Blends® Marker Collection Chart.
Marker Storage for OLO™
Do you keep your OLO™ markers connected, or store them as separate halves? Choose the storage that fits the way you use them.
Marker Holder for OLO™
Keep your OLO™ collection organized with the Marker Holder for OLO™. Designed to hold up to 270 connected markers, it keeps color pairs and dual-nib combinations together. Available in natural birch or hand-painted white, the holder comes in Standard and IKEA®/BCO sizes to coordinate with your existing craft storage.
Dimensions: Standard: 12¾" W × 13¼" H × 4¾" D. IKEA®/BCO: 12½" W × 13" H × 4¾" D.
Marker Carousel for OLO™
See your OLO™ colors with a simple spin! The Marker Carousel for OLO™ comes in two versions to fit the way you create. The Connected Marker Carousel keeps paired markers together, while the Half Marker Carousel organizes individual marker halves. Both keep your colors visible and within easy reach.
Marker Carousel for OLO™ Capacity Comparison
| Carousel Version | Capacity | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Marker Halves | 256 halves | Organizing individual colors for mixing and matching |
| Connected Markers | 128 connected markers (up to 256 colors) | Keeping paired markers together |
Dimensions: Both versions measure 7¼" in diameter × 13" tall.
Kate's Mix-and-Match OLO™ Method
Our very own team member Kate likes the Carousel for OLO™ halves because she has a unique way of connecting her OLO™ markers.
"I use my OLO™ markers for cozy coloring pages like the ones from CoCo Wyo® and Bobbie Goods®. When starting a coloring project, I connect my OLO™ marker halves based on what I'm coloring. For example, there's a bunny character I always color Rose Beige (OR 7.2), and her bow is Ash Pink (RV 7.4). I connect these two marker halves so I can keep the bunny's colors together. I do this for several characters and scenes. The halves version of the Marker Carousel for OLO™ makes it easy to see and find the colors I want to connect." — Kate
For Smaller and Specialized Marker Collections
You picked your markers for a reason. Maybe each color was bought for a specific project, or your collection includes different ink types and marker tips. Whatever your creative style, there's a storage solution to match.
Side-by-Side Marker Holder
Keep your colors lined up and easy to find with the Side-by-Side Marker Holder. Its sturdy birch construction and individual compartments accommodate different marker sizes, from small round markers to wider styles. Organize by color family or brand, and choose a Standard or IKEA® version to fit your craft space.
Side-by-Side Marker Holder Capacity by Marker Size
| Marker Type | Approximate Capacity |
|---|---|
| Small round (Stampin' Up!®, Tim Holtz Distress®) | Up to 180 |
| Copic® Ciao | Up to 150 |
| Medium (Copic® Sketch, Prismacolor®) | Up to 120 |
| Wide (Copic® Wide) | Up to 60 |
Compartment dimensions: 11/16" high × 2-11/16" wide.
Dimensions: Standard: 6½" W × 13¼" H × 4¾" D. IKEA®: 6½" W × 13" H × 4¾" D.
Marker Nook
No more tumbling markers! The Marker Nook features five angled shelves that keep your markers neatly stacked and easy to grab, even from the bottom. It's a space-saving solution for your desk, IKEA® Kallax, or BCO Cabinet.
Capacity: Approximately 220 small round markers, 180 medium markers, or 130 larger markers, depending on marker size.
Dimensions: Standard: 6½" W × 13¼" H × 4¾" D. IKEA®: 6½" W × 13" H × 4¾" D.
Deep Marker Holder
Longer markers deserve a storage solution that fits! The Deep Marker Holder features 7¼" deep compartments designed for longer markers like Spectrum Noir™ TriBlend and Chameleon™. Its sturdy horizontal design keeps markers supported with their caps visible, whether displayed on your desk or stored in an IKEA® Kallax cube.
Dimensions: Standard: 6½" W × 13¼" H × 7¼" D. IKEA®: 6½" W × 13" H × 7¼" D. Compartments are 1-7/16" high.
For Everyday Favorites
Craft Caddy
Keep your go-to colors and tools close with the Craft Caddy. Its 360-degree rotating base and varied compartments make it easy to grab markers, pens, scissors, and other crafting essentials. With a compact 7½" desktop footprint, it keeps your current project's supplies organized without taking over your workspace.
Dimensions: 7½" in diameter × 5¼" tall.
Frequently Asked Questions About Marker Storage
Should markers be stored horizontally or vertically?
Markers should be stored horizontally or vertically depending on the brand and marker type. Most alcohol marker brands recommend horizontal storage. Some markers require horizontal storage, while others are designed to be stored vertically with their caps facing up or down. Always follow the manufacturer's storage recommendations for your specific markers.
What is the best way to organize markers by color?
Group your markers into color families, such as reds, oranges, yellows, greens, blues, purples, and neutrals. Arranging markers in rainbow order makes colors easy to find, while organizing by the manufacturer's color codes can help you locate specific shades.
Can I store different marker brands together?
Yes, different marker brands can be stored together as long as their storage orientation requirements are compatible. You can organize markers by color family, ink type, or creative purpose. Choose a marker holder with compartments that accommodate the sizes and shapes of your markers.
Can alcohol-based and water-based markers be stored together?
Alcohol-based and water-based markers can share the same storage area if each marker is stored according to its manufacturer's recommendations. However, keeping the two ink types in separate sections can make it easier to find the right markers for coloring, blending, or watercolor techniques.
How should I store a large marker collection?
Use a storage system that keeps markers organized, visible, and easy to access. The Stamp-n-Storage Full-Set Marker Holder stores up to 360 markers horizontally. Specialized storage solutions are also available for collections such as OLO™ markers and Stampin' Blends®.
Make the Most of Your Marker Storage
Finding your markers should be easy! No more digging through drawers or searching for the right shades.
The best marker storage system depends on the brands you use, the size of your collection, and the way you like to create. Whether you prefer keeping your full collection together or organizing your favorite colors for each project, Stamp-n-Storage has solutions to help you find, use, and put away your markers.
With your markers organized and within reach, you can spend less time searching and more time creating!
Shop Marker Storage