It is not hard to differentiate between a chisel tip and a fine tip as you can physically see in their size and shape how different these two marker tips are.
Fine point tip pens have a small round tip, while a chisel tip appears larger, and is angled with a flat side and a pointed tip.
They also differ on how they are used, and how they are best utilized.
- Fin point tip pens offer precision and are best for writing text, adding details, drawing line art, and doodling.
- Chisel tip markers offer versatility, and they can be used for highlighting, coloring, calligraphy, and may even function as a fine point pen with proper control.
A lot of markers such as alcohol pens, calligraphy pens, and highlighters are dual-ended where these two tips would be present at either end.
To know how you can utilize each tip in the best way, I have provided a comprehensive explanation of the fine tip and chisel tip below.
What Is A Fine Tip?
A fine point tip is characterized by its small round tip that creates thin, uniformed strokes. This tip is the usual tip used in most pens that are primarily for writing and doodling such as technical pens that architects use.
Fin point tip pens offer precision and are best for writing text, adding details, drawing line art, and doodling.
What Are Fine Tip Markers Used For?
👉 Writing text
Fine tip markers are the best marker tip to use when you are writing text because they produce precise lines needed for letters. If you’re fond of journaling, fine tip markers would definitely be beneficial for writing down journal entries.
Aside from that, fine tip markers are also used by many students for writing down and organizing their notes. It’s useful for labeling sections, emphasizing certain words, drawing banners, boxes, doodles, etc. So if you’re a student, definitely keep one in your pen case all the time!
If you are a comic artist, you may also use fine tip markers for writing captions in your comics, and adding in your characters’ lines.
👉 Adding details
Fine tip markers are best for adding fine details to drawings because it creates lines with precision. Numerous artists use fine tip markers for drawings like adding patterns to clothing such as a checkered skirt, polka dots, florals, or other patterns that require precision and consistency of strokes.
You can also use a fine tip marker for adding detailed shadows on hair, fur, etc.
👉 Lineart and Doodling
Fine tip markers are the best markers to use for drawing your line art as it creates lines with consistent and precise strokes. A lot of comic artists finalize their sketches using fine point markers. Many architects also use fine tip markers to finalize their plates.
A fine tip marker can also be used for adding doodles or small minimalist details to your bullet journal, or any art that you make. If you want to draw small icons for your artwork, or if you’re just into doodling in general, a fine tip marker is definitely your best friend!
What Is A Chisel Tip?
A chisel tip marker is characterized by its angled tip where there is a larger, flat side, and a smaller, pointed tip. A chisel tip is a usual tip in most highlighters and even alcohol markers.
With a chisel tip marker, you can create various sizes of strokes depending on how you hold or position your pen against the paper when drawing.
Chisel tip markers offer versatility, and they can be used for highlighting, shading, coloring, calligraphy, and may even function as a fine point pen with proper control.
What Are Chisel Tip Markers Used For?
👉 Highlighting text
Chisel tip markers can be used to highlight texts whether you’re writing them down yourself, or if you’re highlighting from a book or your notes. Using its larger, flat surface, you can create a thicker stroke to cover a larger area that is perfect for highlighting.
A lot of bullet journal artists would find chisel tip markers useful to create different strokes around their pages and highlight their text.
👉 Shading and coloring
Chisel tip markers are best for shading and coloring small and large areas in drawings. Using its larger, flat surface, its thicker strokes can cover a larger area within just one stroke and will achieve the coloring task efficiently.
You can also use your chisel tip marker for creating shadows in your drawings.
👉 Calligraphy
Chisel tip markers can also be used for calligraphy! Though it might be a bit challenging for beginners to control, a lot of calligraphy artists actually love using chisel tip markers for their works.
A chisel tip marker is convenient for calligraphy artists as it already has a flat side for creating thicker downward strokes, and a pointed side for creating thinner upward strokes. With proper control and practice, both sides can be used interchangeably in a seamless manner to create calligraphy.
Here’s A Summary Of What Each Pen Tip Is Best Used For:
| Fine Tip Marker | Chisel Tip Marker |
| Writing text | Highlighting text |
| Adding details | Shading and coloring |
| Lineart and Doodling | Calligraphy |
Of course, this doesn’t mean that you cannot use the other marker tip for other purposes. This is merely our suggestion of how you can best utilize a fine tip versus a chisel tip.
Do remember that as an artist, you’re free to use whatever tool you have available according to your own technique and style.
A lot of markers are now dual-ended, which means they have two different marker tips for each end. So, always feel free to explore how you can use the tools available to you.
Here’s a bonus! Other than the fine tip and chisel tip, there are also other marker tips for artists to use.
What Are The Different Marker Tips?
#1 Brush tip – a brush tip is characterized by its brush-like tip that resembles a paintbrush with a thick base or belly that thins out to its ends, except that it’s already loaded with ink.
It offers versatility as it can create various strokes depending on the pressure you apply on it upon writing.
A brush tip is a popular choice among calligraphy artists as it can create both thick and thin strokes. A lot of alcohol markers also have a brush tip at one end as it is efficient for blending colors when using alcohol markers.
#2 Bullet tip – a bullet tip is characterized by its round tip that creates a uniformed stroke and it is common for most marker sets such as sharpies.
Some of you might confuse a bullet tip and a fine tip. A bullet tip is a little bit thicker than a fine tip and releases more ink in one stroke.
Similar to a fine tip, it may be used for line art and doodling. However, a bullet tip is more prone to bleeding especially when it is used with too much pressure. It can also be used to color smaller areas.
#3 Fine tip – A fine point tip is characterized by its small round tip that creates thin, uniform strokes. This tip is the usual tip used in most pens that are primarily for writing and doodling such as technical pens that architects use.
Fin point tip pens offer precision and are best for writing text, adding details, drawing line art, and doodling.
#4 Chisel tip – A chisel tip marker is characterized by its angled tip where there is a larger, flat side, and a smaller, pointed tip. This tip is the usual tip in most highlighters and even alcohol markers.
With a chisel tip marker, you can create various sizes of strokes depending on how you hold or position your pen against the paper when drawing.
Chisel tip markers offer versatility, and they can be used for highlighting, shading, coloring, calligraphy, and may even function as a fine point pen with proper control.
