Copic Ciao Markers

Ciao markers are available in 180 colours. They have a brush nib, a chisel nib, and a circular barrel.

They are smaller than Copic's other markers and are marketed as a more affordable option.

Copic colour system

The Copic color system identifies and categorizes ink colours by using short colour codes. Such codes can be found on the base of any marker, as well as on the caps of classic and sketch markers. 

Copic colour wheel

The letter(s) on a marker represents the colour family it falls into. There are currently 16 Copic marker colour families: 

Chromatic colours (and fluorescent colour)

• R – red
• B – blue
• Y – yellow
• G – green
• V – violet (purple)
• YR – yellow-red (orange)
• BG – blue-green (teal/turquoise)
• YG – yellow-green family
• BV – blue-violet
• RV – red-violet (pink)
• E – earth tones (brown)
• F – fluorescent/neon colours

Gray tones

• N – neutral gray
• C – cool gray
• W – warm gray
• T – toner gray

Achromatic colours

• 1 – black Copic markers are represented by number only: 100, and 110 for special (rich) black.
• 0 – colourless blender markers are coded with a single 0 as they contain alcohol-based fluid with no pigment.

Colour saturation (blending group)

Following the letter is the first number. The first digit represents the level of saturation of the Copic marker. This number ranges between 0- 9, with 0 being the purest form of colour and 9 being most desaturated (with the highest level of gray). 

Colour value (shade/intensity)

The last digit(s) on Copic markers represent a marker's colour intensity (aka how bright that colour is). These numbers are split between 12 levels (000, 00 and 0-9). Markers that fall closer to the 0 range are lighter in value, and become darker the closer they shift toward 9. Markers that are 000 and 00 in nature are often more transparent as they have a higher concentration of colourless blender alcohol-based fluid.