What an Empty Marker Is
Empty markers are professional-grade markers sold without ink, ready to be customized. Technically, they consist of a plastic reservoir, a paint delivery system (pump-action or squeeze), and an exchangeable tip. Their primary function is to give the writer the freedom to create a custom tool by choosing the density, color, and permanence of the paint or ink. Unlike standard markers, refillable markers allow for experimentation with custom mixes and for adapting the marker's performance to the surface type.
Grog's Empty Markers: Pro Choice
Grog, an Italian brand, specializes in the production of empty markers. Grog empty markers are distinguished by the materials and engineering of their components. The bodies are made from plastics resistant to aggressive solvents, while the valves are designed to ensure a consistent flow. The Grog EPT (Empties, Parts & Tools) series is engineered as a modular system: each body is compatible with various Marker Tips & Parts, allowing for a high degree of customization.
Pump System Empty Markers Guide
Empty markers with a pump-action system are designed for flow control. The technical mechanism is simple: pressing the tip against a surface opens an internal valve, saturating the nib with a controlled amount of ink or paint. This system prevents accidental spills and ensures clean, uniform strokes, ideal for both sketching and outdoor tags. They are perfect for low-viscosity inks or fluid acrylic paints. Models like the Grog Cutter 08 Empty and the Grog Cutter 15 Empty are classic examples of this system, offering a perfect balance between flow and control, making them ideal as refillable paint pens.
Squeezer Empty Markers Guide
Empty squeezers differ from other empty markers in their paint delivery system. Instead of a pump valve, they use a simplified regulator, a small plastic spring inside the tip assembly. When the body is squeezed and the nib is pressed, this springed seat opens and releases a high volume of ink to the fiber, creating those signature squeezer drips. This makes them the tool of choice for high-impact tags, drips, and for those seeking a more aggressive aesthetic. The Grog Squeezer 10 Empty and Grog Squeezer Mini 20 Empty models are a benchmark in their category, perfect for being loaded with high-staining inks for permanent tags.
How to Refill Empty Markers
The procedure for how to fill empty markers is straightforward. To open the marker, unscrew the tip housing or, on squeezers, pull the tip straight out. If it’s tight, use pliers with a cloth in between to avoid marks or deformation. Thread direction note: some empty markers (e.g., Grog Cutter, Uni Paint) open clockwise, while others open counterclockwise. If unsure, try both directions without forcing. Slowly fill the reservoir with the chosen Marker Refill using a Grog Refiller. It is crucial not to fill it completely, but to leave at least 20% of empty space for air, especially in squeezers, to allow for proper compression and prevent leaks. Reassemble the parts you removed earlier. If it’s a pump-action marker, prime the tip on a test surface until the nib is saturated. Then close the marker with its cap. At this point, your DIY marker is ready.
Mixing Inks for Your Empty Markers
One of the main advantages of empty markers is the ability to create unique ink mixes. One can mix different shades of the same ink type to achieve custom colors, or add solvents and and additives such as Grog Booster 08 SKI to alter viscosity and permanence. The fundamental technical rule is to never mix inks with different chemical bases (e.g., alcohol-based with water-based), as they could react, creating thick compounds that would clog the marker. Experimentation allows for the development of personal "recipes," a secret for many writers who want an inimitable stroke and opacity. These custom markers become a direct extension of one's style.
Inks & Paints for Empty Markers
The choice of refill defines the marker's performance. For empty squeezers, high-staining inks like Grog Buff Proof Ink are ideal for porous surfaces. For smooth surfaces, high-opacity paints like Grog Full Metal Paint or the mirror-finish Grog Mercury Chrome Paint offer a brilliant result. For pump-action markers, which require more fluidity, acrylic paints like the Grog APP line are perfect, available in many mixable colors. The choice between ink and paint depends on the desired effect: ink soaks in and stains the substrate, paint sits on top and provides opaque coverage.
