Ever found yourself in the middle of a project, holding up markers and trying to figure out which color will match your vision perfectly? We’ve all been there, staring at our supplies and feeling that hint of frustration when a color just doesn’t come out the way we imagined. That’s where swatching comes to the rescue. In this post, I'm diving into why swatching your markers, colored pencils, inks, and other coloring media is so essential for any crafter looking to stay organized, improve their coloring skills, and pick colors with ease. Plus, I’ve got a video where I swatch my Triblend Brush Markers to show you exactly how I do it.
What is Swatching, and Why Should You Care?
Swatching is simply the process of testing out your coloring media on paper to see how the colors actually appear. Sounds straightforward, right? But this simple step can make a world of difference in your crafting.
When I first started crafting, I didn’t bother with swatching. I figured I could just look at the marker caps or the color labels and get on with it. But time and time again, I found myself disappointed when a color didn’t turn out the way I expected. It wasn’t until I started swatching that I realized how much better my projects could be. Now, I wouldn’t dream of starting a project without my trusty swatch charts at hand.
Consistency and Accuracy: The True Colors of Your Supplies
One of the most significant benefits of swatching is the ability to see the true color of your supplies on the paper you’ll be using. We’ve all experienced it—buying a new set of markers or colored pencils, only to find that the colors look completely different on paper than they do on the packaging. Sometimes they’re more vibrant, sometimes more muted, and occasionally, they’re just not what we expected at all.
Swatching allows you to get consistent results every time. For instance, I was working on a project that required a soft pastel look. I grabbed what I thought was the perfect shade of pink, only to realize after swatching it that it was much too bright. Luckily, I had my swatch chart handy and quickly found a softer shade that worked perfectly.
Pro Tip: Always swatch your colors on the type of paper you’ll be using for your project. Different papers can absorb ink differently, affecting how the color looks.
Improving Your Coloring Skills Through Swatching
Swatching isn’t just about choosing the right color; it’s also an excellent way to improve your coloring skills. When you swatch, you get to know your supplies better. You’ll start to notice how certain markers blend, how colored pencils layer, and how inks react to different papers.
Take my Triblend Brush Markers, for example. When I first got them, I wasn’t sure how well they’d blend, especially with their three-in-one design. But after swatching each color, I quickly understood how to use them to their full potential. Now, I can achieve smooth, seamless blends without any guesswork.
Pro Tip: Create a gradient or blending swatch for each marker or pencil. This will give you a clear idea of how the colors transition and blend together, making it easier to achieve the look you want in your projects.
Easy Color Selection: Your Cheat Sheet for Crafting Success
Perhaps one of the best things about swatching is how much time it saves when selecting colors. I used to waste so much time testing colors on scrap paper, trying to find just the right shade for my project. But with my swatch charts, all my colors are right there in front of me. It’s like having a personalized color library at my fingertips.
Let me share a quick story. I was in the middle of making a birthday card and needed a specific shade of green for the leaves. Instead of guessing or testing multiple markers, I pulled out my swatch chart, found the exact shade I wanted, and was able to continue crafting without missing a beat. That small step made the whole process smoother and more enjoyable.
Watch Me Swatch My Triblend Brush Markers!
Now that you know the importance of swatching, I want to show you how I swatch my Triblend Brush Markers. I’ve put together a video where I walk you through my process. Whether you’re new to swatching or looking for some tips to improve your technique, this video will give you some helpful insights.
[Insert Video Here]
In the video, you’ll see how I create my swatch chart, label each color, and even include a blending section to see how the markers transition between shades. I encourage you to watch and follow along, creating your own swatch chart as you go.
Additional Benefits of Swatching
Swatching isn’t just about improving your skills or making color selection easier; it’s also a fantastic way to stay organized. I keep all my swatches in a binder, organized by type—markers, colored pencils, inks, you name it. This not only keeps my craft space tidy but also ensures I can always find the color I need when I need it.
And let’s not forget the creative boost you get from swatching. Seeing all your colors laid out in front of you can spark new ideas and inspire you to try color combinations you might not have thought of otherwise. I’ve come up with some of my favorite projects just by flipping through my swatch charts and finding a color combo that caught my eye.
Swatching might seem like a simple, even unnecessary step, but it’s one of the best things you can do to elevate your cardmaking and crafting. Whether you’re just starting or you’ve been crafting for years, swatching your markers, colored pencils, and inks will help you stay organized, improve your coloring skills, and pick the perfect colors every time.
Swatching Video:
So, if you haven’t started swatching yet, now’s the time! Grab your supplies, create your swatch charts, and watch your crafting reach new heights. And don’t forget to share your swatch charts or any swatching tips you have in the comments or on social media—I’d love to see how you’re getting organized and making the most of your coloring media!
Free Swatch Sheet Download:
If you need a swatch I have created a Free PDF printable swatch sheet for you to download and print on your favorite paper. Just be aware that all papers may not be printable on your printer. I have certain papers that will print on my printer and some that I can not get to print where other people have luck printing that paper. If you have problems printing it you may have to have it professionally printed on the paper you want to color on at an office supply store. I've had luck with that also. Just click the download arrow to download the Printable Swatch Sheet to your computer. (Note this is a blank sheet that you need to fill in with your chosen coloring media).
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Materials Used:
Here you will find the list of supplies that I used to create today's card. All supplies are linked to supply sources below. Compensated affiliate links may be used at no cost to you.
Happy Stampin'
Rick Adkins
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