If you’ve had blender pens sitting in your drawer and weren’t quite sure what to do with them, you’re not alone. They’re one of those tools that a lot of cardmakers own… but don’t always use to their full potential.
The truth? Blender pens are one of the easiest ways to add color and depth to your projects—without needing a lot of extra supplies or complicated techniques.
In this week’s project, I’m walking you through two simple ways to use blender pens so you can start using what you already have and get beautiful results.
Watch the Full Tutorial
In this video, I’ll show you exactly how to use blender pens with both watercolor pencils and ink pads, plus a few tips to help you avoid common mistakes.
Watch the full tutorial here:
Two Simple Ways to Use Blender Pens
What I love about this technique is how flexible it is. You can use it with different coloring tools and get completely different looks depending on what you choose.
1. Watercolor Pencils + Blender Pens
This is probably the most common way to use blender pens—and for good reason.
Start by adding color with your watercolor pencils. Don’t worry about getting it perfectly smooth or filling in every little space. Then go back over it with your blender pen to soften the lines and blend everything together.
The result is a soft, watercolor look that feels a little more artistic and relaxed.
This is a great option if you like more control over where your color goes.
2. Ink Pads + Blender Pens
This method surprises a lot of people because it’s so simple.
Instead of using pencils, you pick up ink directly from the lid of your ink pad using your blender pen. Then you apply that color straight to your image.
You can go light or build up the color for more depth, and it blends beautifully as you go.
This is perfect when you want quick color without pulling out extra tools.
See the Difference
This is where it really gets fun—because the same basic layout can look completely different depending on how you add your color.
I used both coloring methods on designer series paper and stamped images to show how versatile blender pens really are.
On these versions, I used ink pads with blender pens to add color directly to black and white DSP—no stamping required. I also used that same method on stamped images for a clean, more saturated look.
On these versions, I used watercolor pencils with blender pens on both DSP and stamped images to create a softer, more blended effect.
Same layout. Same tools. Just different ways of using them.
A Few Quick Tips for Success
If you’re new to blender pens, here are a couple of things to keep in mind:
- Use a light touch and build your color slowly
- Clean your pen between colors to avoid muddying
- Don’t over-saturate your paper (this is the biggest mistake)
Once you get the feel for it, this technique becomes second nature.
Want the Measurements?
All the measurements and step-by-step details for these cards are included in this week’s Inspiration Sheet inside the Crafty Collective Inspiration Vault.
If you like having everything laid out for you—cut sizes, layouts, and variations—you’ll love having access to the full library.
Ready to Try It?
If you already have blender pens, pull them out and give this a try. If not, they’re a great addition to your craft room because they work with supplies you probably already own.
Thanks so much for spending a little time crafting with me today. I’d love to hear from you—leave a comment and let me know which method you want to try first.
Stay Crafty 💚