Badger Air-Brush Co. (USA) is primarily known for their hardware (the Patriot 105 and Sotar 2020 airbrushes are legends), but they also manufacture their own paint.Crucial context: Badger paints are often hidden gems. They are chemically distinct from Vallejo or Createx. Most notably, Badger produces Stynylrez, which is widely considered the best water-based primer in existence, even by people who use other brands of paint.1. The "Stynylrez" Primer (The Industry Leader)If you buy only one liquid product from Badger, this is it.Name Origin: A mashup of "Styrene, Nylon, Resin." It is designed to stick to these hard-to-paint plastics.Chemistry: Acrylic polyurethane hybrid.The "Killer" Feature: Self-leveling. You can spray it on thick, and it shrinks down tight as it dries, preserving tiny details on miniatures.Durability: Unlike soft acrylic primers (like Vallejo Surface Primer) which can peel when sanded, Stynylrez dries hard. You can sand it to a feather edge without it tearing.Application:Nozzle: Needs a 0.5mm nozzle. It is thick. If you use a 0.2mm or 0.3mm, it will clog unless you use very high pressure (30+ PSI).Thinning: Do not thin. It is designed to be sprayed straight. Thinning it breaks the polyurethane bond.2. The "Minitaire" Line (Wargaming)Badger's answer to Citadel/Games Workshop, but pre-thinned for airbrushes.Target Audience: Warhammer 40k, D&D, and miniature painters.Chemistry: Water-based acrylic.Consistency: Pre-thinned. It is ready to spray right out of the bottle.Sub-Line: "Ghost Tints" (The Candy):These are transparent candy colors.Usage: You paint a sword silver/chrome, then spray "Ghost Tint Blue" over it. It creates a glowing, magical metallic blue effect instantly. They are a cheat code for "power weapons" and "plasma coils."Durability: Extremely tough. Designed to be handled by gamers moving pieces around a board.3. The "Modelflex" Line (Scale Modeling)The railroad and military modeler's choice.Target Audience: Model trains, tanks, and planes.Chemistry: Water-based acrylic.Colors: Historical accuracy. They focus on exact matches for "Railroad Tie Brown," "Santa Fe Red," or specific military camouflage codes.Behavior: Rapid drying (12-15 minutes).Adhesion: Excellent on smooth plastic (Styrene) without needing harsh solvents.4. The "Spectra-Tex" Line (Textile & General)The competitor to Createx Classic.Target Audience: T-Shirt artists and general illustrators.Chemistry: Soft-body acrylic.Finish: Soft hand. Like Createx, it feels flexible on fabric so the T-shirt doesn't feel like cardboard.Opacity: High. Designed to cover varying backgrounds.Airbrushing: Very forgiving. It doesn't experience "tip dry" as badly as the polyurethane lines (Stynylrez).5. The "Air-Opaque" Line (Illustration)The "ink-like" acrylic.Target Audience: Commercial illustrators working on board or paper.Consistency: Very thin, high pigment load.Pre-Reduced: Guaranteed to not clog even fine needles (0.2mm).Best For: Technical illustration, gradient work, and retouching. It is arguably the closest thing Badger makes to Golden High Flow.6. Summary ChecklistStynylrez Primer: Polyurethane / Sandable & hard / Needs 0.5mm nozzle / Best primer on the market.Minitaire: Wargaming / Pre-thinned / Ghost tints / Best for miniatures.Modelflex: Scale modeling / Historical colors / Fast drying / Best for trains & tanks.Spectra-Tex: Textile / Soft hand / Flexible / Best for T-shirts.Air-Opaque: Illustration / Thin & opaque / Non-clogging / Best for paper & board.

Createx (Connecticut, USA) is the world’s largest airbrush paint manufacturer. Unlike Golden (which focuses on fine art) or Tamiya (which focuses on models), Createx dominates the custom painting world: T-Shirts, automotive customizing, helmets, and cosplay.Crucial note: Createx sells several lines that look similar but behave totally differently. Beginners often buy the "Classic" line for plastic models and fail because it is designed for T-shirts. You must choose the right line.1. The "Classic" Line (Createx Airbrush Colors)The textile paint. Look for the blue label with the rainbow text.Binder: Soft acrylic resin.Key Feature: Soft hand. When it dries on fabric, it feels soft and flexible, not like a stiff plastic patch.Best For: T-Shirts, leather, denim.Airbrushing:Nozzle: Requires a 0.5mm nozzle (Large). The pigment is coarse.Pressure: Needs higher pressure (40+ PSI).Hard surfaces? NO. If you spray this on plastic or metal without additives, it will peel off like a rubber skin. It is not designed for hard surfaces.2. The "Wicked" Line (The Industry Standard)The "do-it-all" paint. Look for the black label with the "W" logo.Binder: Durable acrylic-urethane hybrid.Key Feature: Multi-surface. It works on both T-shirts and car hoods.Pigment: Finer grind than the Classic line.Airbrushing:Nozzle: Sprays well through 0.3mm (Standard).Wicked Detail Series: A sub-line with even finer pigment for 0.2mm nozzles.Best For: Automotive murals, motorcycle helmets, surfboards, 3D printed props, and T-shirts.3. The "Illustration" Line (Fine Art)The direct competitor to Golden High Flow/Dr. Ph. Martin's.Chemistry: Re-wettable resin.The "Killer" Feature: Erasability. Unlike Wicked (which locks down hard instantly), Illustration Colors stay "open" and soft for about 48 hours. You can use an electric eraser or a scalpel to scratch out highlights (hair, whiskers, reflections) without peeling the paint.Consistency: Water-thin.Best For: Photorealism, portraiture, and intricate detail on hard surfaces.4. The "Candy 2o" Line (True Candy)The only water-based true candy on the market.Chemistry: Aniline dye in a resin base.Appearance: 100% transparent.Usage: Must be sprayed over a metallic base (silver/gold). The light hits the silver, bounces back through the colored dye, and creates a glowing "depth" effect.Warning: Must be mixed with 4050. You cannot spray Candy 2o straight. You must mix it with the "4050 Gloss Clear" carrier to give it body, otherwise it bleeds.5. The Chemistry System (Reducers & Additives)Createx is a "modular" system. You mix things into the paint to change its behavior.4011 Reducer (The Standard Thinner):Use this to thin all Createx paints. It contains a mild solvent to break surface tension.Note: 4012 is discontinued. Use 4011.4030 Balancing Clear (The Hardener):The secret weapon. If you mix 10% of this into "Classic" Createx, it turns it into automotive-grade paint. It makes the soft resin hard and durable.4050 UVLS Gloss (The Carrier):A heavy gloss clear. Use it as a topcoat OR mix it with Candy 2o to create the paint body.6. Summary ChecklistClassic Createx (Blue Label): Soft resin / Large pigment / Best for T-shirts / Needs 0.5mm nozzle.Wicked Colors (Black Label): Urethane hybrid / Best for helmets & auto / Standard 0.3mm nozzle.Illustration Colors: Re-wettable / Erasable / Best for portraits & realism.Candy 2o: Transparent dye / Needs 4050 mix / Best for "candy" paint jobs.4011 Reducer: The standard thinner for everything.4030 Additive: Mix this in to make the paint stick to plastic/metal better.

Dr. Ph. Martin's (USA) is an industry standard for liquid color. While other brands make paint that you have to thin down, Dr. Ph. Martin's specializes in color that comes ready-to-use in a dropper bottle.Crucial Context: Their product lines look identical (same glass bottle, same dropper), but the chemistry inside is completely different. You must choose based on lightfastness (will it fade?) and waterproofness (can I paint over it?).1. The "Radiant" Series (The Classic)The most famous product, but also the most dangerous for fine artists.Product: Radiant concentrated watercolor.Chemistry: Dye-based.Appearance: Unmatched brilliance. Because they are dyes, the colors are neon-bright and completely transparent. They look like stained glass.The "Trap": Fugitive (not lightfast). These colors will fade if exposed to sunlight.Best For: Illustration for reproduction (scanning), comics, and design work where the original art lives in a drawer.Airbrushing: Excellent. No clogging (because it's a dye, not pigment). Sprays through the finest needles (0.15mm) effortlessly.2. The "Hydrus" Series (Fine Art)The archival replacement for Radiant.Product: Hydrus fine art watercolor.Chemistry: Pigment-based.Difference: Unlike Radiant, these use actual pigments. They are lightfast and archival.Trade-Off: They are slightly less neon-bright than Radiant, but they won't fade.Behavior: Rewettable. If they dry in the airbrush cup, you can re-dissolve them with water (just like traditional watercolor).Airbrushing: Sprays well, but because it contains pigment particles, you need to clean your needle more often than with Radiant.3. The "Bombay" Series (India Ink)The waterproof powerhouse.Product: Bombay India ink.Chemistry: Acrylic/shellac hybrid.Key Feature: Waterproof. Once it dries, it's permanent. You can wash watercolor or markers over it without it bleeding.Opacity: Most colors are transparent (except black and white, which are opaque).Airbrushing:Performance: Incredible for glazing.Warning: Tip dry. Because it dries waterproof, you must keep the airbrush wet. If it dries inside the gun, you will need a specialized cleaner to dissolve it. Water won't work.4. The "Spectralite" Series (Liquid acrylic)The direct competitor to Golden High Flow.Product: Spectralite Private Collection.Chemistry: Liquid acrylic.Finish: Glossy.Adhesion: Sticks to anything—plastic, metal, wood, and glass.Best For: Painting on non-porous surfaces (like model kits or 3D prints) where watercolor would bead up.Airbrushing: Works perfectly without thinning. It is essentially a pre-thinned acrylic paint.5. The "Iridescent" Series (Calligraphy)The "Liquid Metal" for airbrushes.Product: Iridescent Calligraphy Color.Appearance: Heavy metallic shimmer.Airbrush Warning: Nozzle size matters. The mica particles (sparkles) are large. You need a 0.35mm or 0.5mm nozzle. If you try to spray this through a 0.2mm detail brush, it will clog instantly.6. Summary ChecklistRadiant: Dye / Not lightfast / Transparent / Best for scanned art.Hydrus: Pigment / Lightfast / Re-wettable / Best for fine art watercolor.Bombay: India ink / Waterproof / Transparent / Best for outlining & glazing.Spectralite: Liquid acrylic / Waterproof / Glossy / Best for plastic & metal.Iridescent: Metallic / Heavy shimmer / Needs 0.5mm nozzle / Best for special effects.

Golden Artist Colors (USA) is widely considered the premier manufacturer of professional acrylics.Crucial note: "High Flow" is the direct replacement for the discontinued "Golden Airbrush Colors." It is a massive upgrade in versatility. While it is designed for airbrushes, it is formulated to behave like an Ink that never fades, bridging the gap between drawing and painting.1. The Consistency (The "Ink-Like" Acrylic)This is the most important characteristic to understand.Viscosity: Water-thin. It has the consistency of skim milk or ink.The Difference:Golden Heavy Body: Like toothpaste.Golden Fluid: Like heavy cream.Golden High Flow: Like water.The Benefit: It travels straight from the bottle into an airbrush cup without needing to be thinned down with water. It solves the #1 problem of airbrushing: "guessing the mixing ratio."2. Performance in AirbrushesNozzle Compatibility:0.5mm - 0.3mm (Standard): Sprays perfectly straight from the bottle.0.2mm - 0.15mm (Ultra Fine): May require a few drops of Flow Improver or High Flow Medium. While the pigment is ground fine enough to pass, the acrylic resin dries fast and can cause "tip dry" on tiny needles.Tip Dry (The Main Enemy):Because High Flow is 100% acrylic polymer (not a dye), it forms a tough plastic film quickly.The Fix: Keep a wet paintbrush handy to wipe the needle tip every few minutes, or mix in a drop of Golden Airbrush Medium to slow the drying time.Opacity:The label clearly marks each bottle as Opaque, Semi-Transparent, or Transparent.Note: The transparent colors (like quinacridone) are incredible for "candy" coats and glazing over metallic bases.3. Compatibility & MediumsGolden High Flow is part of a "system." You can modify it for specific surfaces.Golden Airbrush Medium:Use this to extend the paint (make it more transparent) without making it runny. It also acts as a retarder to prevent clogging.GAC 900 (Fabric Medium):The Killer Combo: Mix High Flow 1:1 with GAC 900 to spray on T-shirts or denim.Heat Set: Once dry, iron it. It becomes completely soft and washable (unlike standard screen printing ink which feels thick).High Flow Medium:A clear binder used to create your own transparent glazes.4. Versatility (beyond the airbrush)The reason High Flow is more popular than the old "Airbrush Colors" is that it works in pens.Refillable Markers: You can pour this paint directly into empty Molotow, Montana, or Angelus markers. It flows perfectly through felt tips.Dip Pens: It is the only acrylic that works with traditional calligraphy nibs without clogging instantly.Technical Pens: It works in Rapido-Graph style technical pens for architectural drawing.5. Summary ComparisonVs. Inks: Inks are dyes (fade in sunlight). High Flow is pigment (archival/lightfast).Vs. Golden Fluid: Fluid is too thick to spray without 50% thinner. High Flow is ready to spray.Vs. Createx: Createx is thicker and rubbery (better for T-shirts out of the box). Golden High Flow is harder and thinner (better for illustration, fine art, and hard surfaces).Summary ChecklistConsistency: Water-thin (ink-like).Binder: 100% acrylic polymer (permanent).Airbrush Ready: Yes (0.3mm+).Tip Dry: Moderate (Use Flow Improver for fine detail).Fabric Use: Mix with GAC 900.Best For: Illustration, refilling markers, fine art airbrushing.

Jacquard Products (California, USA) is a chemical manufacturer first and an art supply brand second. They are famous for specialty chemistries. While Createx dominates the T-shirt/automotive world, Jacquard dominates two specific niches: Custom sneakers and silk painting.Crucial note: Jacquard makes several liquid lines. You must distinguish between their "Airbrush Color" (which is a paint) and "Dye-Na-Flow" (which mimics a dye).1. Jacquard Airbrush Color (The sneaker paint)The cult favorite for customizing Nikes and leather jackets.Binder: Fluid acrylic.Key Feature: Adhesion to leather & vinyl. While most acrylics peel off flexible leather, Jacquard is formulated to bite into vinyl and leather without cracking when the shoe creases.Consistency: Slightly thicker than Golden High Flow but thinner than Createx.Airbrushing:Nozzle: Sprays best through 0.5mm (especially Metallics).Transparents: Can pass through 0.2mm nozzles if thinned slightly.Pressure: Low pressure friendly (~20-40 PSI).The "Sneaker Series": A specific sub-line of colors (like "Gamma Blue" or "Volt") designed to match popular factory sneaker colorways exactly.Best For: Custom sneakers (leather/synthetic), vinyl toys, and leather jackets.2. Dye-Na-Flow (The "Faux Dye")The fabric painter's secret weapon.Chemistry: High-flow acrylic.The "Killer" Feature: Zero hand. "Hand" refers to the feeling of paint on fabric. Dye-Na-Flow sinks into the fiber like a dye rather than sitting on top like a plastic skin. You cannot feel it once dry.Consistency: Water-thin. It flows exactly like water.Airbrushing:Performance: A dream to spray. No clogging. Works in 0.2mm detail brushes effortlessly.Technique: Perfect for "sun printing" or Batik effects on silk and cotton.Fixing: Must be heat set (ironed) to become washable.Best For: Silk painting, T-shirts (where you want breathability), and unprimed canvas.3. Piñata Colors (alcohol inks)The "Hard Surface" specialist.Chemistry: Alcohol-based dye.Surface: Non-porous only. Glass, metal, plastic, ceramic, Yupo paper.Appearance: Intense, gem-like transparency.Airbrushing:Warning: Fumes. You are spraying alcohol into the air. You must wear a respirator and have ventilation.Effect: Creates incredible "galaxy" or stone textures because the alcohol evaporates instantly, freezing the liquid in swirls.Clean Up: Water does nothing. You must clean your gun with alcohol or their proprietary clean-up solution.Best For: Resin art, tumblers, glass ornaments, and Yupo paper.4. Lumiere (liquid metallic)While sold as a brush paint, it is often airbrushed.Finish: Heavy metallic / Pearlescent.Airbrushing: Difficult. The mica flakes (sparkles) are huge.Requirement: You need a 0.5mm nozzle minimum. If you try to spray this through a fine detail brush, you will pack the nozzle with glitter cement instantly.Best For: Cosplay armor and adding shimmer to fabric.5. Summary ChecklistJacquard Airbrush Color: Fluid acrylic / Best for sneakers & leather / Flexible / 0.5mm nozzle.Dye-Na-Flow: Water-thin acrylic / Zero hand / Best for silk & T-shirts / 0.2mm nozzle.Piñata Colors: Alcohol dye / Fumes / Transparent / Best for glass & resin.Lumiere: Heavy metallic / Clogs fine tips / Best for cosplay armor.Varnish: Jacquard offers a specific Airbrush Varnish essential for protecting sneaker art from scuffs.

Magic Color is a favorite among European illustrators and designers. It is technically an acrylic ink, not a traditional "paint."The key difference: Unlike Dr. Ph. Martin's Radiant (which is dye and fades), Magic Color is pigment based and waterproof when dry. It combines the fluidity of watercolor with the permanence of acrylic.1. The Main Line (Standard Colors)The "Workhorse" Ink.Consistency: Water-thin. It flows exactly like water.Binder: Acrylic polymer.Key Feature: Waterproof. Once it dries, it is permanent. You can wash watercolors or markers over it without it bleeding or lifting.Pigment: High quality and generally lightfast (except for the fluorescent range).Airbrushing:Nozzle: Sprays effortlessly through the finest nozzles (0.15mm - 0.2mm). It is virtually clog-free because it has no heavy fillers.Pressure: Requires low pressure (10–15 PSI).Packaging: Comes in glass bottles with a built-in pipette (dropper), making it easy to fill the airbrush cup without mess.2. The Specialty RangesProcess Colors (CMYK):Usage: Specifically calibrated Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, and Key (black) for print reproduction work.Mixing: You can mix these four to create almost any other color.Fluorescent (Neon):Warning: Like all fluorescent paints, these are not lightfast. They will fade if exposed to direct sunlight over time. Use them for reproduction art (scanning) or indoor portfolios only.Metallic (Gold/Silver/Copper):Base: Contains mica particles.Airbrush Tip: Unlike the standard colors, these need a slightly larger nozzle (0.3mm or 0.35mm) to prevent the metallic flakes from clogging the tip.3. Versatility (The "Pen & Brush" Ink)Because it is an ink, it works in tools that thicker paints ruin.Technical Pens: You can fill Rotring or Rapidograph pens with Magic Color. It flows smoothly and won't clog if you cap the pen properly.Dip Pens: Excellent for calligraphy. It gives crisp, sharp hairlines that are waterproof.Ruling Pens: The standard choice for architectural ruling because it doesn't bleed on vellum.4. ComparisonsVs. Dr. Ph. Martin's Radiant: Magic Color is waterproof and pigmented (won't fade). Radiant is non-waterproof dye (fades).Vs. Dr. Ph. Martin's Bombay: They are nearly identical. Both are waterproof acrylic inks. Magic Color is more common in the UK/Europe; Bombay is more common in the USA.Vs. Golden High Flow: Golden High Flow is an acrylic paint made to act like ink. Magic Color is a true ink. In practice, they behave very similarly, but Golden has a wider color range and is more matte.Summary ChecklistConsistency: Water-thin ink.Binder: Acrylic (waterproof when dry).Nozzle Size: 0.2mm (Standard colors) / 0.35mm (Metallics).Lightfast: Yes (Standard) / No (Fluorescent).Best For: Illustration, technical pens, fine detail airbrushing.Packaging: Glass bottle with dropper.

Schmincke (Germany) is synonymous with "heritage quality." They are best known for their Mussini oils and Horadam watercolors. Their airbrush line, Aero Color, is widely considered the most sophisticated liquid acrylic in Europe.Crucial note: Unlike Createx (which is heavy/rubbery for T-shirts), Aero Color is a pigmented acrylic ink. It is water-thin, smells pleasant, and dries to a tough, satin finish. It is a direct competitor to Golden High Flow.1. The Consistency (The "Ink" Acrylic)This is not paint; it is liquid pigment.Viscosity: Water-thin. It sprays through the finest German airbrushes (0.15mm Harder & Steenbeck) without thinning.Binder: 100% acrylic emulsion.Adhesion: Exceptionally high. It sticks to paper, canvas, and prepared plastics.Key Feature: No shake (almost). Because the pigment grinding is so fine, it doesn't separate into a hard rock at the bottom like heavy paints. A quick shake is all it takes.2. The "Total Cover" Line (The Opaques)The solution to the "transparent ink" problem.Identifier: Look for the black label on the bottle.The Problem: Most acrylic inks (Standard Aero Color) are transparent. They look weak on dark backgrounds.The Solution: Total cover. This sub-line uses a specialized opaque binder and pigment load. It covers black surfaces completely.Best For: Painting opaque highlights over dark airbrush gradients, or covering mistakes.3. The "Candy" Line (The Archival Surprise)The only true lightfast candy paint on the market.Identifier: Look for the white label.The Difference:Createx Candy 2o: Aniline dye. (Vibrant, but can fade).Schmincke Candy: Transparent pigment.The Benefit: It gives you the "candy" look (glowing, transparent color over metal) but with lightfastness. It is archival and will not fade in sunlight like dye-based candies.Usage: Spray over silver or gold to create "ghost" flames or metallic colors.4. The "Liner" System (Make Your Own Marker)Schmincke doesn't sell pre-filled markers; they sell the technology.Product: Aero Color Liners.The Concept: Empty marker bodies (ranging from 0.8mm to 6mm) that are chemically engineered to handle Aero Color paint.Usage: You mix your own custom color in the pipette bottle, pour it into the liner, and screw it shut.Benefit: You now have a matching marker for your airbrush work. If you spray a purple gradient, you can use the purple marker to outline it perfectly.5. Summary ChecklistStandard Aero Color: Water-thin / Transparent / Best for illustration.Total Cover (Black Label): Opaque / Best for dark backgrounds.Candy (White Label): Transparent pigment / Lightfast / Best for metallic glazing.Liners: Empty markers / Refillable / Best for outlining.Smell: Pleasant (unlike solvent paints).Nozzle Size: Sprays through 0.15mm (ultra fine) straight from the bottle.