Copic Ciao 72 Colors Set B review: premium refillable alcohol markers

The Copic Ciao 72 Colors Set B stands out to me because it is not simply a large box of random colors. The palette is built around darker shades, mid-tones, earthy colors, and neutrals that are especially useful when an illustration needs more depth, contrast, and smoother transitions between light and shadow.

Each marker has two working ends: a flexible Super Brush nib and a Medium Broad nib. The brush side is the one I would reach for most often for expressive coloring, tapered strokes, blending, and controlled shading, while the broad side is useful for more consistent lines and filling larger areas.

Another reason this set feels different from many cheaper alcohol-marker bundles is that Ciao markers are refillable and the nibs are replaceable. That makes the 72-marker set easier to think of as a long-term art system rather than something you discard when a favorite color runs dry.

Who it is for

I think Set B makes the most sense for artists, illustrators, manga and comic artists, coloring enthusiasts, and experienced hobbyists who already know they enjoy working with alcohol markers.

The color selection is particularly important. This set combines the Copic Ciao 36C and 36D collections, so it leans more heavily into dark colors, mid-tones, muted shades, earth tones, and neutrals. Those are useful when you want to build shadows, model form, create more natural transitions, or add visual depth instead of relying only on vivid primary colors.

That also means I would not automatically recommend Set B as the first Copic purchase for every beginner. If your priority is a broad spread of familiar bright basics, a more general starter palette may feel easier to use from day one.

What to know before you buy

The biggest consideration is the price. Copic Ciao is positioned as the introductory Copic marker, but a 72-piece set is still a substantial purchase compared with many alcohol-marker alternatives.

What helps justify that premium is the reusable design. The markers can be refilled, and both the Super Brush and Medium Broad nibs can be replaced. If you repeatedly use the same skin tones, grays, blues, or shading colors, being able to refresh individual markers is more practical than replacing an entire set.

The markers use fast-drying, transparent alcohol-based dye ink. That is the behavior most people are looking for when they want smooth layering and blended gradients, but alcohol markers can also be less forgiving on unsuitable paper. For coloring books or sketchbooks, I would still pay attention to paper thickness and protect the page underneath when bleed-through would be a problem.

The round barrel is comfortable and compact, although it does not have the anti-roll shape found on some other marker designs. The included acrylic case is therefore useful for keeping a large 72-color collection organized and visible while you work.

How it compares

Within the Copic range, Ciao is the more approachable entry point compared with Copic Sketch. It still gives you the flexible Super Brush and Medium Broad nib combination, refillable ink, and replaceable nibs, but the Ciao body holds less ink and uses a round barrel.

I see Set B as more of a depth-and-expansion palette than a universal beginner palette. Copic Ciao Set A is weighted more toward commonly used basic colors, vivid tones, blending shades, and essential grays. Set B instead gives you more darker, mid-tone, muted, and neutral choices.

For someone building a serious illustration palette, that distinction is useful. I would choose Set B when shadows, natural colors, nuanced transitions, and dimensional rendering are priorities. If I were buying my first large Copic set and wanted the broadest selection of familiar bright colors, I would compare it closely with Set A before deciding.