A market stall runs on stock you can paint, sell and replace without a gap in your table. This workflow shows how to count your POSCA markers, reorder by tip size and colour, and have the next batch arriving before your best-selling colours run dry.
- After each market, count your POSCA markers by tip size and colour, then order the replacements you need together.
- Keep PC-5M medium and PC-3M fine as your core stock; add wider tips only for the products that need them.
- Colour wallets of 8 make restocking faster than buying single markers one at a time.
- Free standard delivery Australia-wide on orders over $149, so one planned batch beats several small orders.
Why restocking needs a workflow
Market stall makers rarely run out of everything at once. You run out of one white, one black or one fine tip, and that single gap stops a whole product line. A repeatable restock routine fixes that.
POSCA markers are used up in two ways: ink runs low, and nibs wear or get damaged on rough surfaces. Both show up in your count if you track them the same way each time.
The result is simple. You reorder what you actually used, not what you guess you used, and you stop paying for rushed top-ups mid-season.
Before you start
- A list of every product you sell that uses markers, with the tip size each one needs.
- Last market's sales notes, even rough ones, so you know which colours moved.
- Access to your usual order account and a planned reorder day, ideally the first working day after each market.
The gotcha: tip size is the number one cause of wrong reorders. A reorder of the right colour in the wrong tip stalls production, so record tip size next to every colour on your list. The POSCA PC-5M is the medium bullet tip and the POSCA PC-3M is the fine bullet tip. They are not interchangeable for detail work.
Set up your stock list
Build one sheet with a row per marker colour and tip size. Keep it simple.
- Open a spreadsheet or notebook and create columns for Colour, Tip size, On hand, Used last market and Reorder level.
- List every marker you paint with, grouped by tip size, so PC-5M rows sit together and PC-3M rows sit together.
- Mark your core colours: the whites, blacks and two or three bestselling shades. These get the highest reorder level.
- Add a row for spares of anything you use for outlines, since outlines tend to drain first.
Expected result: one page that tells you in a minute what you hold and what you have used.
Count after every market
Count during pack-down, while you still remember what ran low.
- Check each marker by name and tip size. Write the number you have left in the On hand column.
- Test any marker that feels light by drawing a short line on scrap card. A faint or broken line means replace it.
- Set aside markers with damaged or flattened nibs. PoscART sells PCR-5NIB replacement nibs for PC-5M markers; these are for PC-5M markers only.
- Subtract from your reorder level to get the quantity needed.
Expected result: a short shopping list built from real use, with no guessing.
Choose how to buy: singles, wallets or sets
The format you pick changes how fast restocking goes.
| Format | Suited to | Trade-off |
|---|---|---|
| Single marker | Topping up one colour you use heavily | More line items on each order |
| Wallet of 8 | Stalls that sell a themed colour range | Includes colours you may not use equally |
| Gift tin of 20 | A full medium-tip palette in one purchase | Larger outlay up front |
| Large storage set | Stalls expanding their range | More stock than a small stall may need |
If your products share a palette, a themed wallet is usually the fastest restock. If your sales swing on two or three colours, singles of those colours are the better buy.
Build your reorder batch
Group everything you need into one order instead of several small ones. Free standard delivery Australia-wide on orders over $149. Planning one batch each cycle helps you reach that threshold without buying things you do not need.
- Start with core colours at your reorder level.
- Add themed wallets for any range you plan to launch at the next market.
- Add PC-5M replacement nibs if those tips are damaged, or storage if you need it.
- Check the total against the delivery threshold and decide whether to add a planned item for the following month.
Expected result: one order, one delivery, and stock back on your table with time to spare. Orders ship with fast dispatch, so schedule your reorder day with a few days of buffer before the next market.
If you want everything sorted and carried together, the POSCA expandable storage caddy kit holds a large assorted collection and keeps tip sizes visible on your table.
Second variant: restock when a product line sells out mid-season
Sometimes a single line takes off and you need more than your normal cycle supplies.
- Pull the colour list for that product only.
- Count what you have against how many items you want to make before the next market.
- Order that list as a top-up, and add the next planned batch to the same order if it brings you over the delivery threshold.
Expected result: the hot line stays on the table, and the rest of your restock stays on schedule.
Troubleshooting
- A colour ran out before the market ended. Raise its reorder level by the amount you ran short, and keep one spare.
- Wrong tip size arrived. Check the tip column on your sheet against the product title before checkout. PC-5M and PC-3M names look alike.
- Markers are fine but lines look weak. Press the nib on scrap card to restart the flow, and replace the marker if the line stays faint.
- Order arrived with no time to paint. Move your reorder day earlier by a few days and treat it as fixed.
- Stock list is out of date. Update the On hand column during pack-down, not the following week.
Customise your workflow
Once the routine runs smoothly, extend it. Add a column for the price you sold each product at so you can see which colours earn their place. Add a seasonal tab for events like Christmas markets, where your palette may change.
If you also sell online, the same count covers both channels. For selling advice beyond restocking, see the guides below.
FAQ
How often should a market stall restock POSCA markers?
Restock after every market, based on your count. That keeps the order sized to real use and avoids emergency top-ups before the next event.
Which POSCA tip size suits a market stall?
The PC-5M medium bullet tip and PC-3M fine bullet tip cover most stall products. Use PC-5M for fills and bolder lines, and PC-3M for detail and outlines.
Are wallets of 8 better than single markers?
Wallets suit themed ranges where you use most of the colours. Singles suit stalls that rely on a few heavily used shades.
Is there free delivery on restock orders?
Free standard delivery Australia-wide on orders over $149. Planning one batch per cycle makes it easier to reach that threshold.
How do I know a marker needs replacing?
Draw a short line on scrap card. A faint or broken line after pressing the nib means replace it. For a damaged PC-5M tip, PCR-5NIB replacement nibs are available separately.
Can I order in bulk for a larger stall?
Yes. Bulk quotes are available for larger quantities. Send your colour and tip size list so the quote matches your restock sheet.
What is the quickest way to store markers at a stall?
Use a storage caddy or case sorted by tip size, so you can see what is running low at a glance during the day.
One last thing
The most useful column on your sheet is the one you add last: Colour used up first. After three markets, it tells you which two or three shades to buy in doubles every time, and that single habit prevents most mid-market gaps.
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