If you’ve got the 240 Guangna acrylic markers, I’ve made a free Guangna 240 colour swatch chart to help you organise your collection and see what those colours actually look like on paper.
Every colour code is already included, so you don’t have to sit there writing out 240 codes yourself. And because practical things can still be cute, the swatches are cloud shaped!
But before we get to the printable, I need to be honest about these markers.
I hate them.
I know that probably isn’t the opening you expected from a post about Guangna swatch cards, but I’m not going to tell you I love a set of pens just because I’ve made something to help you use them.
I bought my first set second hand and initially thought that was the problem. Perhaps they hadn’t been stored properly. Perhaps they were old. Perhaps I’d just ended up with somebody else’s disappointing pens.
Unfortunately, that wasn’t it. My experience with Guangna has continued to be frustrating, particularly when using them in my Colour By Numbers books.
However, if you already own the set, you can still make your collection easier to use. That’s where these free swatch cards come in.
My Honest Opinion of the Guangna Acrylic Markers
My biggest complaint about the Guangna markers is the coverage.
When I’m colouring in Disney Colour By Numbers books, I want the colour to cover the printed numbers. I don’t want to finish a section and still have the number staring back at me through a streaky layer of paint.
In my experience, the Guangna markers don’t give me the coverage I’m looking for even after multiple layers.
Some colours are more frustrating than others, but overall, I find them disappointing for the way I like to colour. Having 240 colours sounds lovely, but a huge choice of shades doesn’t make up for an application I don’t enjoy.
Then there’s what they do to the paper.
I’ve had these markers rough up and damage the surface of my colouring pages, which is particularly annoying when I’m already trying to improve patchy coverage.
Trying to fix an area by working over it again can become a very frustrating cycle. The colour still isn’t looking how I want it to, and now the paper isn’t looking too happy either.
Obviously, this is my experience with the markers and the books I use. If you love your Guangna set, you don’t need my permission to keep enjoying it! But if you’ve been struggling with yours, you’re certainly not the only one.
I Thought Buying Second Hand Was the Problem
When my first set didn’t perform how I expected, I gave Guangna the benefit of the doubt.
Because I’d bought them second hand, I couldn’t be sure what they’d been through before reaching me. It seemed reasonable to think that the condition of that particular set might explain why I wasn’t getting on with them.
But after trying them beyond that first second-hand purchase, I couldn’t keep blaming the previous owner.
For me, the issue wasn’t simply that I’d bought a used set.
I’m glad I checked rather than writing them off immediately, but they still haven’t become markers I enjoy reaching for.
What Helps When Using Guangna Markers?
If you’ve already bought the 240 set, you probably want to get some use out of it.
There are a couple of things that have helped me, although neither has magically turned Guangna into my favourite markers.
Shake Them Really Well
My first tip is to shake the markers thoroughly before using them.
A quick little shake hasn’t been enough for me. Giving them a proper mix is one of the first things I try when the colour looks watery or the coverage seems especially poor.
I’d also test the marker on spare paper before going straight onto your colouring page. That gives you a chance to see how it’s flowing before committing to a section of your picture.
If you use a vortex mixer to help shake your pens, follow the instructions for your equipment and make sure the marker cap is secure.
Gesso Has Helped With My Paper
The other thing that has helped me is preparing the page with gesso.
When the markers are roughing up the paper, I find that gesso helps make the experience more manageable. It hasn’t made me suddenly love the pens, but it has helped with one of my biggest frustrations.
You can find the gesso I use here.
I’d test it on a spare page first, because it can change the feel of the paper and how your markers behave. Let it dry fully according to the product instructions before colouring over it.
It’s an extra step, which is admittedly annoying when you just want to sit down and colour, but it’s something I’ve found useful with these particular markers.
Why Make Swatch Cards for Markers I Don’t Like?
Because owning a set and recommending a set are two different things.
You might already have the Guangna 240 markers. You might absolutely love yours. Or you might be somewhere in the middle, trying to work out which colours you can get on with.
Whatever your experience, having a proper colour reference is useful.
A swatch chart helps you see the actual colour on paper, compare similar shades and find a marker without repeatedly testing half the set beside your colouring book.
It can also help you spot which colours give you the finish you prefer. With a collection this large, I’d much rather have that information in front of me than try to remember it all.
So yes, I can dislike the markers and still make you something useful for them!
Free Guangna 240 Swatch Chart
I’ve created a free printable Guangna 240 colour swatch chart covering the complete 240-colour collection.
The marker codes are already included, so all you need to do is print the cards and colour the matching spaces.
Once you’ve finished, you’ll have a reference showing how your own markers look on the paper you’ve used.
That last part matters. A printed colour chart or a marker lid can give you an idea of a shade, but your own swatches let you see the actual result from the pen in your hand.
Cloud-Shaped Swatches
For this set, I’ve used cloud-shaped swatch spaces.
Each cloud has its corresponding colour code, making it easy to match the swatch to the correct marker when you’re choosing colours.
They’re a cute alternative to a plain grid, and once the cards are filled in, you’ll have a whole collection of colourful little clouds to flip through.
At least the swatches can bring me some joy, even if the markers test my patience.
What’s Included?
The free printable includes 240 labelled cloud-shaped swatch spaces for the Guangna 240 set.
You don’t need to write out the colour codes yourself or design a chart from scratch. I’ve done that part for you.
Print the cards, grab your markers and work through the colours at your own pace. With 240 to swatch, there’s absolutely no requirement to finish them all in one sitting!
How to Use Your Guangna Swatch Cards
The cards are designed to become a handy colour reference that you can keep beside you while you colour.
To make yours:
- Download the free PDF.
- Print the swatch cards onto suitable paper or card.
- Shake each marker thoroughly and test it on spare paper.
- Colour the cloud labelled with the matching marker code.
- Allow the swatches to dry before comparing the colours.
- Cut out the individual cards.
- Punch the marked hole and attach the cards to a binder ring if you’d like to keep them together.
I like being able to flip through individual cards rather than having one enormous sheet taking over my colouring space.
Try to keep your swatching method reasonably consistent, too. If one cloud has a single layer and another has several, that can make it harder to compare the results later.
Download the Free Guangna 240 Swatch Cards
If you already own these markers, the free Guangna 240 swatch cards will help you keep track of your collection and choose colours more easily.
They’re particularly handy when you’re comparing several similar shades and the marker lids aren’t giving you enough information.
Having trouble downloading? Read my printable download troubleshooting guide.
Request a swatch card design
Please note: Requests aren't guaranteed to be created. I'll review your idea and get in touch if it's something I can offer.
🖨️ No Printer? No Problem!
Love these swatch cards but don't want to print and cut them yourself? You can now buy my swatch cards ready-made on TikTok Shop or Etsy, with options from 48 all the way up to 432 colours.
Choose your favourite design:
❤️ Hearts ☁️ Clouds 🦕 Dinosaurs 🦋 Butterflies 🐭 Mickey Heads 🎃 Pumpkins
Got the Languo 144 set? You can also buy my 144 Languo swatch cards already arranged in colour order.
Shop on EtsyJust swatch your pens and start organising your colours! 💕
Show Your Support
I really hope that you've enjoyed the free resources I've created for you! If you'd like to show your support then first of all, thank you! ❤️ Simply visiting the website, downloading my free printables and sharing them with friends means more than you know. If you'd like to support Emma's Hobby Corner even further, here are a few ways you can help:- 📱 Follow me on social media and join me for colouring sessions, product reviews and creative inspiration.
- 💜 Buy me a coffee on Ko-fi if you'd like to help support the time and costs involved in creating free printables, colouring tools and tutorials.
- 🎁 Browse my Amazon Wishlist if you'd like to treat me to something I'll genuinely use when creating new content for the website.
- 🛍️ Use my affiliate links when you spot a product you're planning to buy anyway. It doesn't cost you anything extra, but it helps support Emma's Hobby Corner and allows me to keep creating free resources.
Want Printed Guangna 240 Swatch Cards Delivered?
If you don’t have a printer, or you’d simply prefer to have the cards printed for you, I also offer printed Guangna 240 swatch cards.
You’ll still get to do the satisfying part of colouring in all those little clouds, without sorting out the printing first.
You can order the printed cards through either of these links:
Where to Buy the Guangna 240 Markers
If you’ve read all of that and still want to try them, or you already know you like Guangna and want the 240-colour collection, you can find the set here:
Those are affiliate links, but I wouldn’t personally recommend buying this set specifically for Disney Colour By Numbers based on my experience.
For the way I colour, I much prefer my Languo Acrylic Gel Plus pens and Languo Brush Pro markers.
You can also explore my free Languo Brush Pro 288 colour swatch chart if you own that collection.
Are the Guangna 240 Markers Worth It?
For me, the disappointing coverage and problems with the paper mean these aren’t markers I reach for enthusiastically.
I’ve tried giving them the benefit of the doubt. I’ve tried shaking them thoroughly. Using gesso has helped with the paper, but I still don’t enjoy them enough to give them a glowing recommendation.
However, if you already own the set, I hope these free cloud-shaped Guangna 240 swatch cards help you get more use out of it.
And if you love your Guangna markers, fill those clouds, enjoy your colours and carry on. We don’t all have to love the same pens.
