Surfpaints
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2019
- HeadquartersFreshwater, Canada
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
Surfpaints firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Surfpaints
- Legal name
- Surfpaints
- Website
- https://surfpaints.com.au
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2019
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Surfpaints industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Art Supplies
- NAICS
- Paint and Coating Manufacturing (325510)
- SIC
- Pens, Pencils & Other Artists' Materials (3950)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Digital & Specialty Inks (Inkjet, UV, Conductive) (IMAEAHAI)
Keywords
Where Surfpaints is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Freshwater
- HQ country
- Canada
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Surfpaints business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Direct E-commerce Sales: Direct-to-consumer sales through their Shopify-powered e-commerce platform. Products shipped globally from Sydney warehouse with free shipping over $99 USD. Multiple product tiers from individual pens to bulk bundles.
- Wholesale/Bulk Sales: Bulk buy boxes offering better than 50% off RRP for high-volume buyers including schools, workshops, events, and retail businesses. No wholesale account required for limited-time direct access pricing.
- Retail Distribution: Products sold through major Australian retailers including Bunnings. Retail partnerships for in-store availability alongside online sales.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Individual Paint Pens |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | 8-Pack Color Sets |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Fluro 15mm Wide Nib Set |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Studio Kit Full Range |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | 35-Pen Full Range Box |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Essential Bulk Bundle - 192 Markers |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Department Bundle - 350 Markers |
| Unit Pricing | Multi-year contract | Wholesale Bundles |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels6 records
Surfpaints product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Surfpaints manufactures and sells premium Japanese-crafted acrylic paint pens and markers designed for use on multiple surfaces including surfboards, canvas, wood, glass, ceramic, plastic, metal, fabric, and rocks. The pens feature a reversible nib system (4mm bullet to 1mm fine tip), a weatherproof and UV-resistant water-based acrylic formula rated for 10+ years outdoors, leak-proof construction, and 250m of coverage per pen. Products are sold as individual pens, themed 8-packs, full-range collections, and bulk bundles for schools and workshops.
Product overview
Surfpaints is a direct-to-consumer art supplies company specializing in premium acrylic paint pens and markers designed for use on multiple surfaces. The product portfolio centers on Japanese-manufactured acrylic paint pens with key differentiators including replaceable nibs (bullet, chisel, and fine tip options in 1mm, 4mm, and 15mm sizes), weatherproof and UV-resistant formulas, and vibrant color options across 40+ colors including primary, pastel, metallic, fluro, and earth tone collections. The core product line includes individual pens and themed 8-packs (Primary, Pastel, Metallic, Fluro, Earth, Black & White), alongside the 35-pen Full Range Special Edition box and the comprehensive Complete Art Studio Kit. Bulk purchasing options include the Essential Bundle (192 pens) and Department Bundle (350 pens) targeting schools, workshops, and wholesale buyers. Accessories include a storage case and replacement nib packs. The company ships from Sydney, Australia and operates globally through its Shopify-powered e-commerce platform.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Individual Acrylic Water Based Paint Pens Single paint pens available in various sizes (4mm bullet, 1mm fine tip, 15mm jumbo) and colors. Feature reversible nib system allowing users to switch between tip sizes. Premium Japanese water-based acrylic formula with weatherproof and UV-resistant properties for artists and hobbyists.
- Primary Acrylic Paint Pens 8-Pack Set of 8 paint pens in primary colors (Black, White, Green, Blue, Yellow, Red, Pink, Brown) with 4mm durable bullet nibs, designed for all surfaces with premium Japanese acrylic formula.
- Pastel Acrylic Paint Pens 8-Pack Set of 8 paint pens in pastel colors (Turquoise, Light Blue, Beige, Orange, English Red, Wisteria, Violet, Grey) with 4mm durable bullet nibs for all surfaces.
- Metallic Acrylic Paint Pens 8-Pack Set of 8 paint pens in metallic colors (Gold, Silver, Black, White, Metallic Red, Metallic Blue, Metallic Green, Metallic Violet) with 4mm durable bullet nibs.
- Fluro Acrylic Paint Pens 8-Pack (4mm) Set of 8 paint pens in fluorescent colors (Fluro Green, Fluro Yellow, Fluro Pink, Fluro Orange, Fluro Violet, Fluro Blue, Black, White) with 4mm durable bullet nibs.
- Fluro Acrylic Paint Pens 8-Pack (15mm Jumbo) Set of 8 paint pens with extra-wide 15mm rectangular nibs for large coverage areas, murals, surfboards, signage and bold artwork. Includes Fluro Yellow, Fluro Orange, Fluro Pink, Fluro Green, Fluro Blue, Fluro Purple, Black and White.
- Earth Acrylic Paint Pens 8-Pack Set of 8 paint pens in earth tones (Aubergine, Pumpkin, Celery, Jade Green, Celadon, Black, Brown, Red) with 4mm durable bullet nibs. Ideal for landscapes and nature-inspired artwork.
- Black & White Acrylic Paint Pens 8-Pack Set of 8 paint pens in black and white (4 Black and 4 White) with 4mm durable bullet nibs. Ideal for sketching, outlining, lettering, and highlights.
- Surfpaints Full Range of Acrylic Paint Pens (35-Pen Special Edition) Complete collection of 35 premium paint pens in all colors including standard, metallic, and fluro variants. Features 4mm bullet nibs reversible to 1mm fine tips.
- Surfpaints Complete Art Studio Kit Comprehensive kit including 35 medium 4mm tips in all colors, 4 fine 1mm tips (2 black and 2 white), 20 replacement nibs (Bullet, Chisel, Fine Tips), and 8 large 15mm tips in fluorescent and basic colors.
- Fine Tip 4-Pack Black & White 1mm with Replaceable Nibs Set of 4 fine tip paint pens in black and white with 1mm precision tips and replaceable nibs. Designed for detailed artwork and fine line work.
- Surfpaints Storage Case Storage and organization case for paint pens with included paint accessories. Studio art storage case for keeping all pens and supplies organized and portable.
Quantifiable outcome
- 250m coverage per pen (820ft) - 2x more than other paint pens
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Surfpaints
Customer profileNamed customers8 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Surfpaints technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration2 records
Feature4 records
Surfpaints partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- BunningscoreMajor Australian retailer stocking Surfpaints for retail sales and workshops. Available in stores across Australia and New Zealand. Products positioned for both retail purchase and workshop activities.
- Creative KooksminorCommunity engagement partner that used Surfpaints to save 265 surfboards from landfill by turning them into unique art pieces. Demonstrates environmental sustainability commitment.
- FaireminorWholesale marketplace for larger orders. Provides access to full catalog for approved wholesale buyers including schools, organizations, and businesses.
- ShopifycoreE-commerce platform powering the Surfpaints online store. Enables global sales, payment processing, and store management.
Scale indicators8 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Surfpaints competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Copic: Copic is a premium Japanese manufacturer of alcohol-based art markers widely used by illustrators, designers, and artists. Comparable premium Japanese-quality positioning, artist focus, and refillable/replaceable nib architecture.
- Molotow: Molotow is a German manufacturer specializing in professional-grade paint markers and refillable systems. Comparable premium positioning with weather-resistant formulas and replaceable nibs targeting graffiti artists and creative professionals.
- Montana Cans: Montana Cans produces premium acrylic paint markers targeted at graffiti, street art, and creative professionals. Similar premium positioning, multi-surface claims, and replaceable nib systems targeting artist/hobbyist segments.
- Posca: Posca (by Mitsubishi Pencil) is the most directly comparable paint pen brand globally, offering acrylic paint markers for art, craft, and surface customization. Same product format, similar target market of artists and hobbyists, and similar multi-surface positioning.
Emerging players
- Arteza: Arteza is a direct-to-consumer art supplies brand selling paint pens, markers, and art supplies online. Similar DTC e-commerce model targeting artists and hobbyists with broad product ranges and competitive pricing.
- Arrtx: Arrtx is a Chinese-origin DTC brand selling dual-tip acrylic paint pens online at competitive price points. Comparable product format, multi-surface claims, and DTC-first go-to-market targeting artists and crafters on Amazon and direct storefronts.
Broad incumbents
- Prismacolor: Prismacolor (owned by Newell Brands) is a major art supplies brand producing markers and colored pencils. Comparable artist/hobbyist target market with established US retail presence through Michaels and similar chains.
- Liquitex: Liquitex (owned by Colart) is a major acrylic paint manufacturer that produces professional paint markers alongside tubes and bottles. Comparable acrylic paint formulation expertise targeting professional artists, though broader portfolio than Surfpaints.
- Winsor & Newton: Winsor & Newton is a heritage art supplies manufacturer producing paints, markers, and brushes for professional artists. Comparable premium artist market positioning with established global distribution in art supply retailers.
- Sharpie: Sharpie (owned by Newell Brands) is the dominant marker brand globally with extensive retail distribution and broad product portfolio including paint pens. Overlaps with Surfpaints in the multi-surface marker category but operates as a mass-market incumbent rather than premium specialist.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Surfpaints social profiles
Digital presenceSurfpaints financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Surfpaints leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
Surfpaints funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Surfpaints M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Surfpaints
What does Surfpaints do?
Surfpaints manufactures and sells premium Japanese-crafted acrylic paint pens and markers designed for use on multiple surfaces including surfboards, canvas, wood, glass, ceramic, plastic, metal, fabric, and rocks. The pens feature a reversible nib system (4mm bullet to 1mm fine tip), a weatherproof and UV-resistant water-based acrylic formula rated for 10+ years outdoors, leak-proof construction, and 250m of coverage per pen. Products are sold as individual pens, themed 8-packs, full-range collections, and bulk bundles for schools and workshops.
Is Surfpaints a public or private company?
Surfpaints is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Surfpaints founded?
Surfpaints was founded in 2019. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Surfpaints based?
Surfpaints is headquartered in Freshwater, Canada, in the North America region.
How does Surfpaints make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Direct E-commerce Sales are the primary driver. The others are wholesale/Bulk Sales and retail Distribution.
Who are Surfpaints's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Copic, Molotow, Montana Cans and Posca. Emerging players are Arteza and Arrtx. Broad incumbents are Prismacolor, Liquitex, Winsor & Newton and Sharpie.
Does Surfpaints have an API?
No public API is recorded for Surfpaints.
What industry is Surfpaints in?
Surfpaints's product category is Art Supplies. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMAEAHAI, Digital & Specialty Inks (Inkjet, UV, Conductive). Its NAICS code is 325510 and its SIC code is 3950.