--- title: "Zebra Paper Mackee: Water-Based, No Show-Through" canonical: "https://stationerytimes.com/guides/zebra-paper-mackee/" description: "Zebra Paper Mackee explained: a water-based pigment marker that does not show through paper, 5.6 mm and 1.4 to 1.7 mm ends, water-resistant when dry." category: "Accessories" type: "Permanent marker" published: 2026-10-31 updated: 2026-10-31 author: "Ellis Penhale" publisher: "Stationery Times" sources: 1 products: - name: "Zebra Paper Mackee water-based pigment marker (WYT5-15C)" brand: "Zebra" brand_origin: "Japan" made_in: "Not stated" material: "Plastic body; water-based pigment ink" price_band: "$ (under $5 per item, typical US retail, October 2026)" manufacturer: "Zebra Co., Ltd. (Tokyo)" model: "Paper Mackee" mpn: "WYT5-15C" url: "https://www.zebra.co.jp/pro/detail/paper-mackee/" --- # Zebra Paper Mackee: Water-Based, No Show-Through > Zebra Paper Mackee is a marker built for paper: its water-based pigment ink does not show through to the back. The ends write 5.6 mm and 1.4 to 1.7 mm. Zebra says it suits poster paper, drawing paper and cardboard, and once dry it resists water. It is 21.3 × 142.4 mm, 26.3 g and 165 yen with tax (about US$1.04). - URL: https://stationerytimes.com/guides/zebra-paper-mackee/ - Category: Accessories - Author: Ellis Penhale - Published: 2026-10-31 - Updated: 2026-10-31 ![Zebra Paper Mackee twin water-based markers standing side by side in their 9 ink colors](https://stationerytimes.com/images/raster/zebra-paper-mackee-illustration-16x9.png?v=811881d9) *Paper Mackee in its nine ink colors (drawn in proportion).* Original illustration made for this guide. © Stationery Times. Original drawing (SVG): . Drawings © 2026 Stationery Times, reusable with credit under CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). ## Product facts | Product | Brand | Brand origin | Made in | Material | Released | Price range (typical US retail, October 2026) | |---|---|---|---|---|---|---| | Zebra Paper Mackee water-based pigment marker (WYT5-15C) | Zebra (by Zebra Co., Ltd. (Tokyo)) | Japan | Not stated | Plastic body; water-based pigment ink | – | $: under $5 per item | - Made in (Zebra Paper Mackee water-based pigment marker (WYT5-15C)): Not stated. Zebra's Japanese product page lists line width, ink, size, weight, part number and price but no country of manufacture, so check the label on your copy. ## Key takeaways - Water-based pigment ink means no show-through on the back of the paper, per Zebra, which suits poster paper, drawing paper and cardboard. - Thick end 5.6 mm and fine end 1.4 to 1.7 mm; the pen is 21.3 × 142.4 mm and 26.3 g. - Once dry the ink is water-resistant, and Zebra says it also works on cloth, wood, glass, plastic and metal. - Zebra warns some papers such as hanshi and dictionary paper may still show through. - The pen costs 165 yen with tax (about US$1.04), takes WYT5 cartridges, and its page gives no country of manufacture. ## What is the Zebra Paper Mackee? **It is the Mackee for paper.** The standard Mackees use oil-based ink that can soak through paper. Paper Mackee swaps it for a water-based pigment ink, which Zebra says does not show through on the back. That makes it suitable for poster paper, drawing paper and cardboard, the things you write signs on. ## What are the specs? **21.3 × 142.4 mm, 26.3 g, 5.6 mm and 1.4 to 1.7 mm.** Zebra lists: | Item | Value | |---|---| | Line width | thick 5.6 mm; fine 1.4 to 1.7 mm | | Ink | water-based pigment, black | | Size | 21.3 mm diameter × 142.4 mm | | Weight | 26.3 g | | Refill | ink cartridge, pack of two (WYT5) | | Part number | WYT5-15C | | Price | 165 yen with tax (about US$1.04) | ## Is it still permanent? **Once dry, water won't wash it off, per Zebra.** The page says the dried ink is water-resistant and works on cloth, wood, glass, plastic and metal too. A water-based pigment is not the same as the alcohol-based oil dyes in the other Mackees: it is made for paper first. Zebra says some papers, such as hanshi and dictionary paper, can still show through. ## How do you refill it, and what does it cost? **With WYT5 cartridges, sold in a pack of two.** Zebra lists the pen at 165 yen with tax (about US$1.04), the same as the Hi-Mackee, and a refill pack as a separate item whose price is not on the pen's page. Its 5.6 mm thick end is slightly narrower than the Hi-Mackee's 6.0 mm, and the 1.4 to 1.7 mm fine end slightly narrower than the Hi-Mackee's 1.5 to 2.0 mm, by Zebra's figures, so it is a close match in size. ## How does it compare with the rest of the line? **It is the one to use when the back of the sheet matters.** For oil-based permanence on plastics and metal, use the [Hi-Mackee](https://stationerytimes.com/guides/zebra-hi-mackee-marker/). For a comparison of waterproof options, see our [waterproof pens and inks roundup](https://stationerytimes.com/guides/best-waterproof-pens-and-inks/). The line: | Model | Line widths | Weight | Price with tax | |---|---|---|---| | Hi-Mackee (MC12C) | 6.0 mm / 1.5–2.0 mm | 25.1 g | 165 yen (about US$1.04) | | Hi-Mackee Care (refillable, YYT5-12C) | 6.0 mm / 1.5–2.0 mm | 26 g | 165 yen (about US$1.04) | | Mackee Care fine and extra fine (YYTS5-12C) | 1.0–1.3 mm / 0.5 mm | 9.0 g | 132 yen (about US$0.84) | | Mackee Care ultra fine (YYTH3-R) | 0.7 mm / 0.3 mm | 9.4 g | 132 yen (about US$0.84) | | Onamae Mackee, both ends (YYTS7-BK) | 1.0–1.3 mm / 0.5 mm | 8.7 g | 165 yen (about US$1.04) | | Onamae Mackee, fine (YYSS7-BK) | 0.8 mm | 7.8 g | 132 yen (about US$0.84) | | Mackee Knock fine (YYSS6-5C) | 1.0–1.3 mm | 13.0 g | 198 yen (about US$1.25) | | Paper Mackee (WYT5-15C) | 5.6 mm / 1.4–1.7 mm | 26.3 g | 165 yen (about US$1.04) | | Mackee Extra Thick (MC-EB-450-RT) | chisel 8.0–17.0 mm / square 10.0 mm | 63.2 g | 550 yen (about US$3.48) | Prices are Japanese list prices at 158 yen to the dollar. Weights and widths are Zebra's own. ## Where is it made, and what does it cost? **Zebra's page doesn't state a country of manufacture.** The company is based in Tokyo. At 165 yen with tax (about US$1.04), the marker is in our $ band (under $5). ## Frequently asked questions ### What is different about the ink? It is a water-based pigment, so it does not show through to the back of paper, per Zebra. ### What paper does it suit? Poster paper, drawing paper and cardboard. Zebra says thin papers like hanshi may still show through. ### Is it water-resistant? Once dry it will not wash away in water, per Zebra. ### What other surfaces can it mark? Cloth, wood, glass, plastic and metal, per Zebra. ### What are the line widths? 5.6 mm thick and 1.4 to 1.7 mm fine. ### Is it refillable? Yes, with a pack of two WYT5 ink cartridges. ### How much does it cost? 165 yen with tax, about US$1.04. ## Sources - [Zebra Japan: Paper Mackee product page (water-based pigment, line widths, size, weight, WYT5-15C, price; read October 31, 2026)](https://www.zebra.co.jp/pro/detail/paper-mackee/)