Fabric Paint

Fabric paint is a type of paint formulated to work specifically on fabric with a permanent, flexible and washable hold. There are different formulations of fabric paints, such as brush-on fabric paint, dimensional fabric paint (which dries with a raised finish), and even paint markers for drawing on fabric! Tulip's expertly designed paint formulas guarantee a positive user experience from start to finish. The creative possibilities are endless!

Can acrylic paint be used on fabric instead of fabric paint?

No, acrylic paint has a different formulation than fabric paint. It’s a permanent paint, but it’s meant for other craft surfaces that aren’t flexible like fabric. What makes fabric paint different than other paints like acrylic paints, is that it’s designed to be extra flexible so it can bond with fabric fibers without cracking and crumbling off of the fabric. This is important because fabrics are flexible for movement, comfort and contouring other shapes (such as pillows, handbags for holding items, and even our clothing, which needs to fit and cover us!).

Can fabric paint be used on other surfaces besides fabric?

Yes, fabric paint can be used on other surfaces too! The great thing about fabric paint is that it’s permanent, and while it’s formulated specially for fabric, it also works great on other craft surfaces. Try using fabric paint on canvas, unfinished wood, rocks, cardboard, paper, phone cases and other craft surfaces. Just keep in mind that a lot of fabric paints are thinner than craft paints, so they will have slightly different effects on other surfaces.

Is fabric paint permanent?

Yes, fabric paint is permanent and even machine washable on fabrics once dry. When you are painting on fabrics with fabric paint, it’s important to cover your work surface with a protective covering, and keep it away from other fabrics that you don’t want paint on, such as carpeting and clothing. You can even wear an apron to cover what you’re wearing if you are worried about getting fabric paint on your clothing. Remember, fabric paint won’t wash out of fabric once it’s dry, so have some caution for your other fabrics!

Can fabric paints be washed once dry?

Yes, fabric paints are permanent on fabric once dry. To extend the life of your painted fabric designs, make sure to wash your fabrics inside out on gentle cycle, and air dry them.

What fabrics can fabric paints be used on?

Fabric paints can be used on a variety of fabrics so your creativity isn’t limited to just one type of fabric! They work great on cotton, denim, canvas, shoes, rope, straw (ex. straw hats), netting, linen, leather and more. If you’re unsure about fabric paint working on a certain type of fabric, it’s a good idea to test a swatch of paint on a hidden area of the fabric to see how it holds up.

Can fabric paints be mixed?

Yes, fabric paints can be mixed with one another to create new colors! You can also create fabric paint designs layered with other fabric paint formulations, such as painting a glitter finish over a matte or shiny finish, and adding dimensional details over flat designs with puff paint. Get creative, experiment and have fun with your fabric paints!

What art techniques can I do with fabric paints?

Fabric paints can be used for a variety of art techniques! They can be brushed on for creating custom freehand designs, used with stencils, masking tape for geometric designs and other patterns, splattered onto fabrics, and brushed onto stamps for creating stamped designs. You can also use fabric paints to create faux embroidery looks, painting rocks, making window clings, dot art, and paint pouring! Check out our techniques for brush-on fabric paints, as well as our techniques for dimensional fabric paints. Don’t see a technique listed here? Try your own! The most important thing is having creative fun with fabric paints, and experimenting is part of the process!