Fabric paints are a fun and easy way to add your personal touch to clothes. These special paints are designed to last through several washes without losing their vibrant colors. Accessories, such as shoes and totes, may be given a unique and stylish twist with the help of fabric paints, as well.
If you frequent thrift stores or have clothes that aren’t your cup of tea anymore, then you can easily turn them into a one-of-a-kind piece of clothing. Painting on fabric is much more than simply the final product, though.
Involving one’s imagination and creativity, fabric painting is a fun and accessible hobby, which can be done alone or with company, and a creative way to involve kids in your activities.
Many varieties of fabric paints are available, each with its own set of advantages. While variations in hue, size, and sheen may first catch the eye, closer inspection reveals a plethora of subtle distinctions. So which one covers your needs?
Selection Criteria for the Best Fabric Paint for Clothes 2023—Buying Guide
You are looking into changing the color of your clothes and making new designs, but you aren’t sure if you need fabric dyes, paints and which type? Let us help.
Quality and Price Ratings of Fabric Paints
Fabric dyes are most likely the first thing that comes to mind when you consider altering a fabric’s coloration in a long-lasting way. When using a fabric dye, you are looking to change the whole garment to a single color, without of course changing its texture. On the other hand, fabric paint is used to add intricate patterns to clothing. These can be as detailed as your imagination can make them, and the quality grading we use is essentially different.
When choosing your next fabric paint and considering our overall quality rating, keep in mind that our main factors for assessing their quality were a mix of their simplicity of use, how permanent their effects were, and how vivid their colors were displayed on a variety of textiles. Price grading reflects this process and all of the benefits the items provide to the art community as a whole; we react to it in comparison.
Permanency
Unlike temporary markers, fabric paints are made to last. Still, you should make sure the paint is also machine-washable, so it doesn’t peel or fade with each dryer cycle. Choosing washable fabric paints is also an option, if you’d rather not make a long-term commitment.
Fabric Surface Types
When it comes to fabric paints, sky’s the limit and there is a good chance that there is special paint out there for every type of fabric you own. Yet the shape and consistency of the paint makes a difference depending on the weave and color of the cloth you want to paint. Cotton, denim and blends tend to behave better when it comes to fabric paints, same goes for whites and pastels. Darker fabrics, silks and velvets will be better suited with ‘puff paint’ finishes or glitters. Natural and synthetic fabrics can be painted equally well.
Finish
The finish of a paint refers to its appearance after it has dried. The final sheen of fabric paints varies, as they may be a metallic, pearlescent, matte, or anything else really. The opaqueness of a paint is another aspect of its finish. As a rule of thumb, semi-transparent paint will probably dry to a less opaque sheen than a more opaque paint.
Top Product Recommendations for the Best Fabric Paint for Clothes 2023
- Best Overall Textile Paint for Clothes: Jacquard Textile 8 Color Set
- Best Acrylic Fabric Paint Set: Arteza Fabric Paint, 30 Colors
- Best Glow in the Dark Fabric Paint: Tulip 17581 Glow in Dark Fabric Paint
- Best Fabric Paint Pens: Crafts 4 All Fabric Markers for Clothes
- Best 3D Fabric Paint: Tulip Dimensional Fabric Pack
- Best Textile Markers to Draw on T-Shirts : Shuttle Art 30 Colors Permanent Markers
1. Best Overall Textile Paint for Clothes—Jacquard Textile 8 Color Set
Fabric Paint for Clothes Selection Criteria
- Quality – 10/10
- Price – $31.11
- Our score: 7/10
- Permanency — Permanent
- SurfaceType — Any fabric medium
- Finish — Metallic
About The Jacquard Textile 8-Color Set
The Jacquard fabric paint set is a premium textile paint for both synthetic and natural fabric. This liquid fabric paint even after being washed and dried repeatedly, won’t chip, break, or peel. It is highly pigmented, so it may be used right from the bottle, but for lower consistency, you may also thin the paint with water.
In addition to the three core colors and three secondary colors, this package comes with a good amount of black and white, which makes it possible to come up with new color combinations by mixing these pigments.
What sets this soft fabric paint apart, and the reason we gave it our overall best spot is that it allows for a variety of techniques to be used equally well, depending on how much one thins it. You can try block-printing, stenciling, stamping, and even airbrushing depending on the results you aim for. You can also block print on deep color fabrics, which is not a thing one finds easily.
Pros:
- Can used with a variety of techniques
- Durable fabric paint
- Leaves the fabric soft
- Good for dark fabrics
Cons:
- Even though it is intended to be used with a variety of techniques, it does not come with instructions
2. Best Acrylic Fabric Paint Set—Arteza Fabric Paint, 30 Colors
Fabric Paint for Clothes Selection Criteria
- Quality – 8/10
- Price – $37.99
- Our score: 8/10
- Permanency — Permanent
- Surface Type — Wood, Ceramic, Fabric of all kinds
- Finish — Metallic, Neon, Glow in the dark
About The Arteza Fabric Paint, 30 Colors
Arteza is a company that creates acrylic art supplies, among other things, so we were happy to discover they have ventured into acrylic fabric paints as well.
Arteza’s permanent acrylic based paint can be used on everything from soft T-shirts and rough denim, with 30 colors to choose from. The bundle also includes vibrant colors, metallic tones, fluorescent shades, a glow-in-the-dark, and a glitter acrylic paint. We were pleased to note that they mix so easily that we could even create new hues and textures, when experimenting.
These acrylic based paints are gentle on fabric and will not crack or peel, even after repeated washings and dryings; unlike most of their competition which can’t withstand normal washing cycles and being dried in a dryer. The effects of Arteza fabric paint are permanent after being ironed, and the paint dries quickly and safely. Like all their products, the AP Certification guarantees that this paint is safe for use on textiles, since it follows the guidelines set forth by ASTM D-4236 and EN71.
However, if we had a say in its design, we would hope to make the hole of the bottle a little smaller so when kids get involved in our projects, the acrylic paints would not shoot out.
Pros:
- Non-toxicity safety certification
- Exquisite colored box
- Clothes can be put in the dryer
Cons:
- Hole of the bottles too big, and paint shoots out
3. Best Glow in the Dark Fabric Paint—Tulip 17581 Glow in Dark Fabric Paint
Fabric Paint for Clothes Selection Criteria
- Quality – 8/10
- Price – $11.39
- Our score: 7/10
- Permanency — Permanent
- Surface Type — Fabric
- Finish — Metallic
About The Tulip 17581 Glow in Dark Fabric Paint
These six glow in the dark fabric acrylic paints from Tulip are non toxic and thick enough to be machine washable without issues. You don’t have to worry about how bright they glow either, as customers give it a very high rating and almost all comment that under a black light you will be able to see them glow very brightly. However, be advised that for maximum results, it is a good idea to let them dry and then ‘charge’ them under bright lights for around 15 minutes.
Keep in mind that not all colors glow equally, with white blue and green being the brightest. It may be a good idea to add a dash on your child’s denim jacket for extra protection at night.
Pros:
- Great for accent paintings
- Machine washable
Cons:
- Not all colors glow equally
4. Best Fabric Paint Pens: Crafts 4 All Fabric Markers for Clothes
Fabric Paint for Clothes Selection Criteria
- Quality – 9/10
- Price – $7.96 (Was $9.37)
- Our score: 9/10
- Permanency — Permanent
- Fabric Type — Any fabric, Canvas
- Finish — Matte
About The Crafts 4 All Fabric Markers for Clothes
Fabric painting is a lot of fun, but fabric drawing is a relaxing pastime activity for many. If you are looking for more precision in your craft, maybe it is a good idea to invest in a fabric marker. Crafts 4 all fabric markers permanent colors can be washed on the 30° cycle without an issue.
Remember to always keep the caps on your Crafts 4 All fabric paint pens to prevent them from drying out, as customers have frequently commented on the fact that this textile paint dries up rather fast. Also, when using it on cotton or silk, be mindful to not apply too much strength as it might bleed out.
On the other hand, the 24 colors fabric pens included in the package are equally good for synthetic and natural fibers, which is a unique feature among pens of this kind. Hint: You can also use them to remove logos, but you didn’t hear this from us.
Pros:
- Large color variety in the marker paint set
- Good mix of primary and secondary colors
- Good for fine details
- Non toxic textile paint
Cons:
- May leak through, unless you put a carton between the surface being drawn and the bottom layer of cloth
5. Best 3D Fabric Paint—Tulip Dimensional Fabric Pack
Fabric Paint for Clothes Selection Criteria
- Quality – 8/10
- Price – $22.26 (Was $25.29)
- Our score: 9/10
- Permanency — Permanent
- Surface Type — Fabric, Canvas, Glass, Wood
- Finish — Gloss
About The Tulip Dimensional Fabric Pack
Using puffy paints or 3D fabric paints, you may give your creations a more refined look. To be felt over the fabric, they stand out from the cloth and do not blend in.
The Tulip soft fabric paint bundle, which comes with a range of 20 rainbow colors, is a great option for your craft. However, the 0.75 ounce bottles in this set are somewhat tiny for long term use, yet a good idea for kids parties and tiny hands. As an extra idea, Tulip paints can also be used on children’s pajama feet for colorful extra grip on the floor.
This liquid paint takes a while to dry after being applied, but once it is done you may throw your clothes in the washing machine on the delicate cycle like you normally would. Unfortunately, the paint’s thickness might leave materials feeling rigid.
What sets this textile paint apart is that it can also be used on bathing suits, and darker fabrics without a problem. Please be reminded to wash and dry the piece of clothing before starting to decorate it, but stay away from fabric softener.
Pros:
- Can easily be washed off skin
- Can be used on leather, dark fabrics, and bathing suits
- Creates a grip for children’s socks and pajama feet
Cons:
- Takes at least four hours to dry
- Clothes should be washed on delicate cycle and not ironed over the design
6. Best Textile Markers to Draw on T-Shirts—Shuttle Art 30 Colors Permanent Markers
Fabric Paint for Clothes Selection Criteria
- Quality – 9/10
- Price – $12.99 (Was $20)
- Our score: 9/10
- Permanency — Permanent
- Surface Type — Paper, plastic, metal and fabric
- Finish — Matte
About The Shuttle Art 30 Colors Permanent Markers
You may use permanent markers to create T-shirts professionally, as a hobby or for fun with your kids. Whatever the reason, having permanent textile t-shirt paints that are genuinely fade resistant is essential when dealing with fabric paints, as t-shirts are the most commonly used medium to paint on.
The Shuttle Art clothing paints are so highly pigmented that, along with its fade-resistant technology, your writings and drawings will last for years. They also dry quickly, are smear proof, and water resistant, making them great for T-shirt creative projects. The fine tips let you draw sharp lines, and the non-toxic ink allows you to create without worry.
So, if you are looking to create a quote design by hand or draw a mandala on your plain t-shirt, maybe you could give Shuttle Art a try.
Pros:
- Wide range of colors
- Nicely packaged
- Neon colors
- Flowery scent
- Can draw sharp lines
Cons:
- Wash it separately the first time to make sure the extra color does not bleed on other fabrics
Conclusion—The Best Fabric Paint for Clothes
Fabric painting might be a fun activity to do with your kids on a Sunday morning or even to employ as a relaxing hobby. Acrylic paint can be used for natural and synthetic fabrics, using brush painting, a fabric pen or just straight out of the bottles.
The Arteza Fabric Paint 30 color set is a great place to start if you want to explore fabric painting as a beginner and see how you like it. If you are an expert or have previous expertise with fabric painting, you may be aware that a great option for professional fabric paints is the Jacquard textile colors.
For more exciting creations, choose puffy paint or glow in the dark acrylic paint for dark fabric.
We hope you found our analysis of the top fabric paint for clothes of 2022 to be helpful. Consult our associated guides for further sources of comparable items for the artistic lifestyle.