How to Paint Canvas Totes
Canvas totes provide great blank canvases for painting. Nowadays, canvas totes are commonly used as an environmentally-friendly alternative to paper or plastic shopping bags. You can also use your canvas tote as a book bag, beach bag or gym bag. Personalize your canvas totes by painting them in any way you choose. Make sure you prep the bag beforehand and use appropriate painting supplies.
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Instructions
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1
Line the inside of the tote with wax paper. This will prevent paint from soaking through the canvas and staining the interior.
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2
Purchase fabric paint to use on your canvas tote. Standard paints can make canvas particularly stiff so use fabric paint to keep the canvas soft and pliable.
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3
Lay the canvas tote on a flat surface that is free from dirt, dust and other debris. Use a piece of tape to remove any lint from the exterior of the tote. This provides a clean surface for your painting.
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4
Use a pencil to lightly sketch what you would like to paint. The pencil will not be evident once you paint the tote so feel free to get creative in your sketches. Use stencils if you don't possess drawing talent. Make sure you are satisfied with your sketch before you actually paint over it.
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5
Paint the tote, using fabric paint and paintbrushes. If you are painting a detailed piece, you should have paintbrushes in a few different sizes. Larger brushes allow for broad strokes while small paintbrushes are good for small, specific areas. Expect to use a good amount of paint on the totes since it must soak into the fabric's fibers.
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Allow the paint to completely dry before moving the tote. Generally, this takes at least 24 hours.
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Wait at least
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Tips & Warnings
Painting canvas totes is a fun craft project for kids. They can dip their hands in fabric paint and make hand-prints on the bags.
Do not wash your canvas tote for at least 72 hours. Doing so beforehand may cause the paint to bleed.
