How to Make Acrylic Paints Permanent on Fabric

eHow may earn compensation through affiliate links in this story. Learn more about our affiliate and product review process here.

Things You'll Need

  • Textile medium

  • Stirrer

  • Measuring spoons/cups

  • Soap

  • Cardboard

  • Waxed paper

  • Paint brushes

  • Stencils

  • Sponges

  • Iron

Paint fabric to create one-of-a-kind clothing and home décor.

Painting fabric is an easy way to spice up clothing and home décor. Many brands of fabric paint exist, but most don't offer a wide range of color choices beyond the basic color wheel. A better paint option for a wider range of colors is acrylic paint mixed with a textile medium. Painting fabric with acrylic paint alone will leave the fabric stiff and uncomfortable to wear, and the paint will crack. Mixing a textile medium into the acrylic paint will create a washable, permanent fabric paint that will leave fabric flexible and won't crack, bleed or run.

Advertisement

Step 1

Acrylic paints come in a plethora of colors.

Select the colors of paint you would like to use on your fabric. (Prewashed and dried 50/50 cotton-blend fabric is best.) Acrylic paint and textile medium come in 2- or 8-oz. bottles. Shake the bottles of paint and textile medium well.

Video of the Day

Step 2

Accurately measure your paint and textile medium.

Mix one part textile medium to two parts acrylic paint.

Advertisement

Step 3

Mix the acrylic paint and textile medium well.

Thoroughly mix the acrylic paint and textile medium together with a stirrer until the white of the textile medium has disappeared.

Advertisement

Step 4

Wash your stirrer and any measuring spoons/cups you might have used immediately with soap and water.

Step 5

Painting clothes allows you creative freedom.

Insert a piece of cardboard covered with waxed paper inside your clothing or under your fabric and start decorating with the paint you just made. Use paintbrushes, stencils, sponges, your fingers, or anything else you want, to give your clothing a one-of-a-kind look.

Advertisement

Step 6

Be sure to let the paint on your clothes dry thoroughly.

Air-dry your clothing or fabric for at least 24 hours.

Advertisement

Step 7

Be sure to heat set the painted area completely.

Heat set the paint before wearing or washing. Turn your iron onto the cotton setting, and turn your garment inside out. Lay a scrap piece of fabric or an old T-shirt over the painted area. Press your iron down firmly over the painted area for 20 seconds, lift and move to next area to avoid scorching. Do not slide the iron around. Be sure to iron the entire painted area.

Tip

When washing your newly painted garment, turn the clothing inside out and wash in cold water. Do not bleach. To make the fabric paint more durable, iron both the inside and outside of the painted area. Be sure to cover the painted area with a piece of fabric before ironing.

Warning

Wear an old T-shirt or smock so you don't get your permanent fabric paint on the clothes you're wearing.

Advertisement

Video of the Day