Choosing the Right Paint for Fabrics & other Surfaces

ARTICLE: CHOOSING THE RIGHT FABRIC PAINT
FOR THE RIGHT PROJECT SURFACE
- See Quick Guide below also -

CLOTHING/GARMENTS/APPAREL/HOME LINENS- Cotton and natural fabrics and blends - woven and non-woven blends:

Basic Ballpoint & Brush Painting & Shading – Use any of the Cameo Ballpoint Fabric Paints and even highlight with Cameo Sparkle Accent. More info is on the Accenting Cameo Paints Technique Sheet available [HERE].

Embellish/Enhance – Use dimensional paints to add textures, sparkle, and shining highlights: Jones Tones come in Puff Paint, Glitter Paint, Sparkle Gels, Metallics, and Shiny Colors. These are perfect for enhancing ballpoint or brush painted designs...may be applied over painted areas, if desired. Just apply directly to add borders, and lines or dots for textures, etc. They can be brushed out for easy one-coat coverage...even on dark or black fabrics. They stay soft and flexible on fabric and maintain a sort of "stretch" very well so they are perfect for t-shirts, sweatshirts, leotards, hosery, and more.

CLOTHING/GARMENTS/APPAREL/HOME LINENS- synthetic/man-made fabrics:

Basic Ballpoint & Brush Painting & Shading – Use Aunt Martha Paints to create a durable, sun-fast result. Great results can also be obtained with Cameo Paints on most synthetic fabrics including non-wovens and even highlight with Cameo Sparkle Accent. More info is on the Accenting Cameo Paints Technique Sheet available [HERE]. Test first, if uncertain of fabric's color acceptance ability or use Aunt Martha paints.

WOOD, FURNITURE, & FURNITURE FABRIC/UPHOLSTERY

Outdoor: Use Aunt Martha Paints or other OBP (oil-based paints*) to create a durable, sun-fast result to synthetic or cotton fabrics like canvas. On metal, glass, and other smooth surface these can be used to tole/decorative paint also. For large areas, Simply Spray Fabric Paints can be used. And for really large areas like furniture upholstery fabrics, awnings, etc., we recommend Simply Spray Upholstery Paint.

Indoor: For most indoor wood items, Cameo paints work wonderfully and since it is a flat porous surface it can be ballpoint painted. Just use a small paint brush or Fiber Blender #C369 to smooth out the paint while wet. Colors can even be blended on wood.

GLASS/CHINA/POTTERY & PLASTIC

Hand washable items: Use oil-based Aunt Martha paints for best results. On plastics, be sure to test paint on same type of plastic to make sure it is compatible. Most plastics accept paint fine, but some have chemical interactions with solvents used in the oil-based paint formula. Best to test before painting much.

LEATHER & SUEDE ITEMS

All items: You can use any Aunt Martha fabric paint you desire. Cameo Paints are great for suedes and unfinished leather with a consistent surface. Results will not be totally flat on finished (smooth) leather as paint will lie smoothly on top of it. Use a clear top coat, if desired, over painted areas onto of smoothed finished leathers. Best to avoid use of dimensional paints (Jones Tones) or other paints on areas that will receive alot of wear or abrasion.

Simply Spray will not stick to finished leather but can tone unfinished leather nicely.

Of course, non-washable items need not be heat set. Wash/launder only according to manufacturer’s instructions if item is washable.

GENERAL CARE INSTRUCTIONS

Surfaces and fabrics must be clean and dry prior to painting. New fabrics require pre-washing in detergent. No fabric softeners or dryer sheets used prior to painting. Dry ironing, before painting, is helpful for most fabrics. Always pre-test any new fabric on a small piece for paint-ability and results.

Allow all painted fabric projects at least 7 days to dry before attempting laundering and then hand wash or machine wash on delicate cycle separately in warm or cool water only. Heat set Cameo Ballpoint prior to washing, only if quicker laundering may be used. Clothes dryer drying is ok on most fabrics turned inside-out if low heat is used, however, dimensional (3D) paint is best if laid flat or hung to dry naturally. Avoid harsh detergents, like Tide, when washing any painted items.

Follow the fabric care instructions except for conflicts with paint washing instructions. Do not dry clean any painted items except those done with Aunt Martha oil-based ballpoint paints unless you ask for a mild solution or do them at home with the dryer-bag type. Results will vary with type of paint used.

HELPFUL HINTS FOR FABRIC/HOME CRAFT
BALLPOINT, DIMENSIONAL, OR BRUSH PAINTING

Protect work table surfaces where needed. A plastic drop cloth works nicely for this.
Lay projects flat to work on and sit comfortably at a table in a comfortable chair. Make sure you have any accessories you may need close at hand. Make this a relaxing time for yourself away from distractions.
Always use a blotter behind fabrics to protect from bleed-through and to help paint penetrate best for best wash-ability. Use of a hoop with blotter is recommended for non-knit (grid woven) fabrics like cotton fabrics. Use Sandpaper Blotter for knit fabrics like t-shirts…it will hold the fabric from movement so it can be painted properly without the fabric stretching or creeping away from the ballpoint tip or brush.
When ballpoint painting on fabrics, use a Shading/Blending Tool, like D487 or Fiber Blenders C369 to blend colors and to press surface paint into the fabric fibers for best wash-ability results. Paint small areas then use tool to evenly blend the paint (while wet) into the fabric.
Make use of the free information here on our FabricPaint.Com website and also on FabricPainting.org (Online Library) website.

FOR SIMPLY SPRAY ON FABRIC PAINTS: See our FAQ webpage [HERE].

WHAT TO DO WHEN READY TO LEARN MORE

1. GET A TEACHER: Contact your local instructor when ready to learn techniques that will broaden your skills and add value to your hobby investment: If you do not already have one, contact us for the name and contact info of one near you. IF there is not an instructor near you, we have many ways of helping you directly and they are all FREE so contact us - See #3 below.
2. GET GREAT SELF-HELP: Click for access to our Online Fabric Painting Resource Center at http://www.fabricpainting.org and take advantage of the many learning tools and techniques there.

3. GET MORE EXPERT HELP: Contact our customer support services center by any of the many methods listed at http://www.fabricpaint.com/support.shtml. We have expert Live Help available by online chat and by tollfree phone. Contact us anytime online or by phone during our office hours as published.

--- QUICK GUIDE ---

On our websites, we have brought the best selection of fabric paints to do most any home project. We selected only the best brand for each type of paint and the best cross selection. This is based on our own product testing and extensive personal use experience. We pledge to always bring only the best paints and supplies to our websites. It is for those reasons alone we recommend the following paints to the following purposes.

SURFACE TO BE PAINTED:	RECOMMENDED FABRIC PAINT
Cotton fabrics, woven & blends, including canvas, muslins, denim, etc.	Any: Cameo, Aunt Martha, Jones Tones, or Simply Spray...choose most appropriate products for your project and effect desired.
Other natural fabrics (wool, silk, etc.)	Any of the paints we offer. For silk, test first if possible. Simply Spray may have mixed results on silk depending on type of silk.
Synthetic, Man-made woven and nonwoven fabrics (rayon, polyester, nylon, spandex, & blends, etc.) Including organdy, organza, taffeta, etc.	Most synthetics can be painted with any paint we offer. Test first, if in doubt at all. Aunt Martha paints will work best on the highest concentrations of nylon and polyester. Jone Tones have a stretchability so are good to go on these also - if you want a dimensional or screen printed effect.
Real leather, suede, and velvets	Any paints we offer can be used, but on finished (shiny) leather, the Aunt Martha paints will work best. Paint will not penetrate smoothed leather. Apply a clear top coat, if desired. Unfinished leather will accept any paint if surface is consistent. For velvets, apply at least one coat of white paint with a suitable brush then brush paint with paints and colors of your choice. Avoid using dimensional paints on velvet unless brushing them out.
Wood (finished & unfinished), terra cotta, clay, cardboard, fiberboard, etc.	Any of the paints will work on wood and other porous materials/surfaces, however, some mixed results are possible if material is coated with a finisher/protective slick coat or oiled finish.
Glass, plastic, and other smooth, nonporous surfaces.	Aunt Martha paints will work best and can be oven cured (baked on with low heat), however some plastic can have a chemical reaction with Aunt Martha paints. Test first.
Vinyl, rubber, naugahyde.	No paint will work well on these because they were designed to be UNaffected by any paint or stain. Paint may rub off, peel, crack, etc.
*MOST fabrics & materials	*IF you have them, working OBP paints, like Artex, Liquid Embroidery, EZ Flo, Silhouette Designer, Vogart can be used. Most of these, have reached the end of their shelf lives, so replace them accordingly with use of the free replacement charts [HERE] or contact us.

* Oil-based paints (OBP) require the use of a chemical solvent as a cleaner or thinner.
The paints and solvent are not considered kid safe nor environmentally friendly.
Use skin protection when using and handling these paints and solvent for them.

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