Fabric Paint – Everything You Need to Know for Textile Design

Fabric paint lets you transform ordinary fabrics into works of art. Whether you're customizing clothes, decorating home textiles, or upcycling old pieces, choosing the right paint and method is key to success.

Types of Fabric Paint

• Acrylic-Based Paint: High-pigment, semi-matte, durable – perfect for cotton and blends.
• Metallic Paint: Adds shimmer and luxury. Great for light-catching effects (Dora Metallic, Hi-Lite).
• Spray Paint: Fast and flexible – ideal for stencils and gradient effects.
• Glow-in-the-Dark: Stores light, glows at night – fun and functional.
• Crackle Effect: Creates vintage textures with a unique cracking pattern.

Best Fabric Types to Use

Natural fabrics like cotton perform best. Pre-washing is essential. Ensure the fabric is clean and dry before applying paint.

Techniques for Fabric Painting

• Brushwork – for artistic detail
• Stencil application – for crisp patterns
• Spray technique – for fast coverage or batik
• Crackle – using a two-step system
• Heat-setting – iron from the reverse to make it washproof

Washability & Durability

After heat-setting, most fabric paints can be washed at 30 °C on a gentle cycle. Cadence paints stay soft, flexible, and vibrant – even after repeated washing.

FAQs

Can I paint my clothes?

Absolutely! T-shirts, jeans, shoes, bags – any washable textile can be transformed.

Will it make the fabric stiff?

No. High-quality fabric paints dry flexible and soft to the touch.

Do I need to mix colors?

You can! Cadence’s water-based paints mix beautifully for custom shades.

Conclusion

Fabric paint gives you the freedom to create your own wearable art. From DIY fashion to textile décor, the possibilities are limitless – and with Cadence paints, so is the creativity.