The Best Fabric Paints

Tulip Fabric Dimensional Paint

Twinkle While You Work

This glitter paint provides the perfect accent for any DIY project.

Best Overall

Find on Amazon

This paint will provide the perfect pop of color for your next project. Designed to be easy-to-use thanks to the easy-squeeze bottle, the paint has a thin tip so you can create fine lines and tiny details, like polka dots. Available in a wide range of sparkling glitter shades, matte tones, and bright neon hues, this puffy paint is the ideal way to amp up anything from t-shirts to furniture to canvases. Just be sure to prewash any fabric before use to ensure your paint adheres properly and keeps your project looking like new.

Pros:

• Available in over 20 shades and five finishes
• The thin tip allows you to create fine lines and other detailed designs
• The dimensional fabric paint doesn’t soak into the fabric and instead sits on top to create a puffy and 3D effect

Cons:

• The paint dries a slightly darker shade than it looks in the bottle
• The nozzle can get clogged easily and may need to be snipped with scissors

Jacquard Products Textile Color Fabric Paint

Eight Shades of Excellence

This set has every shade you need to create the design you've been imagining.

Best Earth Tone Set

Find on Amazon

With eight bottles of paint, this set gives you all the hues you need. They’re all the earth tones you would find in nature, such as Raw Sienna, Brown Ochre, Terre Verte, and Burnt Umber. Better yet, this easy-to-use paint is highly pigmented, absorbs well into the fabric, and has great coverage for all types of fabric. And because it soaks in, it doesn’t feel still or uncomfortable like some other fabric paints. Instead, it feels just like the fabric itself, so it’s comfortable to wear. Use them for napkins, pot holders, t-shirts, furniture, and more. The only limit is your imagination.

Pros:

• The paint blends beautifully, allowing you to create life-like paintings with shadows and highlights
• It soaks into the fabric and doesn’t leave a thick layer of paint on top
• The earth tones are great for natural-looking paintings
• The paint holds up well, even with frequent washing

Cons:

• It’s thick, so you may want to add a touch of extra water to make it more workable

Tulip Dimensional Glow Fabric Paint

A Light in the Darkness

This puffy paint shines brightly under blacklight or UV lights.

Best Glow in the Dark

Find on Amazon

Stand out even in a dark room thanks to this fabric paint. The six different shades light up in UV and blacklight so that your design pops. The paint stands out in the daytime, as well, thanks to the puffy paint texture that makes it easy to create doodles, drawings, or text. Designed to be non-toxic, the paint is safe to use for most ages and will endure even in the washing machine. Create your next wearable piece of art with this versatile set that you’ll love to use.

Pros:

• The set has six distinct shades, so you can create a diverse range of different designs
• The easy-squeeze bottles are simple to use and allow you to create detailed designs like text, drawings, or patterns
• The paint glows in the dark under UV or blacklight

Cons:

• Some of the colors show more brightly than others under a blacklight
• The colors are very soft and pastel in daylight

Crafts 4 All Fabric Paint 3D, 24 Colors Set

Shady, But in a Good Way

With 24 different shades, you'll never want for another color.

Most Color Variety

Find on Amazon

This color spectrum has all the shades you could ever need. With 24 different hues, the vivid paint helps you bring out your artistic side. The highly pigmented paint is three-dimensional when applied using the thin applicator tip, but can also be made 2D by using a paintbrush – three of which are included with the set. Designed to be totally odorless and non-toxic, the paints are safe for children and adults of all ages to use, making them a versatile staple to add to your craft cabinet.

Pros:

• The set includes 24 different shades so you don’t have to worry about mixing paints to get the perfect shade
• The set can be used as 3D fabric puffy paint or applied with a brush to create a 2D effect
• The paint is odorless and non-toxic, so it’s safe to use

Cons:

• The paint bottles are on the smaller side, so you get less paint of each color
• The color fades a bit as the paint dries

Magicfly Permanent Soft Fabric Paint Set

Color the World Your Way

From t-shirts to tablecloths to furniture, this paint will transform any project.

Most Versatile Set

Find on Amazon

This multipurpose paint set can be used on t-shirts, canvas, jeans, and countless other types of fabrics. The permanent paint is fast-drying so that you can finish your projects quickly, and the set includes 14 different shades (with both classic and neon colors) so you can make your vision a reality. Whether you mix the paint with water for a smoother effect or decide to apply it to paper, glass, or wood, this paint is a versatile craft staple that you’ll use again and again on different projects throughout your home. It’s even non-toxic and safe for the environment, so you don’t have to worry about harsh chemicals or additives.

Pros:

• The set includes 14 different colors and three paintbrushes, so it’s ready to use right out of the box
• The paint is quick-drying and doesn’t require heat, so you don’t have to wait days to complete your projects
• The paint is multipurpose, so you can use it on natural and synthetic fabrics, glass, paper, wood, and more

Cons:

• The paint doesn’t show vividly on darker fabrics like black and navy
• The pain goes on thin, so it may require several coats to get the look you’re after

Frequently Asked Questions

Does fabric paint wash off?

Whether or not your fabric paint comes off with water depends on the specific paint. While some fabric paints are water-soluble and will wash off, most are permanent paints. Permanent paints will not come out in the washing machine, which is typically the desired outcome when using fabric paint on shirts or other clothing.

How long does it take fabric paint to dry?

Most fabric paints will feel dry to the touch within a few hours. However, it is best to let the paint fully cure before wearing it or putting it in the washing machine. This can take anywhere from 24 to 72 hours. Be sure to check the instructions for your specific paint type.

How do I permanently paint fabric?

First, wash and dry the fabric you’d like to paint, whether that’s a t-shirt, jeans, or sneakers. After the fabric has completely dried, use the fabric paint of your choice to paint your desired design. Allow the paint to completely dry, which sometimes requires heat (like an iron or a hairdryer) depending on your paint formula. Once you’ve totally cured the paint, your new piece of art is ready to wear.