7 Best Fabric Paints For Polyester
Before customizing a t-shirt or other fabric item, make sure you have the right kind of paint for your chosen fabric. Some fabrics, like polyester, don’t take regular fabric puff paint very well and may require a different kind of paint.
So, what are the best fabric paints for polyester? The best fabric paints for polyester are acrylic paints that go smoothly on synthetic fabrics, are vibrant in color, and have a flexible finish.
There are types of acrylic fabric paints out there that work great for polyester and other synthetic fabrics. It’s important to learn about the differences so you can choose the right paint for your project.
Buyer’s Guide For Fabric Paints For Polyester
Acrylic Paint
Not all fabric paints are acrylic paints, and not all acrylic paints work well on fabrics. The key here is to find acrylic fabric paint, which is specifically labeled for use on fabrics.
Not all acrylic fabric paints will say “acrylic” on the label or in the name. Some will simply say fabric paint, but if you read closer on the product description, you’ll be able to see that it’s acrylic paint.
Since polyester is a synthetic fabric made with plastic fibers, that plastic material may not always take regular fabric paints well. However, acrylic fabric paints are known to adhere well to synthetic fabrics, which is why they’re the best choice.
Work On Synthetic Fabrics
Although acrylic fabric paint is the best option for polyester fabrics, it’s certainly not the only option. The most important thing to look for on the label of your fabric paints is if it works well on synthetic fabrics.
Some fabric paints will list the fabrics they work well on, such as cotton, leather, and more. These are fine, but they’re not guaranteed to work on polyester.
For best results, we recommend finding fabric paint that specifically states, “works on synthetic fabrics.” If it doesn’t mention synthetic fabrics, you may need to pass on that brand and find one that does.
Vibrant Colors
Fabrics can come in a wide variety of colors, so if you really want your paint to pop, you’ll want to find paints in bright, vibrant colors.
Even though fabric paints are designed to stay on after washing, the colors will fade over time. Dull paints may fade faster, or simply look out of place on the fabric.
It’s best to find a pack of fabric paints that includes a wide variety of bright colors perfect for your project.
Most fabric paint sets will also include metallic or even neon colors. Incorporating metallic or neon can help take your custom fabric to the next level and give it an even better final look.
Flexible Finish
Acrylic paints, and other types of paint, are often stiff when dried. This works fine when you’re using them on a canvas or wood, but not so much on fabric.
For paints used on fabrics, you want to make sure they have a bit of a flexible finish to them. This will help them still move, fold, bend, and curve with the natural shape of the fabric.
Of course, there is still a layer of paint over the fabric, so you can expect a little stiffness when it’s dry. It should feel like an area of the fabric that’s a little harder than the rest, but still moves and manipulates nearly the same as the rest of the fabric.
The Best Fabric Paints For Polyester
Now that you have a better idea of the type of paint you’ll need to purchase for use on polyester fabrics, we recommend choosing one of the products listed below.
| Rank | Product | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | U.S. Art Supply 24 Color Set of Permanent Acrylic Fabric Paint | 24 vibrant colors, includes regular and metallic colors, acrylic paint, works on fabrics, flexible finish |
| 2. | Nicpro 8 Colors Permanent Fabric Paint | 8 colors (4 oz each), soft fabric paint, works on synthetic fabrics, flexible finish, includes color wheel |
| 3. | ARTEZA Fabric Paint, Set of 30 Permanent 3D Colors | 30 vibrant colors, includes metallic, neon, glitter, and glow-in-the-dark, permanent 3D paint, works on fabrics |
| 4. | FolkArt Brush on Fabric Paint Beginner Set | 8 colors, acrylic paint, works on fabrics, flexible finish |
| 5. | Speedball Fabric Screen Printing Ink | Professional-grade fabric ink, 8 oz jar, water-based, works on synthetic and natural fabrics, heat-set permanent |
| 6. | Tulip Puff Fabric Paint 3-Pack | 3-pack (4 fl oz each), raised puff texture, non-toxic, permanent, works on fabrics, shiny finish |
| 7. | TULIP Dimensional Metallic Fabric Paint 6-Pack (Slick) | 6 metallic colors, dimensional 3D effect, squeeze bottles with precision tips, permanent, machine-washable |
1. U.S. Art Supply 24 Color Set of Permanent Acrylic Fabric Paint
The first option on the list for paints that work well on polyester fabrics is this 24-pack from U.S. Art Supply.
Not only will you get the most color options with this pack, but you’ll be purchasing paints from one of the leading art supply brands in the country.
This set of acrylic fabric paints includes 12 regular colors and 12 metallic colors to give you the best variety for your money.
They work well on fabrics, including synthetic fabrics like polyester, and have a nice, soft finish.
2. Nicpro 8 Colors Permanent Fabric Paint
The Nicpro Permanent Fabric Paint set is a fantastic choice if you want generous bottles of paint at a reasonable price. Each of the 8 colors comes in a large 4 oz (120 ml) bottle, which gives you much more paint per color compared to most other sets on this list.
This soft fabric paint is specifically designed for clothes and textiles, including synthetic fabrics like polyester. It dries to a soft, flexible finish that won’t crack or peel, even after multiple washes. The set includes a color wheel to help you mix custom shades, which is a nice bonus for beginners. With 300+ purchases per month and a solid 4.7-star rating from over 360 reviews, this is a reliable, well-loved option for fabric painting projects.
3. ARTEZA Fabric Paint, Set of 30 Permanent 3D Colors
If you want the ultimate color variety for your fabric painting projects, the ARTEZA 30-pack is hard to beat. This massive set includes regular colors, metallic hues, neon shades, glitter finishes, and even glow-in-the-dark paints, giving you an incredible range of creative options all in one box.
These permanent 3D fabric paints work well on textiles, canvas, and wood, making them versatile for a range of craft projects. They adhere nicely to polyester and other synthetic fabrics, and the dimensional formula creates a slightly raised texture that adds a fun tactile element to your designs. With over 4,300 ratings and a 4.7-star average, ARTEZA is a trusted brand that consistently delivers quality art supplies.
4. FolkArt Brush on Fabric Paint Beginner Set
FolkArt is another popular and well-known art brand with fantastic paints. Their fabric paint is no exception.
This is another 8-color set ideal for those with smaller projects or projects that need less color options.
These colors don’t appear as vibrant or bright as others, but this can be perfect for those looking to get a little more artistic and softer with their fabric decorations.
These paints have a soft finish when dry, giving your fabric the same movement as before you painted it.
5. Speedball Fabric Screen Printing Ink
If you’re looking for professional-grade fabric ink that delivers bold, opaque coverage on polyester, the Speedball Fabric Screen Printing Ink is an excellent choice. This water-based ink is specifically formulated for fabric printing on both natural and synthetic fibers, making it a reliable option for polyester projects.
Each jar contains a generous 8 ounces of ink, and it’s available in a wide range of individual colors so you can pick exactly what you need. With over 7,300 ratings and a 4.7-star average, Speedball is one of the most trusted names in printmaking and fabric art. The ink dries soft to the touch and becomes permanent after heat-setting, so your designs will hold up through regular washing. This is an especially great option if you plan to do screen printing or stencil work on polyester garments.
6. Tulip Puff Fabric Paint 3-Pack
Tulip is one of the most recognizable names in fabric paint, and their Puff Paint 3-Pack is a top-rated choice for adding dimensional designs to polyester and other fabrics. This set includes three 4 fl oz bottles of shiny puff paint that creates a raised, textured effect when it dries.
The puff finish is perfect for adding fun, tactile elements to t-shirts, tote bags, and other fabric items. It’s non-toxic and permanent, so your creations will last through multiple washes. With a 4.8-star rating from over 2,500 reviews and an Amazon’s Choice badge, this is one of the most popular fabric paints available. It’s also very affordable, making it a great starting point if you’re new to fabric painting on polyester.
7. TULIP Dimensional Metallic Fabric Paint 6-Pack (Slick)
Rounding out our list is the TULIP Slick Dimensional Metallic Fabric Paint 6-Pack. If you want to add a shiny, metallic finish to your polyester fabrics, this set is the way to go. It includes 6 metallic colors in convenient squeeze bottles with precision tips, making it easy to draw detailed designs directly onto your fabric.
The dimensional formula creates a raised, 3D effect that really makes your designs stand out. These paints are permanent and machine-washable once dry, and they work well on a variety of fabrics including polyester. With over 5,300 ratings and a 4.7-star average, this is one of Tulip’s most popular paint sets. The squeeze-bottle format makes it especially beginner-friendly since you don’t need any brushes to get started.
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