It seems like most DIY decorative crafts include burlap in some way or another these days. Burlap has become a popular choice of fabric to give a farmhouse chic aesthetic to any décor or craft.
Burlap is a rough fabric, though, and can be pretty difficult to work with. It’s stiff, and depending on the weave, can be a real pain to paint.
So, what is the best paint to use on burlap? The best permanent paints to use on burlap are fabric, craft acrylic, and chalk paint. You can also use tempera paint, but this will wash off when wet. You can even spray paint burlap. However, you’ll want to avoid oil-based paints.
Read on to see how each type of paint can help you create the décor of your dreams!
Why Paint Burlap?
You may have seen burlap wrapped around a mason jar, overlaid with white lace, or used as decorative ties. So, why even bother to paint burlap?
Painting burlap can take it to the next level. You can paint abstract shapes or swirls, or use stencils to add images or even words.
If you go down the canvas aisle of your local craft store, you’ll also notice that burlap has become such a popular décor material, it’s now offered pre-pulled and stapled onto a canvas frame.
Burlap isn’t just an accent anymore. It’s a centerpiece! For example, painting your and your spouse’s initials with the year you got married onto a burlap canvas is an easy décor accent to your wedding photo wall.
Another great idea for painting burlap is to spray paint the whole fabric and use it as an accent wrap around a gift box. We’ll get into more details about how to spray paint burlap below.
Types Of Paint For Burlap
Although burlap is a fairly stiff, raw fabric, you might be surprised that it can take quite a bit of paint.
The main thing to keep in mind with choosing a type of paint for your burlap project is to avoid oil-based paints. Oil-based paints are typically not intended for use on any fabric, and will take a long time to cure.
Stick to water-based paints, as these tend to stick pretty well to porous materials such as burlap. There are also plenty of options in water-based paints, so you’re sure to find a paint that works for you.
1. Fabric Paints
Fabric paints are an obvious choice for burlap, given that burlap is a type of fabric.
A great thing about fabric paints is that they sometimes come in bottles with tips for easy precision work. This can help if you’re trying to create a detailed picture or do handwritten phrases.
If you want to fill the whole space of the burlap with a background color, we recommend using a foam roller with a light layer of paint. Adding too much paint at once can cause big globs and an uneven finish.
Because fabric paint is permanent, using this option will allow you to spot clean your design in the case of any accidental spills or stains.
2. Acrylic Craft Paints
Acrylic paint is one of the most popular paint options for any craft. It has a vast array of color options and is easy to work with for even the beginner crafter!
Just as it works on wood, canvas, and linens, acrylic paint works great on burlap. You can use a foam roller to cover the whole expanse of burlap, or use paintbrushes for detail work. Another advantage to acrylic craft paint is that it dries fairly quickly.
This means that if you’re in a rush to finish that handmade baby shower gift you forgot about, no worries! Simply paint your design, tap the paint with your finger periodically to test its dryness, and throw it in the gift bag.
3. Chalk Paints
If you’re going for more of a matte look, chalk paint is for you. The fabric and acrylic paints can have more of a shiny finish, but chalk paint has a matte finish.
If you want to create something more useful than decorative, you can also use chalkboard paint, which can be written on in chalk. It is common for these two types of paint to be mixed up, but you cannot write on chalk finish paint with chalk. “Chalk” is simply descriptive of its matte appearance.
If you want to create a fun and memorable gift for a friend or family member, paint the entire burlap surface with black chalkboard paint. Bundle it with a box of chalk after writing a sweet, custom message.
Don’t want to use chalk? No worries, chalkboard paint is able to be written on with chalk, but that doesn’t mean you have to. If you just want to use it for a matte finish.
Keep in mind that chalk paint is a thicker consistency than acrylic or fabric paint, so it may be more difficult to do detailed work with it. It’s also good to note that chalk paint can’t go in the washer, but if needed, you can still spot clean your work.
4. Tempera Paints
When you think of tempera paint, you may think of preschool children using it to finger paint. However, it can be a great option for burlap! Tempera paints are non-toxic and have a creamy consistency that makes them great for large, simple designs.
It’s important to note, however, that tempera paints are only temporary on burlap. They will wash off when wet. This makes them the perfect choice if you’re trying out a burlap craft activity with kids!
5. Water-Based Spray Paint
Finally, a great choice for burlap is water-based spray paint. Yes, you can use spray paint for your burlap art project!
To spray paint burlap, remember to take the burlap outside to a well-ventilated area. Lay it on top of a scrap of cardboard to help protect your grass or driveway, but remember that you will likely still see a spray of color around the cardboard where you’re spraying.
Spray evenly across the surface of the burlap in light, smooth layers. You will need to spray multiple layers to get a good, solid color.
Although burlap is a woven fabric with little holes throughout, the paint will not soak through and cover the other side. You will still need to flip the fabric over when dry to spray paint the other side of your burlap.
Most often, burlap comes in a medium-to-light shade of brown. This base brown color will affect the color you choose to spray paint. For example: if you choose a soft pink, it may come out looking more red or orange with the brown of the burlap.
To avoid this and stay true to the color you’ve chosen, try to find a lighter, cream-colored burlap. If you can’t find that, simply spray paint your burlap with a couple of coats of white or cream as a base coat to help your chosen color pop more.
Helpful Painting Tips
Burlap is a stiff fabric to begin with, but painting it makes it even less flexible. You’ll need to keep this in mind when deciding what your final product will be.
For example, if you’re spray painting strips of burlap baby blue to wrap around party favors, be warned that tying the bows and getting them to look nice may be difficult.
This won’t make a difference for simple designs, though. If you’re wrapping strips of burlap around mason jars with stencil-painted stars, those small stars won’t affect the flexibility of the fabric around the jar.
When painting stripes or straight lines on burlap, use painter’s tape to create the design you want. We recommend using a nylon-bristled brush to apply your chosen paint. Using natural-fiber brushes can be dangerous, as some of the bristles will come off and get stuck in the paint.
To paint using a stencil on burlap, make sure your stencil is firmly on the fabric. Use a foam or synthetic fiber brush to gently apply light layers of paint in the stencil.
It’s important to use a very light amount of paint when using stencils. If you use too much paint, it can seep underneath the stencil and ruin the design you’re creating.
Removing Folds Or Creases From Burlap
Finally, be sure to iron the burlap before applying your paint. If you have folds in your fabric and don’t notice until after you’ve already painted it, it’s too late to remove them.
With a careful eye, look over your burlap fabric for any folds, creases, or even stray strands. Be sure to remove any stray pieces with a lint roller and get ready to remove the folds.
You can remove creases from your burlap fabric in two ways: either with an iron or a hairdryer.
If you choose to use an iron, you’ll need to grab another fabric to lay on top of the burlap. You shouldn’t apply the iron directly to the burlap. Be sure to use lots of water and steam to make it easier to iron.
If you use a hairdryer, put it on a low heat setting and smooth out the folds with your hands as you blow the heat on it.
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