Fabric paint and acrylic paint are normally compared when talking about painting on fabric.
But which one is the best choice for you?
We will explore the major differences between Acrylic paint Vs Fabric Paint in this article so you can decide which paint to use on your fabric designs.
Which is better, fabric paint or acrylic paint?
The key difference between fabric paint and acrylic paint is that fabric paint is created mainly for use on fabric. Acrylic paint, on the other hand, could be used on a lot of surfaces. It shows that fabric paint has a smooth surface and is less able to break or be removed when painted on fabric.
Here is a complete list of the main differences between acrylic paint and fabric paint:
- Acrylic paint can be applied to a lot of different surfaces, while fabric paint is especially made for use on fabric.
- Acrylic paint is highly stable, while fabric paint is usually smoother and less likely to break or remove.
- Acrylic paint could be mixed to create various colors, while fabric paint is available in a big choice of colors.Â
- Fabric paint can be used easily on fabric, whereas acrylic paint must be thinned before use.
- Acrylic paint is higher priced than fabric paint.
What Is Acrylic Paint?
Acrylic paint is a kind of paint which is created from dissolving colors in an acrylic co – solvent.
Acrylic paint is liquid and can be applied on so many different surfaces. Also, acrylic paint dries faster and it is well-known for its durability.
What is the use of acrylic paint?
- Acrylic paint is normally used for canvas painting, although it is also suitable for use on fabric, glass, wood, and metal.
- Acrylic paint is also often used for fabric printing, dying, and drawing.Â
- Also, acrylic paint is suitable for handicraft.
pros and cons of Acrylic paints.
Acrylic paint has both advantages and disadvantages.
Some of the pros of acrylic paint, As for:
- Acrylic paint is very customizable. It is suitable for various surfaces.
- It is quite long-lasting. It is stable and resistant to fading or chipping.
- The paint dries faster.
- It is usually quite cheap.
Some of the cons of acrylic paint, As for:
- It can be hard to remove from cloth.
- When applied to fabric, it may leak or spread.
- Acrylic paint can be more costly than other types of fabric paints.
Can acrylic paint be used on fabric?
Acrylic paint can be used on fabric. It is crucial to know, however, that when used on fabric, acrylic paint might leak or flow.
If you’re worried about it, you could try fabric paint with a water-based solvent.
Is Acrylic paint durable on clothing?
Yes, Acrylic paint is permanent on clothing. It would be extremely difficult to remove after it has dried. Fabric paint is durable among all kinds of fabric paint.
What Is Fabric Paint?
Fabric paint is a kind of paint that is designed especially for use on fabric.
It is made up of a coloring and solvent, as well as other materials like fibers and modifiers.
The material in fabric paint makes the color bond to the fabric, as the other materials can increase the quality, stability, and brightness of the paint.
Is fabric paint acrylic?
No, fabric paint is not acrylic. Fabric paint is usually prepared with a different solvent than acrylic paint as well as different chemicals.
But, some fabric paints on the marketplace contain acrylic mixtures.
Modern fabric paints could be more difficult to find and much more expensive than normal fabric paints.
What is the use of fabric paint?
- Fabric paint is normally used for fabric projects and crafts.
- Fabric paint can be used to retouch fabric, make modifications on fabric, also make fabric crafts more beautiful and attractive.
- Fabric paint is also used in the printing, coloring, and painting of fabrics.
Pros and cons of Fabric paints
Fabric paint has both advantages and disadvantages.
Some benefits of fabric paint are:
- Normally brighter and colorful.
- Very simple to use.
- Can be used to produce a variety of fabric designs.
- Very cheap.
Some cons of fabric paint also provide:
- The paint can be very heavy and thick making it tricky to work with.
- It is also very transparent, creating a proper color can be very difficult.
- The paint has to be streaky, which makes it look shaky.
What Paint to use on Fabric?
When picking fabric paint, it is important to consider the kind of fabric you would be painting, the rate of stability needed, and the activity you will be working on.
Acrylic fabric paint is a good option if you need a long-lasting fabric paint.
If you want a fabric paint that is less likely to leak or flow, try fabric paint with a water-based mixture.
Acrylic Paint vs. Fabric Paint (Head to Head)
Material
The main difference between fabric paint and acrylic paint is that fabric paint often contains a water-based material.
When applied on fabric, the water-based material in fabric paint makes it less likely to leak or flow, while the acrylic dinitrogen solution in acrylic paint makes it more durable.
Opinion: The paints are made of different materials.
Customization
Acrylic paint is more flexible than fabric paint. Acrylic paint can be used on a variety of surfaces, including fabric, furniture, glass, and metal.
Fabric paint is usually used only on fabric. However, fabric paint is more efficient than acrylic because it can be used on lots of types of fabric and does not break or remove. But it is all dependent.
Opinion: Acrylic paint is more flexible.
Absorbance
Fabric paint is more absorbent than acrylic paint in terms of absorbance.
It means that fabric paint absorbs the fabric more deeply than acrylic paint. Acrylic paint will “move” on the surface of the fabric.
Opinion: Fabric paint is more absorbent.
Fabric friendly paint
Fabric paint is more fabric-friendly than acrylic paint.
It means that fabric paint is less likely to leak or flow if used on fabric. Fabric paint works well on both natural and artificial fabrics.
When used on fabric, however, normal acrylic paint can leak or flow.
Opinion: Fabric paint is more fabric friendly.
Canvas friendly paint
Fabric paints are not canvas suitable. As it comes to canvas suitability, acrylic paint is simply the clear winner.
Because fabric paints are thinner than acrylic paints and will go deeper into the fabric.
Canvas layers are often thicker than fabric layers, helping it to easily handle the thickness of acrylic paint.
Opinion: Acrylic paint is more canvas friendly.
Hardness
Acrylic paint is harder than fabric paint in terms of hardness.
Acrylic paint is likely harder than fabric paint if it contains more colors and less matrix material than fabric paint.
Materials are liquids which hold colors together, although acrylic paint contains more colors, it requires less material to use it.
It increases the density (thickness) of the paint and makes it dry more slowly.
Opinion: acrylic paint is harder.
Drying ability
The ability of paint to dry is impacted on a variety of elements, with the quantity and quality of paint, the fabric, and the weather.
Acrylic paint, on the other hand, dries faster than fabric paint. It’s a known fact that acrylic paint contains a water-based material.
Fabric paint typically contains a wax material that takes more time to dry. Acrylic paint is really the better choice for fabric paint. It dries quickly.
Opinion: Acrylic paint dries faster
The impact of washing
The impact of washing on fabric paint and acrylic paint is the same. After washing, both the fabric and the acrylic paint will often discolor or become less colorful.
Fabric paint, on the other hand, is more long – lasting than acrylic paint and is less likely to discolor or disappear.
Opinion: Fabric paint is more durable.
Use of washing machine
Fabric which has been painted with fabric paint or acrylic paint can be washed in a washing machine.
Fabric paints, on the other hand, are often more durable than acrylic paints.
It confirms that when fabric paint is cleaned in a machine, it is less likely to disappear or be removed.
Opinion: Fabric paint is more long-lasting.
Performance
Acrylic paint is more durable than fabric paint in terms of performance.
It means that acrylic paint would last longer while requiring modification. After time, fabric paint could break or discolor.
Acrylic paints remain longer because of a more powerful material.
Opinion: Acrylic paint is more stable
Correction solutions
When painting using fabric paint, mistakes are easier to fix than when using acrylic paint.
It is a fact that fabric paints are more absorbent than acrylic paints.
Acrylic paints generally sit on the fabric’s surface, making them more difficult to remove if you make a mistake.
Opinion: Fabric paint is easy to remove.
How to Make Acrylic Paint from Fabric Paint
To convert acrylic paint into fabric paint, simply add acrylic fabric mediums to the paint.
Acrylic fabric mediums are liquids that make the paint attach towards the fabric. Fabric medium is available here.
Instructions:
- Fill a container or bottle half with acrylic paint.
- Mix in the acrylic fabric medium until it is completely dissolved.
- Apply your paint as usual.
How to Paint Fabric with Acrylic Paint
If you want to paint fabric to use acrylic paint, you must first prepare it.
Which means you’ll have to wash and dry the fabric properly. You can begin painting once the fabric has dried.
Instructions:
- Wash your fabric and leave it to dry properly.
- Put the fabric on a level surface.
- Start painting by using acrylic paint.
- Leave the paint to air dry when moving the fabric.
How to Seal Acrylic Paint on Fabric
After you have completed painting your fabric, you’ll now need a seal or heat to fix it. It will try to protect the fabric while also protecting the paint from drying or dissolving.
For this, you can apply a clear acrylic sealer or a fabric sealer.
Instructions:
- Using a spray bottle, apply a clear acrylic sealer or fabric sealer to your fabric.
- Leave the fabric to fully dry before using it.
Is It Possible to Use Fabric Paint on Wood?
Fabric paint can be used on wood, although it is not the ideal solution. Fabric paint is created to apply on fabric and may not apply similarly to wood.
If you want to apply fabric paint on wood, start with a small area first.
Can Fabric Paint be used for Drawing?
Fabric paint can be used for drawing, although it is not the right option.
Fabric paint is made to apply on fabric and may not apply as well as drawing.
You can, but, experiment using fabric paint on a small piece of the sheet to see how it works for you. If it fails to apply, use acrylic paint or a different kind of paint.
Is Acrylic Paint Waterproof on fabric?
Acrylic paint is not waterproof on fabric. It shows that if you leak even acrylic paint on your fabric, it will be forever.
You need to be alert while using acrylic paint around fabric. However, there are methods to make acrylic paint waterproof on fabric.
To make the paint more absorbing, you might add a fabric or acrylic medium. To preserve the fabric from leakage, use a fabric sealer.
Opinion:Fabric paint is more durable and easier to remove, but it can’t be washable on fabric. While basic acrylic paint cannot be washed, these are options to make it more waterproof.
Fabric Paint vs Textile Paint
Textile paint is a type of fabric paint. It is made to grip on fabric and produce a long-lasting finish.Â
Fabric paint is similarly used to apply on fabric, however it is not as long-lasting as textile paint.
Textile paint is a better choice for fabric which will be used often or cleaned usually.
Opinion:Textile paint is a better choice for fabric which is used or washed commonly.
Fabric Ink vs. Fabric Paint
Before choosing fabric ink or fabric paint for your project, you should be aware of a few major differences between the two.
Normal fabric paint is thicker and more sticky than fabric ink, which makes it harder to handle and leads to unstable visibility. You’ll need to move rapidly when using it because it dries quicker as well.
Similarly, fabric paint is thicker and more dense, allowing you full control as to how your design will turn out.
Additionally, because it takes time to dry, you’ll get more time to work with it until it dries.
What should you use then? Fabric ink is the way to go if you want a more detailed finish.
Fabric paint is also a better option if you want extra control of the quality look of your project.
If you are still confused, try both fabric and acrylic paints to explore which one suits you the best.
Which Acrylic Paint Is Best for Fabric?
Your needs and interests will decide which acrylic paint is best for fabric. Fabric ink is a great choice if you’re searching for a quick-drying, user-friendly paint.
Also, fabric paint is a better option if you want more thickness and manage it over final results of your project.
These are the top 3 choices for fabric paint:
1. Liquitex Basics Acrylic Paint
For artisans over all levels of skill, Liquitex Basics Acrylic Paint is a premium water-based paint.
It has a variety of colors and works well on both wood and fabric. Every project benefits from the paint’s quick drying time and is easy to use.
2. Reeves Acrylic Paint
One more excellent option for painting on fabric is Reeves Acrylic Paint. The liquid paint is available in a lot of colors.
It is a fantastic option for any craft because it’s simple to apply and dries faster.
You can easily maintain the fresh look of your fabric because the paint is also machine-washable. Similarly, artificial and natural fabrics work best for it.
3. Golden Open Acrylics
The high-quality, adjustable paint known as Golden Open Acrylics can be applied to a number of surfaces.
These are great for use on fabric as they can be quickly turned into fabric paint and will stay on the surface. These are waterproof and can be used on fabric or wood as well.
The slow drying qualities of these fabric paints give you more time to work with things as it dries.
These are also very bright, allowing you to create a strong, bright color on your fabric. They also perform well with various acrylic mediums.
Conclusion
The fabric paint vs. acrylic paint comparison is now complete.
As you see, before selecting acrylic or fabric paint for your project, you must be aware of a few important differences between the two.
Fabric paint is thicker and easier to repair, but it cannot be washed off of fabric. Although acrylic paint cannot be removed from fabric by washing, it can be made more absorbing in other ways.
We truly hope this article was helpful to you. Kindly post any problems you have in the box provided.
Enjoy your crafting!
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