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The Best Fabric Paints to Customize Clothes Like a Pro

Art Life Review Team
Written By Art Life Review Team
Last updated: Mar 1, 2025, 09:52 PM
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Fabric paint

Fabric paints allow you to personalize and jazz up various clothing and accessories. For example, you can purchase a cheap t-shirt from a thrift shop and make it look like a million bucks. Fabric painting is not just about the finished result but also the process.

Fabric painting is a fun and creative activity that many people can enjoy. If you are looking for entertainment for your children or want to try a new activity with friends, fabric painting is a fun and inexpensive option.

There are plenty of fabric paints on the market with many differences. Of course, the obvious differences are color, quantity, and the type of finish, but there are many other differences. We will discuss these differences later in the article to help you get a better idea of available products.

First, you may want to look at our list of top fabric paints in 2025. Continue reading to see our recommendations.

View all Contents
  • Buyer’s Guide: Finding Your Optimal Fabric Paint
    • Find Your Favorite Colors
    • Choose Your Preferred Type of Finish
    • How Much Paint Do You Need?
    • Streamlined Nozzles or Large Openings
    • Fast-drying Paint Is the Best
    • The Durability of the Paint Once Dry
    • Semi-transparent Paint
    • 3D Fabric Paints
    • Safe for Children and Pets
    • Fabric Paints Are Affordable Fun
    • What Can Fabric Paint Be Used For?
    • Consider Fabric Pens
  • People Also Asked
  • Trusted Insights from Artists
  • Contributors

Our Top Picks for the Best Fabric Paints of 2025

  • Zenacolor Fabric Paint: Best Overall (Shop Now) →
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  • Crafts 4 All Fabric Paint: Unique Design (Shop Now) →
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  • Magicfly Fabric Paint: Ideal for Kids (Shop Now) →
    Read more about this ↓
  • Arteza Fabric Paint: Dryer Safe (Shop Now) →
    Read more about this ↓
  • TULIP Fabric Paint: Great for Parties (Shop Now) →
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  • Mont Marte Fabric Paint: High-Quality Pigment (Shop Now) →
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Zenacolor Fabric Paint

Best Overall
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This product contains 24 neon fabric paints. Once applied, the paint will have a slightly raised look. Each color comes in a 24ml tube, which should last for many creations. Thanks to the slim and well-designed nozzle, this product is easy to use, whatever your experience level. This set also includes three paintbrushes so you can create various styles.

This paint selection includes fluorescent, metallic, and glow-in-the-dark paints so you can make a statement. This product is non-toxic and suitable to use with children. It is also waterproof and permanent. In addition, this is a risk-free purchase; this company offers a 100% money-back satisfaction guarantee.

Product Pros
  • The set includes 24 paints
  • Includes neon, fluorescent, and metallic paints
  • Non-toxic and permanent
Product Cons
  • Color distribution not even; might have three greens and one pink, for example

Crafts 4 All Fabric Paint

Unique Design
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The Crafts 4 All Fabric Paint provides a versatile assortment of 24 bottles of various colors each containing 29.5 milliliters of non-toxic paint. The unique design of these paints includes an extra thin opening, making painting and detailing quick and easy. This set of paints may be used for both 3D and 2D projects and provides long-lasting pieces of art with strong pigments and vibrant colors because of the use of genuine pigments. These fabric paints have an incredibly broad range of uses for plain and textured surfaces such as wood, paper, ceramic, glass, or canvas. 

The paint is non-toxic and conforms to ASTM D-4236 safety standards, although young children should always be supervised while using this product. The Crafts 4 All Fabric Paint comes with a 365-day satisfaction guarantee, providing assurance that you will love your purchase or else be refunded in full. This could be the perfect choice if you are looking for a reliable, safe, and easy-to-use fabric paint set.

Product Pros
  • Paint is nontoxic
  • Easy to use
  • Can be used on textured surfaces
Product Cons
  • Colors are more pastel than vibrant

Magicfly Fabric Paint

Ideal for Kids
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This set includes a set of 14 fabric paints. The paint is fast-drying and permanent. There are a variety of colors, and a variety of paint finishes, including metallic, neon, and matt. The paint has a smooth finish, and you can add additional layers once dried.

The paints come in a lovely storage box and would make an ideal gift for the creative loved one in your life. They are also non-toxic and suitable to use with children or around pets. These paints can not only be used on fabrics but have many more applications, such as ceramic or glass painting.

Product Pros
  • Set contains 14 paints
  • Includes metallic, neon, and matt paints
  • Fast-drying and permanent
Product Cons
  • Colors aren’t ideal for subtle art

Arteza Fabric Paint

Dryer Safe
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This product contains 24 fabric paints. The Arteza paint fabrics are semi-transparent, allowing you to create subtle changes to your clothing. This product is an excellent option for those who do not want their artwork to look as if it was added to a t-shirt or jeans but rather that it was the original and intended design.

Theese paints become permanent after setting with iron and remain crack-free after multiple washes in a washing machine. Therefore, if you do not wish to stain your fabric permanently, you can wash it out without setting it. However, some mild color staining may still happen. Painted clothing can also be dried in a dryer if the original material is dryer-compatible.

Product Pros
  • Beautiful semi-transparent colors
  • Variety of non-repeated colors
  • Safe to use in a tumble dryer
Product Cons
  • Must be ironed to set

TULIP Fabric Paint

Great for Parties
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The TULIP Dimensional Fabric Pack contains 20 different fabric paints with a mix of neon and matte paints. This pack is non-toxic and safe for everyone to enjoy. This large pack is a great purchase if you are looking for a fun activity for a party.

The nozzles are designed in a way that offers excellent control. This means paintbrushes are unnecessary and limit the amount you need to clean up. In addition, this fabric paint is permanent and, once dried, will remain firmly in place with no peeling or cracks. It will even survive multiple washes in a washing machine.

Product Pros
  • Good variety of colors 
  • Neon and matt paints
  • Thin nozzle for precise application
Product Cons
  • Takes a lot of coatings to create solid color

Mont Marte Fabric Paint

High-Quality Pigment
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This set contains eight pots of highly-pigmented textile paint. This product glides easily across various fabrics and has a glossy finish. You can mix this paint to create new vibrant colors; however, the paint should not be layered up as this can cause it to crack. As this paint is highly-pigmented, it does not need to be layered to create vivid color.

This product should be used with a paintbrush. It can be used on various fabrics and clothing items, including jeans, t-shirts, tote bags, and fabric pumps. 

Product Pros
  • Highly-pigmented colors
  • Beautiful color selection
  • Fast-drying with a glossy finish
Product Cons
  • Must use with paintbrush

Buyer’s Guide: Finding Your Optimal Fabric Paint

As you see the best fabric paints 2025 has to offer, you may want to do a little more research into the topic. This will ensure you get the best product for your needs. Continue reading to see our top tips about what to consider when purchasing fabric paint.

Find Your Favorite Colors

Fabric paints are available in many colors and lots of shades of color. You can choose colors that clash with your fabric to create a bold look or colors that complement the fabric to make it look more subtle. You may want to look for fabric paints containing primary colors so you can mix them to make secondary colors. You will also need to ensure the paints can be mixed by reading product descriptions or contacting the manufacturer or seller.

Choose Your Preferred Type of Finish

As with other types of paint, fabric paints come in various finishes. For example, you can find paints with a metallic sheen, a high gloss, neon, or regular matt. You can also purchase glow-in-the-dark paints. If you are unsure about what type of finish you require, choose a fabric paint set with a mixture of finish types.

How Much Paint Do You Need?

If you are undertaking a large painting project, you will need more paint than someone who is planning on painting a single t-shirt. Painting t-shirts and other accessories as a group activity is a lot of fun. If you plan on buying the paints for this purpose, it is better to split the paint you need into smaller pots so many people can use a certain color simultaneously.

Streamlined Nozzles or Large Openings

Long and narrow nozzles will allow you to apply the paint precisely like you would use a pen. This is a great option if you only want to do the outline of shapes or words. However, if you’re going to use paintbrushes or cover large areas with paint, a thin nozzle will make it difficult to pour large quantities of paint at a time.

If you purchase a fabric paint pot without a nozzle, you should budget for paintbrushes. In addition, you may want to buy paintbrushes with varying thicknesses.

Fast-drying Paint Is the Best

Fast-drying paint means that if you do a fabric painting activity with children, no one will become impatient and move the fabric while still drying. Even fast-drying paint can take up to 18 hours to dry. This can cause a big mess. Once the paint is dry, you can iron to set it if you need to and get on with your day.

The Durability of the Paint Once Dry

If you want to keep convenient clothing and accessories, you should purchase paint that will remain intact when you wash it in a washing machine. Some paints also remain intact when you dry them in a tumble dryer. However, some paints can be affected when you layer them and may crack or peel. In contrast, some paints are made to be able to layer them up if you need to.

Semi-transparent Paint

Consider the style of the paintings you want on your fabric. For example, some semi-transparent fabric paints reveal a lot of the fabric underneath. Others completely cover the fabric. If you’re going to do a mixture of styles, we recommend purchasing a product with translucent fabric paints and opaque fabric paints.

Many translucent-style paints can not be built upon to create substantial pigmentation. However, if you manage to purchase translucent paint that can be layered up, you may use a whole tub of paint on one small area of the fabric.

3D Fabric Paints

3D fabric paints are thicker than other fabric paints and dry slightly raised on the fabric. This makes your artwork stand out even more than before. 3D fabric paint is also highly pigmented and is not translucent at all.

Safe for Children and Pets

Consider the toxicity of the fabric paints you use. Many paints will advertise as being non-toxic. We recommend choosing a product advertised as such, especially if you have children or pets.

Fabric Paints Are Affordable Fun

You can purchase fabric paints to suit a variety of budgets. Fabric paints can cost as little as $1 per tub and as much as $7 per tub. The quality will not necessarily be better the more you pay, so we recommend spending somewhere in the middle of this price range and reading plenty of customer reviews to ascertain the product’s quality.

What Can Fabric Paint Be Used For?

Fabric paints can be used to create interesting and beautiful texts or images on the following items:

  • T-shirts
  • Jeans
  • Shoes
  • Bags
  • Teatowels
  • Hats

Consider Fabric Pens

If you want to decorate a t-shirt or bag by sketching or writing without adding a lot of colors, you could purchase fabric pens. You can buy these as a set with multiple colors, but if you want to save a lot of money and are happy with one color, you can purchase a singular fabric pen.

These are made with writing names on care labels in mind but can also be used to create writing or art on any fabric. Fabric pens are faster drying than fabric paints and will dry in 10 to 15 minutes, depending on your type.

People Also Asked

What is fabric paint made from?

Fabric paint is made from an acrylic polymer. This is resistant to washing and fade-resistant in the sun.

How long does it take fabric paint to dry?

It can take a fabric paint up to 36 hours to dry and as little as 12 hours to dry if it is not listed as fast-drying. If it is listed as fast-drying fabric paint, it can dry in as little as 6-18 hours. This depends on the drying conditions, such as temperature and the moisture in the air. It also makes a difference if the paint has been thickly or thinly applied.

What is the best material to use fabric paints on?

Most fabric painters agree that 100% cotton is the best fabric to paint on. Cotton is absorbent so that the paint will stick well. For bright painting results, avoid cream and off-white colors. If using neon paints, a black fabric will make the colors pop.

What other fabric art techniques can I use in conjunction with fabric paints?

There are many things you can do to decorate fabric t-shirts and accessories. Just a few include:

  • Tie-dye
You can use Skittles sweets to create tie-dye t-shirts. You can also use food dyes.
  • Bleach art
If using a material color other than white, make a stencil and use bleach to change the color within the outline. 
  • Attach rhinestones
You can attach rhinestone glass to many materials. When adding to fabric, you can use a gun with tiffany mounts that will effectively staple them on. Alternatively, you can hot-fix them with a hot glue gun. You could also sew them on, but this can be very time-consuming.

Do fabric paints wash out?

Over time, fabric paint ink will wash out, but if applied correctly, this will happen as fast as with other inks. Some detergents have special properties to speed up this process and target ink, so be aware.

Trusted Insights from Artists

At Art Life Today, our passion for arts and crafts is at the heart of everything we do. We understand that the right tools and materials can make all the difference in your creative projects, so we take our responsibility as reviewers seriously. Our goal is to help you discover the best products that will inspire your creativity and bring your artistic visions to life.

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Art Life Review Team
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