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The Best Fabric Paint Pens for Decorating Shirts, Shoes, and More

Art Life Review Team
Written By Art Life Review Team
Last updated: Mar 17, 2025, 11:14 AM
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Fabric paint pen

If you’re looking to add new life to your clothes, fabric paint pens may be just what you need. These products are specifically designed for use on fabrics, and they allow you to add patterns, words, and designs to your clothing and other textile items. Whether you’re adding a touch of style to a shirt or creating a unique design on a bag, fabric paint pens are an easy and quick way to customize your wardrobe. But with so many different options on the market, it can be hard to know which ones are the best.

In this post, we’ll share our top picks for the most popular fabric paint pens of 2025. We’ve included our favorite pens for every type of project, from the simplest to the most complex. We’ve also included important information about the types of fabric paint pens and how to find the best one for your needs. Whether you want to create detailed designs or just dabble with a few simple doodles, we’ve got the perfect pen for you.

View all Contents
  • Fabric Paint Pens: A Buying Guide
    • Quality
    • Ink
    • Tips
    • Colors
    • Fabric Type
    • Colorfastness
    • Smudge-Proof
    • Safety
  • People Also Asked
  • Trusted Insights from Artists
  • Contributors
  • Related Reviews

Our Top Picks

  • US Art Supply Fabric Paint Pens: Best for Stenciling (Shop Now) →
    Read more about this product ↓
  • Sunacme Fabric Paint Pens: Best Colors (Shop Now) →
    Read more about this product ↓
  • Zenacolor Fabric Paint Pens: Best Value (Shop Now) →
    Read more about this product ↓
  • Aen Art Fabric Paint Pens: Best for Kids (Shop Now) →
    Read more about this product ↓

Comparing the Top Fabric Paint Pens of 2025

US Art Supply Fabric Paint Pens

Best for Stenciling
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US Art Supply Fabric Pens is a revolutionary fabric pen set that offers professional-quality results. This set includes 20 vibrant and bold colors, making sure you won’t be at a loss for creative ideas. Not only does this pen set include a full rainbow of unique, eye-catching colors, but the pigments are incredibly rich and vibrant for the most vivid results when applied to a variety of fabrics. The double-ended pen set includes both fine bullet tips for precise sketching, outlining, and writing, as well as chisel tips for broad strokes and filling in larger areas.  You can let your imagination run wild when using these fabric pens. They are perfect for decorating everything from shirts and clothing to shoes, bags, placemats, and baby items like bibs. Safe to use, these pens are non-toxic and will not fade on fabrics when put through the washer. Whether you’re an experienced artist or just beginning, these fabric pens will add vibrant color to all your fabric arts and crafts projects. 

Product Pros
  • Nice selection of colors 
  • Double-sided tips for thin and bold lines
  • Color lasts after repeated washes
Product Cons
  • Not the best choice for young children

Sunacme Fabric Paint Pens

Best Colors
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The Sunacme Fabric Paint Pens are the perfect choice for people who love to express their creativity through crafting. With this versatile set of fabric pens, you can personalize and bring life to any number of items such as costumes, shirts, jeans, hats, handbags, shoes, canvas, and much more. With over 30 colors to choose from, you can easily find the perfect shade for any project you have in mind. The quality of the ink is truly remarkable, as it is designed with professional German ink for fade-resistant results — even after machine washing. The pens also feature a fine tip for precise and controlled writing, drawing, sketching, and outlining. The fine tips allow for smooth control and effortless lines that make coloring easier than ever. The pens are also non-toxic, low-odor, and acid-free so you can trust that your art design will retain its original beauty for a long time.  With the versatility and vibrant color variety of this premium-quality set, you’ll have endless options for personalizing any fabric item. 

Product Pros
  • Beautiful color selection 
  • Designs remain vibrant after washing 
  • Will not dry out with frequent use 
  • No bleed-through on fabrics
Product Cons
  • Lids don’t snap onto the pens’ tops

Zenacolor Fabric Paint Pens

Best Value
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Zenacolor Fabric Paint Pens provide an easy, exciting way to create unique designs on any fabric. These pens offer an optimal balance between convenience and precision. The ink dries quickly, typically within 24 hours, and without needing heat to set it. This makes the pens an excellent tool for both beginners and professional artists. The fine-tip pens allow for detailed work on textiles like canvas, shirts, pillowcases, jackets, banners, backpacks, and more. The pens are not restricted to just fabric as they can also be used on paper.  The permanent fabric paint used in these pens allows users to customize a myriad of textiles including high-pigmented white, black, blue, green, and red. The non-toxic ink is produced from rich pigments and is resistant to fading. It can even be machine-washed, ensuring that whatever project you tackle with these pens will stay perfect for years to come. With their excellent ink quality and ease of use, these pens stand out among similar sets. Whether you’re looking to spruce up clothes, add a personal touch to pillowcases, or turn your shoes into creative artwork, this set of fabric pens promises quality results every time.

Product Pros
  • Vibrant, easy-to-use colors 
  • Fast drying time  
  • Ink lasts for a long time 
  • Fade-resistant in the wash 
Product Cons
  • Not suitable for dark fabrics

Aen Art Fabric Paint Pens

Best for Kids
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Aen Art Fabric Paint Pens are the perfect choice for adding a personal touch to any fabric-based project. Boasting an impressive array of 30 colors, each pen features a premium fabric dye ink that is designed to last longer and provide an amazing burst of shades with every use. The fine bullet tip makes it easy to control when layering or outlining color, giving you the freedom to allow your imagination to run wild without technical restrictions.  They are designed with premium, fabric-dye ink, making them of exceptionally high quality, and they’re long-lasting with the added benefit of being colorfast — even after multiple wash cycles. The ink dries permanently and quickly and is guaranteed not to bleed or smudge. And, since these pens are multipurpose, they allow you to create stunning artwork on almost any kind of material with ease.  Whether you’re a novice or an expert in crafting, these pens have everything needed to help unleash your creativity.

Product Pros
  • Vibrant and long-lasting colors
  • Smooth consistency for easy layering
  • Doesn’t bleed even after washing
  • Fine tips for detailed work
Product Cons
  • Doesn’t work well on thin fabrics

Fabric Paint Pens: A Buying Guide

If you’re looking for a way to add a personal touch to your clothing and other fabric items, fabric paint pens are a great option. With this type of pen, you can easily draw or write your designs on any item made from fabric such as T-shirts and jackets. You can also use them to decorate items such as fabric bags, shoes, and backpacks. However, finding the right fabric paint pen can be a challenge. Not all fabric paint pens are high quality, and you want to make sure you’re getting one that’ll provide you with the best results. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the features to look for while shopping for fabric paint pens so you can find the perfect paint pens to get started on your creative projects right away.

Quality

Quality should be a top priority when it comes to choosing fabric pens. Look for pens that are durable, long-lasting, and come in bright, vivid colors. Also, look for sets with durable plastic barrels and an easy-grip design.

Ink

Water-based, lightfast, and permanent inks are the top choices for fabric projects. These inks provide the best color saturation and remain vibrant over time when projects are cared for correctly. Avoid alcohol and solvent-based inks, as they’re more likely to fade or be damaged after washes or sunlight exposure.

Tips

Different tip types provide different line widths and styles of writing and drawing. Fine tips are great for detailing; brush tips work well for shading, smudging, and creating blended colors; and chisel tips allow for thick or thin lines, depending on how you use them. Consider the size of your project when choosing the right tip type.

Colors

Color selection is key to achieving high levels of accuracy when coloring fabric projects. Opt for sets with a good variety of colors so you don’t have to limit your creativity. Look for sets that include at least 16 colors so that you can achieve a greater degree of accuracy when coloring fabric projects.

Fabric Type

Before making a purchase, it’s important to check the product’s label or listing to ensure the pens you choose are suitable for use on common base fabrics such as cotton, linen, silk, canvas, and synthetic fibers. For more delicate textiles, look for pens that won’t damage or weaken the fabric structure.

Colorfastness

Find pens that provide vivid colors that won’t fade or become damaged by sunlight and normal wear over time. Make sure to pick out washable fabric pens if you plan on using them on clothing or other items meant to be laundered.

Smudge-Proof

This is a key factor in ensuring satisfactory outcomes when creating designs with fabric pens. Look for pens that won’t bleed or smudge when the fabric is ironed or otherwise manipulated after coloring has been completed.

Safety

Safety should be a primary concern when selecting fabric pens so make sure they are non-toxic and safe to use around children and pets. Some fabric pens may also have an odor that may be irritating for some users. If this is bothersome to you, opt for pens without any overpowering scents.

People Also Asked

What type of surfaces can fabric pens be used on?

Fabric pens can be used on a variety of surfaces including cotton, polyester, rayon, velvet, leather, and canvas just to name a few. They’re perfect for adding designs or words to clothing or even creating intricate artwork on bags or shoes.

Are fabric pens safe to use on delicate fabrics such as silk and satin?

Yes, fabric pens are generally safe to use on delicate fabrics, although some may not be colorfast or may fade quickly in comparison to other fabrics. It is recommended to test the penon a small area before using it so that you can gauge the colorfastness of the pen for that particular fabric.

How long do fabric pens last on fabrics?

On average, fabric pens can last up to 20 washes on most fabrics such as cotton, polyester, and rayon. However, they may fade more quickly on delicate fabrics such as silk and satin.

How do I use fabric pens on different fabrics?

Before using a fabric pen on any type of fabric, be sure to prewash and iron the fabric first. This will ensure that any oils and residue from the manufacturing process are removed so your creation won't run or fade over time. To begin drawing, you can use either a regular pen-like motion or create a dashed line for thicker color coverage. When working with dark colors, allow your pen strokes to overlap slightly for an even finish.

How do I prevent fading when using fabric pens?

To prevent fading when using fabric pens make sure that you prewash and iron the fabric before you begin drawing. Additionally, avoid washing your projects too frequently, as this can cause them to fade faster over time. Whenever possible, spot-clean any areas that need a cleaning instead of washing the whole garment in order to preserve the color longer.

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.

Contributors

Art Life Review Team
Art Life Review Team
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