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Can You Use Acrylic Paint on Polyester?

Painting fabric is a really great hobby and fun for everyone. When it comes to painting on fabric, you need to make sure you are using a paint that will work well and adhere properly to the fabric. Thinking specifically of polyester, what paint should you use to paint it?

So, can you use acrylic paint on polyester? Yes! The best paint to use for painting on polyester is acrylic paint. To make the paint flawlessly stick to the fabric, you are going to need to mix it with a fabric medium. Doing this will also help the acrylic paint stay on the fabric permanently and not chip or peel off. 

Applying acrylic paint to polyester is a simple process. You need to prepare the fabric and the paint before you can get started, then you are ready to go. As long as you follow the instructions listed below, you will have your polyester perfectly painted in no time! Let’s read on to find out more!

How to Use Acrylic Paint on Polyester Fabric

The first thing you need to do is prewash the polyester fabric you are going to be using. This will rid the fabric of any sealant or coating that was applied by the manufacturer. These are chemicals that are used to make the fabric fire-resistant and water-resistant. Prewashing will also get rid of any dirt or dust that might be on the fabric.

When your fabric is prepped, you will need to prep the paint. Before opening your acrylic paint, make sure you shake the container. This will mix the pigments with the liquids and prevent you from working with a thin, runny paint. You will then mix one part fabric medium with two parts of the acrylic paint.

My favorite and top pick is always Arteza Acrylic Fabric Paints. They have so many different colors, and the quality is amazing! I usually use Arteza Paints for all my projects.

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Before you start applying the paint, it will be helpful to dampen the fabric. You should use a mister bottle to dampen because this will prevent you from getting the fabric too wet. You want it to just be damp, not soaked.

You can then start applying the acrylic paint to the polyester however you wish. There are some acrylic paints that need to set with heat before you can wash them. Check the label of your paint to see what the requirements are. The label should also have instructions on how to properly apply heat to the paint.

Give the paint a minimum of 24 hours to dry before you put it in the washer. This will ensure that all of your hard work is not undone when you put it through the washer. After it is washed and dried, you will want to consider adding a sealant to provide extra protection to your painted fabric.

Does Acrylic Paint Dye Polyester?

You might be surprised to learn that acrylic paint can dye polyester easier than most fabric paints can. The most important thing is making sure that the acrylic paint you are using doesn’t have any solvents in it. Most will not, but you should always check just to be sure.

Just like painting with acrylic on polyester, you will need to add a fabric medium to the paint. This will keep the paint flexible and prevent any potential cracking as it dries. You will need to use hot water during the dye process, between 105- and 140-degrees Fahrenheit, for the best results. It is recommended to use boiling water instead of regular water when you dye the fabric.

How Do You Seal Acrylic Paint on Polyester?

While it isn’t necessary to seal acrylic paint on polyester, it can be extremely beneficial to your work. A sealant will protect your artwork from stains, scratches, peeling, and cracking. Sealing acrylic paint on polyester is not like sealing it on other surfaces, but it is still pretty easy.

There are two main ways that you can seal acrylic paint on polyester. First, you can use just a clear fabric medium and paint it over your acrylic painting. As the medium dries, it will work to form a stronger bond between the paint and the polyester fabric. This simple step can greatly increase the life of your artwork.

The other way you can seal your acrylic paint on polyester is by using heat. The best way to do this is with an iron. When you are using your iron to seal your acrylic paint, it is important to make sure you aren’t using the steam setting. Turn your fabric inside out so you aren’t ironing directly on your painting.

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If you can’t turn your fabric inside out, take a scrap piece of fabric and place it over your paint. You can then iron on that scrap fabric and get the same results. It is essential that you don’t iron directly on your paint because this can cause unwanted transfer.

Next, you will turn your iron on to medium heat. Iron over the area for a maximum of five minutes, but no less than three minutes. Try working in small sections, as it will be harder to move your iron across a smaller surface than a large one. 

After you seal your acrylic, it is recommended to wait a minimum of 24 hours before you wash it. This will give the sealant plenty of time to set and it won’t be ruined by your washing machine.

What’s the Difference Between Fabric Paint and Acrylic Paint?

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It can be tricky to determine what the difference between fabric paint and acrylic paint is. However, there are actually more differences than you might think. 

First, fabric paint can only be used on natural fabrics while acrylic can be used on natural and synthetic fabrics. This is due to the fact that acrylic paint is more versatile than fabric paint and it can be used on so many different surfaces. Acrylic can not only be used on fabric, but canvas, paper, plastic, and many other surfaces.

Fabric paint is made of dye and a binding agent, making it easy to cling and soak into the fabric. Acrylic paint will only stay on the surface of the fabric, meaning it won’t soak in and bind quite as well. In order to get acrylic to bind like fabric paint, you need a fabric medium.

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After regular washing and wear, fabric paint won’t be damaged. The color might fade, but that is the worst you need to worry about. Acrylic paint needs some extra help from fabric mediums, or it will crack and chip, ruining your design. It needs to be sealed for maximum protection from damage.

Final Thoughts

Fabric painting is a fun hobby that can be enjoyed by everyone. You can use acrylic paint as the perfect alternative to fabric paint for polyester fabric. In order to use acrylic paint, you need to mix it with a fabric medium to allow it to adhere properly to the fabric. Without it, the acrylic paint will easily crack and chip.

You will also need to seal the acrylic paint to the polyester to extend its life. You can do this with a clear fabric medium or with heat. They will both protect your painting, so it will just depend on what you are comfortable with doing. Whichever you decide to use, make sure you wait a minimum of 24 hours before washing.

Make sure to follow all my tips and recommended products to ensure your acrylic painted project turns out great! Also, don’t forget to check out my other articles for all your painting Q&A’s. Happy painting! 

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