Squishies are incredibly popular and really cute. They come in several different designs and bright colors with the ability to be squeezed like a stress ball. You can find squishies in the shape of a coffee cup, chocolate bar, mermaids, even a milk carton.
If you have a squishy that you are obsessed with, there may come a time that it starts to lose color. In this case, you might be wondering if you can touch-up the paint on the surface of the squishy. If you can repaint, what is the best paint to use?
So, can you use acrylic paint on squashes? Yes! It’s possible to repaint a squishy with acrylic paint. It dries quickly and applies smoothly to the surface. The paint is also durable and should resist to cracking, but there is always a possibility for cracking when applying paint to a delicate surface like a squishy.
How to Paint a Squishy with Acrylic Paint
Painting squishies with acrylic paint is easy, but you will need to make sure you follow the correct steps to enhance the adhesion of the paint and prevent cracking as much as possible. The application of the paint is important for the best outcome.
My favorite and top pick is always Arteza Acrylic Paints. They have so many different colors, and the quality is amazing! I usually use Arteza Paints for all my projects.
You can apply the acrylic paint with a paintbrush or a popsicle stick. Using a popsicle stick will prevent any visible brush strokes from showing in the paint. Apply the paint in thin layers, as thicker layers have a much higher risk of cracking.
There are a few different ways you can use acrylic paint on a squishy. You can use the acrylic paint alone, mix it with glue, or you can mix it with fabric paint. Making changes to the acrylic paint will give you a slightly different finish.
You can mix the acrylic paint with fabric paint to apply it to the squishy. Using fabric paint with the acrylic paint will give the paint a much stronger hold on the squishy. You will also see more of a matte finish with this mixture. If you want the product to be glossy, you can add a sealant.
I highly recommend using Arteza Fabric Paint, if you plan on mixing the acrylic paint.
If you use just acrylic paint, there isn’t any preparation that needs to take place before you start painting. Pour your paint onto a palette and grab the tool you are going to paint with. Apply the paint in thin layers on the squishy, allowing each layer to dry before adding the next.
After you have finished adding the acrylic paint, you will need to seal it to protect it as much as possible. A sealant will protect the acrylic from scratches and cracks. You can choose any kind of finish that you want on top of acrylic paint.
I always use Mod Podge to seal my acrylic painted projects. They have a variety of finishes, and some are even waterproof!
You can also mix acrylic paint with glue on a squishy. Prepare the paint and glue mixture on your palette. Use more acrylic paint than glue in the mixture to stay as close to the color of the paint as possible. When you have your mixture, you can apply it to the squishy.
If you apply glue, it will give the paint more of a matte finish than a glossy finish. With the glue mixed into the paint, you will not need to use a sealant unless you want a finish that isn’t matte. An acrylic sealer, like Krylon Spray will work best to protect acrylic paint.
Can You Use Acrylic Paint Pens on Squishies?
If you want to create fine details on your squishies, you can do so with acrylic paint pens. The best way to do this is paint a thin layer of acrylic paint before using the acrylic pens. This will give you a base coat for the paint pens to stick to and reduce the risk of the paint running.
You will want to make sure the base coat is completely dry before using the acrylic paint pens to add designs to your squishies. This will prevent the two paints from blending together and washing out your design.
After you use the acrylic paint pen, you will need to wait for it to dry completely before adding any sealant on top. When you add a sealant, the acrylic paint pen artwork will stick to the squishy and be extremely durable.
Can You Use Sharpies on Squishies?
Using a Sharpie is another great way to add detailed designs to your squishies. Sharpie ink is very flexible and highly unlikely to crack. Sharpies are also permanent, so they won’t begin to peel off the surface of the squishies.
Sharpie ink does have the tendency to run, so you should try to apply a base coat of paint before using a Sharpie for designs. It will also be beneficial to use a sealant on top of a Sharpie design. Even though the ink is permanent, there is still a chance that over time it will rub off the surface of the squishy.
This Sharpie Color Burst Pack is great for those fine point designs you may want to paint on your squishy.
Squishies are constantly touched and squished, and the constant pressure and heat from your hand can eventually rub off the surface. This can be frustrating, so it is best to avoid it as much as possible. A sealant can help you protect your Sharpie from rubbing off.
How Do You Seal a Painted Squishy?
After you finish painting your squishy, you are going to want to seal it to protect the artwork as much as possible. To seal your artwork, it is essential that you use the right kind of sealant. The best possible sealant you can use for squishies is Mod Podge.
There are several different Mod Podge formulas that you can use as a sealant. There is a gloss finish, matte finish, even glitter finish. Using Mod Podge as a finish can add more creativity to your squishy while adding an extra layer of protection.
When you are sealing your squishy with Mod Podge, you will first need to make sure the paint is completely cured. As you apply the first layer, make sure it is smooth. Apply in one direction, such as top to bottom or left to right.
When you move on to apply a second layer, alternate the brush strokes. If you went left to right on the first layer, go top to bottom on the second. This will minimize visible brush strokes and ensure that you don’t miss any spots.
If you don’t want to use a brush-on sealant, there is also a Spray Mod Podge. It has all of the benefits of regular Mod Podge, but you can apply it easier and quicker. The spray Mod Podge also has the added benefit of preventing fingerprints, which is ideal for something that you will be touching frequently.
Final Thoughts
Squishies are squishable and make for quick stress relief. They also have the added benefit of being extremely adorable. If you are constantly using your squishy as stress relief, the paint is going to eventually rub off. You can repaint it with your own design or a completely new design when this happens.
If you do paint on your squishies, you will want to protect the paint as much as possible. Use a sealant, preferably Mod Podge, to keep your artwork intact and prevent the paint from cracking or peeling. Mod Podge comes in several different finishes, so you can get the exact look you are going for.
Make sure to follow all my tips and recommended products to ensure your acrylic painted squishy turns out amazing. Also, don’t forget to check out my other articles for all your painting Q&A’s. Happy painting!
