We have all seen beautiful artwork created on canvas with paint pens, but can you use them on fabric? If you’re an avid crafter, you may have heard of paint pens. They are small and easy to draw or write on various surfaces, such as paper, wood, glass, metal, and fabric. Often, people want to know if they can be used on fabric. The answer is yes! You can use them in the same way that you would use a regular pen on paper; just make sure that the surface is dry before painting with them.
This blog post will discuss how to properly use paint pens on fabric and choose the right pen for your project. Hopefully, in the end, this article will help clear up any confusion about using paint pens on fabric.
What are paint pens?
Paint pens are small felt-tip markers that allow you to write or draw on a variety of different surfaces. They were originally designed to be used on paper, but people began experimenting with using them on different surfaces. Nowadays, they can be used on fabric to create beautiful artwork for embellishment or even as a whole piece of clothing. They come in various colors and sizes, so you should be able to find the right one for your project.
How to use them on fabric?
Using fabric paint pens is very similar to using regular pens on paper. You can draw your design onto the fabric while it’s lying flat or hanging up. Make sure that the surface is dry first, and don’t use a wet pen, or you’ll get blotches instead of defined lines.
You may notice some slight bleeding from the pen onto the fabric, especially if you’re writing and your lines are thicker. There is a chance that the paint may run or bleed onto another area of the fabric as well, so keep this in mind when trying out different pens on your project.
What to look for when purchasing?
When selecting a pen for your application, remember:
- The thinner the tip, the better, as it will create a more precise line and thinner product.
- The size of the pen should be considered dependent on how large you plan to make your design. If you are only using a small area of the fabric, consider purchasing a smaller-sized pen to avoid wasting paint on areas where it’s not needed.
- You can always go back and fill in the “white space” with a fine black tip.
- If you are only using the pen for outlining, consider purchasing a pen that creates a thick line. This will allow you to draw more defined lines without having to go over them several times.
Where can you buy these pens online?
Amazon offers a variety of pens and puffy fabric paints in different sizes for purchase. Searching online, you should be able to find any color that you are looking for as well. Remember, make sure the surface is dry before painting with your new pen to not bleed onto your fabric.
Before purchasing a paint marker or pen for fabric, do your research. Look at reviews or videos to see how the paint marker works on different types of fabrics and substrates, and check the tip width before you buy.
Best Fabric Paint Pens:
There are a lot of different fabric paint pens available in the online market. They are commonly named fabric marker pens as well. So we did some research and found that there are five best fabric paint pens, which are listed below:
- Fine Point Tip Fabric Markers Pens Set
- Permanent, Oil-Based Waterproof Paint Marker Pen Set
- Chalkola Acrylic Paint Pens
- Art Marker Set for Writing Painting on T-Shirts Clothes
- Permanent 24 Colors Fabric Paint
Pros and cons of using them on fabric:
Pros :
Paint pens are very easy and convenient to use because they don’t require much cleaning up. They’re also great for creating artwork on a variety of different surfaces.
Cons :
The paint may bleed or run onto the fabric as you are drawing, so there is some risk involved with using them. It’s always a good idea to test the pen on a hidden area of the fabric and check for color bleeding or running.
Tips for using them on fabrics:
- Take precautions in applying your pen to the project. Try using a protective spray, varnish, or sealant on the fabric before you begin to draw on it.
- Do not use them if they have any clogging issues; these markers are not to be used as permanent markers and will cause damage to fabrics as well as skin.
- Store them in a cool, dry place when not using them.
- Test on the back of a fabric or hidden area before drawing and painting.
- Do not use these markers on sheer materials such as silk; unless you have sealed them first, they will run from the fabric surfaces under pressure.
- Try to do small designs because gesso and white paint are available in more concentrated levels for fine details, be sure you’re applying the correct color to your project.
- Do not use any fabric pen on delicate fabrics; they will bleed and run right off. Test first with a sample piece before using them again.
- Always keep these pens away from children or pets because they may hurt themselves when handling them.
- Let the paint dry properly before washing.
- If you have a problem with bleeding, apply gesso to the fabric first and then do your drawing. Also, try using Rosemary extract on the fabric before applying paint because it helps keep paint from bleeding and repel insects.
- Be sure not to overwork your pens trying to get long lines, or thin lines will appear in the finished product.
Conclusion:
We hope that this article has been helpful in answering any questions you may have about the use of paint pens on fabric. With a little knowledge, these pens are easy to work with and can make for some really beautiful projects!