Stencil Paints Part 1: Stenciling with fabric paints

Fabric paint is a paint that is specially formulated to be used on textiles. Water based fabric paint like other types of paint is an emulsion of pigments, synthetic binders and a solvent. The solvent in most fabric paints is water.

Fabric paints usually require a heat setting process to make the dry paint permanent. This usually involves ironing the garment after the paint has dried. Fabric paint also contains a number of additives to give it various characteristics such as softness and the ability to stretch without cracking.

Sometimes fabric paint manufacturers offer a number of additives that allow the paint to adhere to partly synthetic or totally synthetic fabrics. Pearlescent, metallic and iridescent fabric paints are readily available from many craft stores and art suppliers.

Fabric paints do not change the color of the fibre such as a fabric dye would. Instead the paint adheres to the surface of the fibres.

You use fabric paint much like you would use ordinary paint. Fabric dye is different from fabric paint. Fabric dyes, change the colors of the textile fibres at a molecular level. Fabric paints are emulsions of pigments suspended in synthetic binders much like acrylic paints. A large assortment of fabric paints are available both online and offline. Fabric paint adheres best to natural fibres like silk linen and cotton .

Some fabrics are treated when new, and will tend to resist fabric paints. In this case they should be pre washed. Most t-shirts that I have painted did not require pre washing. Cotton lycra is great for fabric painting. Make a note to read the washing heat setting and general care instructions on the label or from the paint manufacturer before using them.

There are two main types of fabric paint. They are often labeled as "standard colors" and " "super cover". Super cover paints are formulated for dark garments or fabrics. Super cover paints tend to be thick and buttery.

When you apply a super cover paint over a dark garment, you will not be able to see the fabrics color through the paint layer. If you are painting light colored or white fabrics, use standard colors. You can also dilute standard fabric paint to simulate water color effects.

The best super cover paints are professional water-based silkscreen paints. Professional fabric inks give superior results especially on dark colored materials. Professional screen inks have high pigment strength and superior working characteristics.

Both regular and "super cover" fabric paints can be brushed or airbrushed onto the fabric through the stencil. Heavy body or super cover paints can also be applied through the stencils with a plastic spatula. This method yields a smoother and thicker result that when applied with a brush

You may also use Artist acrylic paint over fabric paint. The dragon image on the right was stenciled with base colors of super cover paint over black cotton lycra fabric. Once the fabric paint was dry, I airbrushed acrylic paint over the top to achieve the various colors and effects. The fabric was then heat-set with and iron.

The fabric was then used to make tights. I have sold hundreds of these dragon designs over 14 years and have observed the natural wear and tear of the painted design. I have always advised my customers to hand wash these garments gently to preserve and extend the life of the image.

Even after 12 months of wear, many of the designs were as fresh and brilliant as the day I painted them. Not everybody took care to hand wash. Garments that were machine washed still lasted a long time but the colors were nowhere near as brilliant. In some cases where the tights were machine washed in Hot water with strong detergent, the acrylic layers often faded or came off.

Fabric paints are also great for painting on canvas. I have used super cover paint to actually prime the canvas before applying the stencil work.

Brands of fabric paint

Matsui, Permaset, Tintex, Neopaque, Aquatex, Createx, Lumiere, PROfab, PRObrite, Speedbal, Versatex, Jacquard, Pebeo Setacolor, Jones Tones