Do you want the color to sit ON the fabric or IN the fabric?

A. Fabric Paint

• What is it? Acrylic polymer mixed with pigment and a flexible binder.

• Behavior: Sits on top of the fibers. Best for precise designs and dark fabrics.

• The brands:

  • Jacquard (Textile/Neopaque): The industry standard for brush-on application. Known for leaving the fabric relatively soft.

  • Pebeo (Setacolor): Excellent French acrylics for fabric. They offer distinct "Light" (transparent) and "Opaque" lines.

  • Createx: Originally for airbrush, these fluid acrylics are incredibly soft ("soft hand") and soak into the fabric well, even when applied with a brush.

B. Fabric Dye

• What is it? Chemistry that changes the color of the fiber itself.

• Behavior: Zero texture. The fabric feels exactly the same as before.

• The Brand:

  • Jacquard: They dominate this category. Whether you need Procion MX (for cotton tie-dye) or iDye Poly (for boiling polyester), Jacquard is the go-to source.

If you're printing t-shirts or using lino blocks on fabric, you need thicker ink.

A. The Beginner Standard

• Speedball: The most accessible fabric screen printing ink. It is water-based, cleans up easily, and offers a good balance of open-time and opacity.

B. The Eco-Professional

• Permaset: An Australian brand famous for "Aqua" and "Supercover" inks. They are 100% solvent-free and eco-friendly. Their Supercover line is legendary for printing bright white on black fabric without cracking.

Just like with paper, you must respect the background color.

A. For white/light fabrics

• Jacquard Textile Color: Semi-transparent. Blends like watercolor on the fabric.

• Pebeo Setacolor Light: Very fluid, sun-fast colors designed for light cottons.

B. For black/dark fabrics

• Jacquard Neopaque: Highly pigmented opaque paints designed to cover denim and black cotton.

• Permaset Supercover: The gold standard for screen printing on darks.

• Pebeo Setacolor Opaque: Thicker consistency, excellent coverage.

For drawing fine lines, signatures, or outlining without a brush.

A. The illustrator's choice

• Marvy Uchida: Famous for the "Fabric Marker" line. They are acid-free, non-toxic, and resist bleeding (feathering) on the fabric weav

B. The graphic choice

• edding: Their 4500 (fine) and 4600 (t-shirt) pens are robust and highly resistant to washing cycles (up to 60°C).

If you skip these steps, the best brands in the world won't stick.

Step 1: Pre-wash (scouring)

• Why? New clothes have sizing (starch) that blocks paint.

• Action: Wash with detergent (no softener) and dry.

Step 2: Heat setting

• Why? Jacquard, Pebeo, Speedball, and Permaset all require heat to cure the resin.

• Action: Once dry, iron the reverse side of the fabric for 3–5 minutes (or use a heat press). If you don't heat set, the color will fade in the wash.

Walk into the store and grab these specific items.

For painting with a brush:

1. Light Fabrics: Jacquard Textile Color or Pebeo Setacolor Light.

2. Dark Fabrics: Jacquard Neopaque or Pebeo Setacolor Opaque.

3. Airbrush/Fluid: Createx Airbrush Colors.

For Screen Printing:

1. Starter: Speedball Fabric Screen Printing Ink.

2. Pro/Opaque: Permaset Aqua Supercover.

For Dyeing:

1. Cotton/Tie-Dye: Jacquard Procion MX.

2. Synthetics: Jacquard iDye Poly.

For Drawing/Outlining:

1. Pens: Marvy Uchida Fabric Markers or edding 4500 Textile Pens.