Can I Paint Velvet with Fabric Paint?
We get asked this a lot and absolutely, yes, you can paint absorbent velvet with fabric paint. Painting velvet fabric does require a little more attention due to its unique texture and pile but it’s so worth the effort.
Here are some tips to help you successfully paint velvet with fabric paint:
1. Preparation
Before painting, it's essential to prepare the velvet fabric properly. Start by gently vacuuming or brushing the fabric to remove any dust or debris, then clean with a suitable upholstery cleaner.
2. Quantity
We recommend ordering double the quantities of fabric paint if you’re painting absorbent velvet because there's lots more surface area to cover on this type of fabric.
- Apply Fabricoat following the product instructions.
- Allow to dry, then leave the area to cure for seven days.
- If the instructions require brushing the pile, do this while the paint is drying.
- Once cured, use a clean dry cloth to gently wipe the surface:
- A very small amount of colour transfer is normal.
- If the paint wipes off easily, the fabric might not be the perfect match for this product.
If you’re happy with the coverage, texture and adhesion after the test, you can proceed with your project.
3. Testing
A must before you begin. Test the fabric paint on a small, inconspicuous area of the fabric. This will help you check the fabric’s absorbency, texture, and adhesion.
4. Thin Layers
When applying fabric paint to velvet, it's best to use thin layers rather than thick coats. This helps prevent the paint from clumping or matting the velvet fibres together, which can affect the fabric's texture and appearance.
5. Brush Selection
Choose a soft bristle paint brush for painting velvet to minimise disruption to the fabric's pile. Avoid using stiff brushes, as they can damage the delicate fibres of the velvet.
6. Paint Direction
Pay attention to the direction of the velvet pile when painting. Brush the fabric paint onto the velvet in the same direction as the pile to maintain its natural texture and appearance.
7. Drying Time:
Allow each layer of paint to dry completely before applying additional coats. Velvet fabric can take longer to dry than other fabrics, so be patient and brush each coat to ensure even distribution.
Following these tips (especially the patch test) and taking care during the painting process, you can successfully paint velvet fabric with fabric paint and create pieces with the fab factor.
Check out our range of colours and tools to help you get started on your Fabricoat journey.
Image credit to @samsprettylittlehome
