Fabric Paints & Mediums

Standard, Neon and Pearl fabric paints are recommended by Dala for light-coloured fabrics.

Metallic and Opaque fabric paints are completely opaque and rated for dark fabrics. Metallic suits both natural and synthetic fibres; Opaque can be painted or printed onto synthetics and cotton lycra.

Opaque Medium converts standard fabric paints into opaque colours, so they can go onto patterned, dyed or dark fabric. Scoped by Dala to synthetic fibres.

Flexibility. Dala states that its Standard, Metallic, Neon and Pearl fabric paints are soft, flexible and will not crack. Opaque Fabric Paint is described as maintaining a soft, flexible handle, without the same claim.

Binder Medium makes the paint colourfast, and Dala recommends it for upholstery fabric and difficult synthetic fibres.

Extender stretches paint further and can thin it for washes and glazes.

Thickener gives a heavier consistency, which aids registration and prevents bleeding — useful for printing.

Stiffener hardens fabric, for bows, patches and decorative items.

Waterproofing Medium makes textiles waterproof and works on natural and synthetic fabrics.

Heat-setting is product-specific. Do not assume one rule — check the product before planning a lesson around it.

Fabric Spray needs to be heat set.

Fabric Markers require no heat setting, and can be removed with turpentine or thinners.

Puff Paint uses heat to create its raised effect.

Match paint to fabric colour. A standard fabric paint on a navy school shirt will disappear. Use Metallic or Opaque, or add Opaque Medium.

Test first. Dala advises testing fabric markers on a sample swatch, and that is sound for any fabric project.

Binder Medium for anything that will be washed often. It makes the paint colourfast.

Liners for detail. Standard, metallic and glitter liners are made for outlines and fine work, and Dala rates all three for light and dark fabrics.