Can You Spray Paint Fabric? (Cotton, Polyester, Wool & More)

Spray paint can be so much fun to use! It’s sometimes referred to as aerosol paint and comes safely contained in a pressurized can. One quick press of the nozzle and your paint is ready to be applied with no need for brushes, buckets, or mixing colors.

A classic spray paint usage is for repainting decks and fencing, as the aerosol allows an even coverage across the whole area in very little time than painting by hand would achieve.  

Fast, easy, and cheap are a very good combination to look for when working on DIY projects involving your furniture, decor, or wardrobe. This is why you might be drawn to spray paint as a good solution for upcycling, revamping, or adding a little flair to a favorite outfit. It’s often good at adhering to surfaces and, if applied correctly, it will last a long time.   

Spray paint can be applied to various surfaces, including fabric, carpet, jewelry, and even certain kinds of leather. Acrylic paint often works well with the fabric, but you must always use a non-toxic variant, especially if the item you're painting is clothing or furniture. 

Natural fibers will absorb the paint better than synthetic materials like polyester. You must also make sure the paint won't be ruined in the washing machine or react with any chemicals if the clothes are dry-clean only. It is normal for paint color to fade slightly after the first wash.  

However, not every type of spray paint will work on all materials. It's so important to check the paint carefully before buying and using it, or you may ruin a beloved outfit. When using paint on fabric, good qualities to look out for are flexibility, durability, and resistance to cracking, peeling, or contact residue.

If the paint hardens the material when dry, it can easily crack and ruin the design or be unusable. If you are painting clothing or curtains, flexible fabric paint is an absolute must. 

Here are the results you might expect from spray painting these different types of fabric. 

Yes- if you’re using fabric-compatible paint! Cotton fibers are natural, especially if they’re 100% cotton. Many items of clothing are likely to be cotton, including denim jeans. You may also find cotton used for sofas, bed sheets, curtains, and other furnishings.

Cotton is easy to wrinkle, which comes in handy when used alongside spray paint or tie-dye for cool designs and patterns. Cotton’s durable nature allows it to absorb paint well, although certain items may need to be washed first before painting, as cotton can shrink.  

Yes - but not as easily as 100% cotton. Due to its cotton content, blended polycotton fabric will absorb the paint, but not as well due to the addition of polyester. This will also make it less easy to wrinkle but easier to damage with heat.

Spray paint dries better and adheres easier when heat is applied, making spray painting it harder. Before committing to a whole project, test a small area of the material first. 

You could, but the results may not be as good as they are for natural fibers. Heat may damage it easier when drying the paint, and the paint may not adhere as strongly as it will for cotton, leaving it in danger of cracking or chipping. It may be easier to use fabric dye for this material. 

Yes! There are even specific spray paints made for use on upholstery. This can make a big decoration project much cheaper than if you were attempting to use a whole new material on a sofa or a dining chair!

However, it may take a good number of cans of paint depending on the size of your project, and it's crucial to allow the paint to dry fully to avoid paint rubbing off on clothes, pets, or other items.  

Yes! Wool is another natural fiber, so it will take the paint quite well. However, it's very important to use a flexible paint on wool as its buoyant nature may mean the paint could flatten the fibers.

Make sure the paint is suitable for wool and will not harden it. Another issue may also be color bleeding. If the wool has an existing color, this may impact the final result - a lighter color won’t easily cover a dark hue. 

It may be better not to. Silk doesn’t do well with too much heat, which is needed to dry spray paint for the best result. To add a new design to your silk items, use paint specifically made for silk with brushes or silk dye. 

Yes! Linen is another woven natural fiber and can also be wrinkled easily, like cotton. It is very absorbent, so it will take paint well. 

Yes! Spray painting tulle can give your decor a very cute flair. It will be hard to add very complicated designs, and you will need to be very careful to lay out coverings to protect the surface you are working on. 

Probably not. Leather does not usually take spray paint well, although some spray paint claims it can be used on leather or synthetic leather. Dyes made for leather may be a better alternative. 

The best reasons to use spray paint are that it’s easy to use, fast to apply, and cheaper than other alternatives. With DIY projects often becoming expensive due to all the materials required, saving costs where you can is essential. 

Spray paint is very easy to get the hang of, with some cans even designed to work when held upside-down, allowing you to reach every angle required. With a bit of practice, anyone can master the spray.  

When applied well, spray paint attaches to surfaces well and lasts a long time. Fabric paints are often designed to leave the material soft and without a paint-like texture. Stencil Fabric spray paint also works well on fabric but will leave a noticeable raised texture when dry.  

Spray paint on fabric works best when heat is applied as it dries, either by being left outside on a hot day or by using a hairdryer. Using the right kind of paint for the right type of surface, such as fabric-specific paint for fabric items, will ensure you get the finish you want. 

However, spray paint is not without its downsides. Large projects may require a lot of cans, which could start to push your DIY budget back up! There is also the issue of fumes.

Spray paint should only be used in well-ventilated areas, ideally outside or indoors, with doors and windows open. Masks and protective clothing may also be needed to protect you from fumes and splatter. 

You will need: 

Many of the big paint brands have a wide range of spray paints, and among these options are often aerosols intended to be used on fabric. Some are specifically intended for use on indoor or outdoor furniture, while others are designed especially for clothes. 

Some brands such as Krylon and Montana don’t have fabric options as readily available and seem to produce paint intended for surfaces like wood and metal, rather than fabric. 

The best brands for fabric spray paint, with some great examples of their ranges, include: 

Tulip ColorShot has a great range of colors in its Instant Fabric range, even selling fun multi-packs of complementary colors. This spray paint can be used on both natural and synthetic fibers and promises to be splatter and drip-free.

Tulip ColorShot also has a spray paint for upholstery, which will leave the texture being painted still looking natural after it has dried.  

Dupli-Color’s Vinyl and Fabric range has a durable and flexible finish and can even be used to recolor carpets. In addition, its formula includes a primer, saving you an extra step in your process! It also promises to be dry to the touch in 30 minutes, along with crack, chip, and peel-free. 

This brand is well-known for its quality paints, including a great range of spray paints with nozzles that can perform at any angle. Among their range is a very specific paint designed for repainting the fabric on outdoor furniture! Their Vinyl and Fabric paint claims to be useable on simulated leather. 

Fabric spray paint is an affordable solution to your decoration budgeting woes. It’s very easy to use and can produce some fantastic results. Are you feeling inspired yet?