Can You Use Acrylic Paint On Fleece Fabric?

Fleece is a gorgeous and useful fabric to keep you warm and provide comfort. The lightweight fabric lets you stay comfy within your budget and can be used as a fashion material. You can design your fleece fabric in many ways. 

Can you dye fleece with acrylic paint? Customizing your fleece products can be a good way to show your creativity. However, all fleece fabric does not work well with acrylic paint. You can use other dyes, but acrylic paint can be uncomfortable for thick and soft fleece fabrics. Though for thinner and smoother fabrics, you can use acrylic paint without any worries.

Here, I have discussed different fleece fabrics and their relationship with acrylic paint. Let’s get to know them better.

Can You Use Acrylic Paint On Fleece Fabric?

Will Acrylic Paint Work On Fleece Fabric?

There are over 11 types of fleece fabric on the market. You can paint on most of them using acrylic paint. You can use acrylic paint on different surfaces. But fleece fabric is a tricky one among them. 

Some fleece fabrics are much more suitable for acrylic paints than others. For instance, you can easily use acrylic paint on polyester fleece or microfleece. But it will not be a good idea to use the same acrylic paint on spandex fleece.

Does Fleece Fabric Look Good While Paint With Acrylic Colors?

Knowing the characteristics of fleece fabric, you will probably wonder whether using acrylic paint on fleece looks good or not. Well, it depends on the type of fabric. If the fleece fabric is stretchy or bulky, using acrylic paint on them might not be the best idea.

If the surface of your fleece fabric is smooth and the fabric is not too bulky, you can easily use acrylic paint to color and decorate it. 

You also need to consider the stretchiness of the fabric. If the fabric is too stretched, it can be difficult to keep the acrylic paint crack-free for a long time.

Can You Use Acrylic Paint On Different Types Of Fleece Fabric?

The versatile use of acrylic paint makes it possible to give a retouch to your fleece fabric. Let’s learn how different fleece fabrics work with acrylic paint.

Can You Use Acrylic Paint On Polyester Fleece Fabric?

Polyester fleece is one of the most commonly used fleeces. You will find various polyester fleece products like jackets, hats, and blankets. As polyester fleece doesn’t shrink, you can paint on them using acrylic paint. 

It is better not to use the paint directly on the fabric as it can make it stiff. Use a suitable fabric medium to set the paint properly and make it more durable.

Can I Apply Acrylic Colors On Spandex Fleece Fabric?

Spandex fleece is famous for its stretchiness. As you can stretch it a lot due to the spandex fibers, you need special treatment for decorating them. Acrylic paint does not sit well with spandex fleece. 

Painting your spandex fleece with acrylic paint can make the fabric look stiff and bulky. It will also wear off easily because of the cracks forming due to the fabric stretching. So, you better avoid acrylic paint in this case.

Can You Color Microfleece Fabric With Acrylic Paint?

Microfleece lives up to its name. It is the thinnest fleece fabric of all. If you do not live in a freezing environment, microfleece can provide enough comfort. Microfleece has a smooth and soft surface that you can use as the canvas for your acrylic paint.

You can use acrylic paint to color your microfleece fabric. All you need to do is mix the paint with a suitable fabric medium and draw the pattern you want. The result will amaze you.

Does Acrylic Paint On Sherpa Fleece Look Good?

No, using acrylic paint on sherpa fleece fabric is not wise. Sherpa fleece is one of the softest and thickest fleece fabrics. They are popular for their warmth and gentle feel. But if you use acrylic paint on them, the fleece will become stiff after absorbing the paint. 

Also, the thickness makes it difficult for the paint to spread properly. So, the fabric will absorb a lot of colors and become harsher on your skin.

Can You Paint Your Anti-Peel Fleece Fabric With Acrylic Paint?

Yes, you can paint your anti-peel fleece fabric with acrylic paint. Because fleece fabrics are recycled plastic, they cannot withstand heat. Also, the fiber peels off after it gets old. 

The anti-peel fleece fabric prevents that peeling for a long time. So, drawing something using acrylic paint on your anti-pill fleece fabric will last a long time. The fabric surface is quite smooth and a good paint surface for your acrylic paint.

How Does Acrylic Paint Look On Plush Fleece?

Plush fleece is one of the heaviest fleece fabrics. This soft and thick fabric makes amazing blankets. You will find other plush fleece products, but blankets are the most popular.

As the fabric is quite soft and has an uneven texture, it is not wise to use acrylic paint on them. The uneven texture makes it difficult to apply acrylic paint. 

Also, the fabric will harden quickly. But if you want to use acrylic paint on it, make sure the paint is very thin and the fabric can absorb the paint.

Can You Use Acrylic Paint On Cotton Fleece Fabric?

Unlike other fleece fabrics, cotton fleece is made of natural fiber. It is quite soft and breathable. But the downside of this fabric is that it shrinks. So if you want to use acrylic paint on it, you need to ensure that the fabric is not shrinking.

Wash your cotton fleece thoroughly and dry them properly if you decide to use acrylic paint on them. You might need to wash the fabric 2 or 3 times. After the fabric dries and is done shrinking, then you can draw your pattern and apply acrylic paint to it. 

Make sure to mix the acrylic paint with enough fabric medium, so the color stays flowy and comfortable for you to wear.

Can You Color Polar Fleece Fabric With Acrylic Paint?

Polar fleece, also known as arctic fleece, is quite warm and thick. If you are staying in a cold area, polar fleece will give you the comfort you need to stay warm. Though polar fleece is more on the thick side, it has a moderately smooth surface. 

If your polar fleece does not peel off easily, you can use acrylic paint on them. But you should not use thick acrylic paint. Thick acrylic paint will make the fleece stiff. As a result, you will not be able to enjoy the soft and smooth surface of your blanket or jacket.

Can You Use Acrylic Paint On Other Type Of Things Made With Fleece Fabric?

Whether you can use acrylic paint on your fleece fabric depends on the fabric type. There is minimal effect of the product type. Let’s learn how different fleece fabric products can be decorated with acrylic paint.

Can You Use Acrylic Paint On Fleece Blankets?

Almost all type of fleece fabric is used to make fleece blankets. You will find blankets made of polyester fleece, microfleece, or even sherpa fleece.

If your blanket is made of polyester fleece or microfleece, you can apply acrylic paint to them. The essential requirement for painting your blanket is to have a pill-free, smooth surface. 

If your blanket is fluffy and soft, using acrylic paint might harden the fabric and make it uncomfortable. You should not use acrylic paint on blankets made of plush fleece or sherpa fleece.

Can You Use Acrylic Paint On Fleece Jackets?

Yes, you can paint your fleece jacket with acrylic paint. To use acrylic paint on your fleece jacket, you need to smooth the surface and remove any peel-off. It is better if your jacket is made of anti-peel fleece. 

However, if the surface of your jacket is not smooth, you should not use acrylic paint on it. The soft and stretchy fleece fabric can become stiff and uncomfortable if you use heavy acrylic paint on them.

Can You Use Acrylic Paint On Fleece Hats?

There are mainly two types of fleece hats. One is stretchy, and the other one is non-stretchy. If your fleece hat is too stretchy or you need to stretch the hat every time you put it on, be careful while choosing the paint. 

For a stretchy hat, painting it with acrylic paint might be a bad idea. Continuous stretching can create small cracks through the design, making your hat look ugly. 

But if you do not need to stretch your hat frequently, you are free to decorate it with acrylic paint.

Can You Use Acrylic Paint On Fleece Scarves?

Yes, you can decorate your scarves using acrylic paint. Fleece scarves are usually made of polyester fleece or microfleece. Using acrylic paint on them is not an issue as it will look good while keeping the original qualities of the fabric intact.

Usually, you wrap your scarf around your shoulder or neck. They don’t need to be stretched much. So the acrylic paint will not crack. 

But if your scarf is made of heavy fiber like sherpa fleece, then you should not use acrylic paint. It can make the fabric stiff and uncomfortable.

Can You Use Acrylic Paint On Fleece Sweatpants?

In most cases, you will be able to use acrylic paint on your fleece sweatpants. The fleece fabric is quite good with acrylic paints. If the fabric of your sweatpant does not peel off easily and has a smooth surface, you can paint it with acrylic paint.

If the surface is soft and hairy, you need to make the acrylic paint thinner for the design to not come out as chunky. 

There are some stretchy sweatpants on-trend nowadays. If you want to paint stretchy fabrics, it is better to avoid acrylic paints for that. Stretching your fabric can make your acrylic paint look cracked.

Is It Easy To Paint Fleece Fabrics With Acrylic Paint?

As you already know, not all fleece fabrics are suitable for acrylic paints. Fabrics like sherpa fleece or plush fleece can be challenging to paint using acrylic paint. But if the surface of your fleece fabric is suitable for applying acrylic paint, it’s easy.

You can follow the usual steps. You can make the paint solution, adjust the consistency, and paint using the solution. It will give you a great result without difficulties. In short, if you know how to apply acrylic paint, you can easily paint your fleece fabric.

Suggested Materials You May Need

For painting with acrylic paint, you will need some extra materials and tools. You’ll need paint brushes, paint medium, and in some cases, varnish. Let’s learn about some of the best products that will help you get a better result.

#1 Rosmax Detail Paint Brushes : (Recommended Paint Brushes For Fleece Fabrics)

Rosmax Detail Paint Brushes are convenient for detailed work. While working on fleece fabric, you must be careful to draw the linings so that it does not bleed or make the paint smudgy. These detailed paint brushes are perfect for that work. 

Many users have shown immense satisfaction and obsession with these brushes. You will find these brushes very affordable compared to their usefulness. 

If you are not a professional, then it can be difficult to maintain your balance all the time. These paint brushes will give you a better grip. Their small structure will help you handle them without effort.


#2 Liquitex Professional Effects Medium : (Suggested Fabric Medium For Fleece Fabrics)

You will always need is suitable fabric medium.  It will make your acrylic paint long-lasting and flexible for your fabric. This Liquitex Professional Effects Medium is perfect for you. 

You can make your acrylic paint soft and suitable for various types of fabrics. It is especially helpful for fleece fabric. Its unique quality makes the paint soft and breathable.

It delighted users with the result of this medium. They have recommended using it on different fabrics. If you want to maintain the softness of your fabric, mix the paint and medium in a 1:1 ratio. You can mix more medium to get a thinner consistency.


Over To You

Fleece is a fascinating fabric to work with. It will give you comfort and warmth while keeping the fabric light and soft. Customizing your fleece outfit is a good idea if you love the result. 

I have discussed the application of acrylic paint on fleece fabric. I hope it helps you to understand better. Let me know your opinion and experience using acrylic paint on fleece fabric.

Further Reading

What Are Different Types of Fleece?
4 Most Popular Fleece Types Explained
Understanding Different Types of Fleece

Similar Posts

Leave a Reply