The main difference between acrylic and fabric paint is that acrylic paint has a thick consistency, whereas fabric paint does not have a thick consistency.
Although acrylic paint and fabric paint are used for similar purposes, there are distinctions between acrylic paint and fabric paint.
Key Areas Covered
1. What is Acrylic Paint
– Definition, Features
2. What is Fabric Paint
– Definition, Features
3. Difference Between Acrylic and Fabric Paint
– Comparison of Key Differences
Key Terms
Acrylic Paint, Fabric Paint
What is Acrylic Paint
Acrylic paint is a water-based paint used for drawings. Acrylic paint is very thick, and it has the quality of fast drying. Painters can use acrylic paint on all kinds of fabrics. Although this paint is water-soluble, it dries immediately after painting. These paints have a water-resistant quality, although we use them in fabric or canvas. We can use it in fabrics to design cloth and accessories because fabrics are reusable and can wash them again and again.
Acrylic paints are very bright and colorful. The consistency of acrylic paints is greater than watercolors. Due to this quality, the clothes and fabrics that are colored using acrylic paint are very bright and colorful. Another advantage of using acrylic paints for drawing is that the user can clean them up with water when wet. Most artists use acrylic paints in different styles and different techniques. This paint has a low odor and no fumes. Further, acrylic paints are non-flammable. However, adding too much water to acrylic paints will ruin the even distribution and balance of colors in the paintings.
What is Fabric Paint
Fabric paints are paints often used to work with fabrics and clothes. Fabric paints have the special characteristic of clinging to fabrics, and they adhere better to clothes. They are a mixture of fabric dye and binder. Thus, with the right materials, anybody can make fabric paint easily. Generally, fabric paints adhere to the natural fiber well, whereas they do not adhere well to synthetic fabrics. Another characteristic of fabric paints is that they easily blend into the fabric and cling on to all the types of clothes and accessories like T-shirts, scarves, bedsheets, curtains, pants, and coats.
Fabric paint dries very quickly as soon as applied to the fabric. Nevertheless, it’s not possible to use fabric paintings for paintings on canvas. Even after washing multiple times, the paint does not get damaged. Although the color may fade after several years, no major harm or damage may occur to the design. We can both hand-wash and machine wash the clothes with fabric paint with wash detergents or regular soap. You can easily wash fabric paint with water when wet. These paints dissolve evenly on the fabric in a large area.
Similarities Between Acrylic and Fabric Paint
- Both acrylic and fabric paints are two types of paint we use for drawings.
- Moreover, both acrylic and fabric paint help in designing clothes.
- You can wash both acrylic paints and fabric paints with water when wet.
Difference Between Acrylic and Fabric Paint
Definition
Acrylic paint is basically water-based paint that is used to create drawings, while fabric paints are paints used to work with fabrics and clothes.
Textures
The texture of acrylic paint is thicker than fabric paint.
Absorbance
Although fabric paint is fabric-friendly, acrylic paint is not very fabric-friendly. Acrylic paint is suitable for canvas.
Drying Ability
Although both fabric paint and acrylic paint dry up quickly, fabric paint requires a source of heat to dry, whereas acrylic paint does not want such a source.
Quality
The fabric paint spreads more evenly on fabric, whereas acrylic paint is more striking.
Durability
Acrylic paints do not get damaged even after use for several years, whereas fabric paint may fade after use for several years.
Conclusion
The main difference between acrylic paint and fabric paint is that acrylic paint has a thick consistency, whereas fabric paint does not have a thick consistency. Therefore, acrylic paint tends to be more durable than fabric paint.
Reference:
1. “Acrylic paint.” Wikipedia. Wikipedia Foundation.
Image Courtesy:
1. “Acrylic Paint” Photo by Luis Quintero (CC0) via Pexels
2. “Curly Haired Woman Painting on Fabric” by RODNAE Productions (CC0) via Pexels
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