Can I Use Acrylic Paint on Bags?

Acrylic paint is known for its versatility and multiple uses, and people tend to use this kind of paint on various surfaces. Acrylics are great, considering they give vibrant and astonishing colors, and they are quite affordable for other types of paint. However, can you use acrylic paint on bags, and what surfaces support this type of paint? 

Since acrylic paint is characterized by versatility, you can use it freely to paint and decorate bags, very similarly to fabric paint or leather paint or leather dye. They work great on canvas, leather, faux leather, and different kinds of fabric. They are less expensive, and they provide rich colors. However, it would help if you learned to prepare the surface properly before painting. 

If you want to make stunning bags using acrylics, you have to come to the right place to learn how to do that. Since there are different kinds of bags, i.e., they are made of different materials, you need to know what is needed for each surface type. In this article, you will learn in steps how to prepare distinct surfaces for acrylics and how to properly apply them. So, Can I Use Acrylic Paint on Bags? Keep reading for more information.

Can You Use Acrylic Paint On Canvas Tote Bags? 

If you want to get creative with your tote bags, you can experiment with acrylic paint and give your tote bags some unique designs. Since tote bags are made of canvas, they are the perfect surface for acrylic paints, so you should not doubt anymore whether you can use this kind of paint or not. You can create some really distinctive designs by hand painting with acrylics.

However, you cannot simply get some acrylics out of the tube and apply them to the tote bag. You have to go through some steps to ensure that your work will result in amazing designs and last for a long time. Therefore, let’s see some of the steps required for successful painting on tote bags with acrylic paint. 

Step One – Choose The Right Materials

You cannot opt for the first materials that come to your hand, especially if you have not done this before. You need to have the proper canvas, brushes, and paints that will enable you to paint on tote bags successfully. If you are a rookie, it is better to go with the simple choices and then gradually choose some according to your liking. 

Pick The Right Tote Bag

If this is your first time, make sure that you choose a plain canvas tote bag that will help you understand the concept of applying acrylics to this kind of surface. Therefore, firstly, pick some medium-size canvas tote bag and ensure it is not wrinkled or crumpled. If you need to, lightly iron the tote bag to provide a perfectly smooth surface. 

Then pin the tote bag on a board, and make sure that all four edges are nicely spread across the board. It would help if you painted over a board to get the best results. 

Pick The Right Paint 

Since you are going to paint with acrylics, make sure that you pick some quality paint. You cannot opt for the cheapest ones since you need some long-lasting effects applied to a thing that you will carry daily. Therefore, choose something that will ensure durability. 

Pick The Right Brushes

Acrylic paint requires some thick and long brushes. Since acrylics are denser in texture, you should opt for sturdier brushes than the ones used for watercolors. If you decide between natural and synthetic, choose the synthetic ones because they work better and are more resilient to the chemicals found in acrylics. 

Pick The Right Palette And Palette Knife

Since you cannot simply use the acrylics out of the tube, you will need to mix. For that purpose, you will need a good porcelain palette along with a palette knife. A palette knife is mandatory for acrylics since they are dense, and the knife helps you spread it over the canvas. 

Other Materials

When painting with acrylics on a tote bag, you will need some additional materials, such as a cup of water. Water is needed for a little bit of dilution of the acrylic paint. Also, you might want to get some gloves and an apron to avoid making a big mess at your home. 

Step Two – Prepare Your Canvas

Firstly, you will need to stretch your tote bag well and ensure that it does not have any wrinkles or folds. You can clip the four edges for better stability. Then insert a plastic surface inside the tote bag, such as a plastic worksheet that will enable a flat surface for painting. 

Lastly, you would need to treat the fabric with a coat of gasset. The gasset enables your paint to stay on your tote bag for as long as possible. The coating needs to be applied once, and it will dry quickly. 

Step Three – Applying Paint On The Tote Bag

You can choose between two styles for applying the acrylics to the canvas tote bag – painting by numbers and freestyling. Both of the styles are suitable for the surface of the tote bags. Therefore, it is up to you to choose what works better for you. 

Painting By Numbers

If you are a rookie, it is recommended that you start with this technique. Painting by numbers means using a particular image as a reference or a stencil that will serve as a guide for your hand. 

Using a reference image, you will have to trace it with a pencil on the tote bag. The pencil you will use for tracing needs to be sharp but thin since you will need to cover the pencil marks with the paint. 

If you opt for a stencil, especially for words and letters on your bag, make sure to use paper cutouts. Just place them on the tote bag and get the wanted shapes, and later fill in the blank space with colors that you want. 

This method is interesting, and it will enable you to make amazing and sharp shapes. It is beneficial for geometric shapes since it makes the process easier and without any struggle. Once the paint is applied, you will get amazing and vibrant designs on your bag. 

Freestyling

This method is suitable for those who already have some experience with painting with acrylics. You will have the opportunity to experiment with acrylics all over your bag, and in the process, you will not need any aids, such as reference images or paper cutouts. There is no right or wrong way to do the painting in freestyle, so the choice of methods and colors would be entirely yours.

Can You Use Acrylic Paint On Leather Bags? 

People find it debatable whether acrylic paint could be applied to leather bags when it comes to leather. However, the question is yes, and you can make the paint long-lasting as long as you take the proper measures to seal it successfully. Acrylics are vibrant paints that look great on the leather. Therefore, you should not doubt anymore since the process is perfectly possible. 

However, if you do not seal the paint, you risk cracking over time and losing its quality. For this purpose, you can use an acrylic paint finisher or a sealant from a local store and get the long-lasting vibrant colors on your bag. Now, you will have the chance to see how you can do that properly, so you can achieve the result you desire. 

Step One – Clean And Dry The Leather Thoroughly 

As in every painting process, you need to make sure that the surface is well-prepared for applying paints. In this case, you need to ensure that the leather on which you plan to apply color is clean and dry. If you miss this step, you will have dust or debris inside the paint, resulting in cracks. 

Step Two – Apply Acrylics Over The Surface

Acrylic paint will perfectly stick to the leather surface. To create some designs on the bag, you can use paper cutouts or markers to draw the shapes you desire. Make sure to make some mixture, and dilute the acrylics a little bit before applying them to the leather surface. Remember that acrylic paint is dense, so that a slight dilution would make a big difference. 

Step Three – Seal The Paint In Bursts

As mentioned before, you can use a sealant or an acrylic paint finisher to seal the paint. Usually, the finishers are applied in the same way you applied the acrylics over the surface. If you use a spray, it might be more difficult for the application. 

If you opt for an acrylic finisher, ensure that you mix an ounce with one part of water. Make the coating light in order not to mess up the paint and the leather. Wait around five minutes before applying the next coat. 

If you opt for a spray, you can spray it evenly all over the paint; however, make sure that the spray finisher is proper for leather surfaces. You can find a spray finisher in local stores, and they are usually quite affordable. 

Step Four – Finish With A Waterproof Spray 

This is not a mandatory step, but it is quite a convenient one. The paint would stick more on the leather surface if you use this kind of spray, so make sure that you use it if you have this option. This will provide protection, moisture resistance, and durability for acrylic paint. 

These sprays are found in local stores, and you do not have to search for a particular type since each will work just fine. They all come with instructions, so make sure that you follow them carefully, and you will get the result you desire. After applying the spray, allow for it to dry thoroughly, or at least 24 hours. 

Is Acrylic Paint Good For Leather Surfaces? 

If you are worried about applying acrylics on a leather surface, you should relax because they will not ruin the surface in any way. You might think that only leather paints could be applied to leather surfaces. However, that is a misinterpreted opinion. As a matter of fact, most of the leather paints are based on acrylics. Therefore, you have no reason to worry about it. 

Nonetheless, you need to make sure that you follow the steps for applying correctly because only then the acrylic paint would be able to stick on the leather surface. Also, it would help if you did not forget to seal it to protect it from cracking. 

What Are The Best Seal Finishers For Acrylic Paint On Leather? 

Angelus Acrylic Leather Finisher is one of the best options you have on the market. If you strive for smooth finishes on your bag, then this is the finisher you need. You can be sure that this finisher will not crack after drying since it is water-based. 

Last update on 2024-12-27 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

You can use this product on any leather surface, and the best of all is that it comes at a really affordable price. Lastly, it is easy to be cleaned with only soap and water, so you will not need some additional tools for the cleaning process. 

Leather Max is another great option for sealing paint on leather successfully. This product provides a satin finish, and it is straightforward to apply on a leather surface. It dries easily and clearly, so if you are using some old leather bag, it will really bring out a new spark to it.  

Last update on 2024-12-27 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Final Words

To conclude, you can freely apply acrylic paint on leather and canvas bags and other fabrics similar to canvas. If you follow the proper steps, you will get some amazing and colorful designs on your bags with long-lasting effects. 

Sources

• How to Paint on Canvas Tote Bags
• Acrylic Paint on Leather: How To Paint and Seal Leather
• Cowling & Wilcox: Painting on Leather with Acrylic Paints