Fabric Painting Online Fabric Painting 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Before painting a cotton T-shirt at home, what preparation step gives the best paint adhesion?
- Prewash it without fabric softener to remove sizing (Correct answer)
- Soak it in fabric softener overnight
- Iron it with a lot of starch
- Dampen it with cooking oil
Correct answer: Prewash it without fabric softener to remove sizing
Prewashing without softener removes manufacturing sizing so paint bonds directly to the fibers.
Question 2: What is placed inside a shirt while painting to stop the color from bleeding to the back?
- A piece of cardboard or a plastic board (Correct answer)
- A wet sponge
- Another cotton shirt
- A sheet of tissue paper
Correct answer: A piece of cardboard or a plastic board
A rigid cardboard or plastic barrier blocks paint from soaking through to the reverse side.
Question 3: Which paint type is most commonly recommended for beginners painting on cotton?
- Acrylic-based fabric paint (Correct answer)
- Oil-based enamel
- Watercolor paint
- Spray automotive paint
Correct answer: Acrylic-based fabric paint
Acrylic fabric paint is water-based, easy to use, and formulated to flex with cloth.
Question 4: How is most fabric paint permanently set so it survives washing?
- Heat-set with an iron once fully dry (Correct answer)
- Freeze the fabric overnight
- Rinse it in cold water immediately
- Leave it in direct sunlight for an hour
Correct answer: Heat-set with an iron once fully dry
Applying dry heat with an iron cures the paint and makes it wash-fast.
Question 5: What tool creates crisp, repeatable shapes when painting fabric?
- A stencil (Correct answer)
- A rolling pin
- A hair dryer
- A rubber band
Correct answer: A stencil
Stencils mask off areas so paint only fills the intended shape.
Question 6: Why should fabric paint be applied in thin layers rather than one thick coat?
- Thick coats crack and stiffen after drying (Correct answer)
- Thin coats waste more paint
- Thick coats dry faster
- Thin coats never need heat setting
Correct answer: Thick coats crack and stiffen after drying
A single heavy coat dries stiff and is prone to cracking, while thin layers stay flexible.
Question 7: After heat-setting a painted garment, how long should you typically wait before washing it?
- At least 24 to 72 hours (Correct answer)
- Immediately after ironing
- Exactly one week to the minute
- You never wash painted fabric
Correct answer: At least 24 to 72 hours
Waiting a day or more lets the paint fully cure and bond before laundering.
Before painting a cotton T-shirt at home, what preparation step gives the best paint adhesion?