What Kind of Paint to Use on Sneakers? (2024)

Having some trouble deciding what kind of paint you should use on your sneakers? No worries — we’ve got you covered.

When most people get started on their sneaker collection they want to start customizing. When they learn what it actually takes to customize though, most people don’t know where to begin or what paints to use.

So in this article, we will go over the best paints and brands you can use to add a little bit of color to your kicks. Let’s get started…

Nova Color Acrylic Paints — Best Paint to Use on Sneakers

The best way to ensure your sneakers look their best is to use the right paint for the job. And when it comes to painting sneakers, there's no better paint than Nova Color Acrylic Paints.

Nova Color is a professional-grade line of acrylic paint manufactured in the USA, made from the finest raw materials available. The Nova Color acrylic paints are available in over 80 brilliant colors so you can choose one that matches the color of your sneakers perfectly.

What Kind of Paint to Use on Sneakers? (1)

Treat the sneakers as you would any other surface when it comes to the actual painting; you will want to apply several coats of the paint. Let the paint dry between coats, and then apply a top coat of clear acrylic sealer to keep the color shiny and protected.

Nova Color acrylic paints wash up well with soap and water if you get any on yourself while painting or handling them during your project.

You can use Nova Color acrylic paints on your sneakers to create anything from a bold, bright statement to a simple accent.

Tip: Always start painting your sneakers from the bottom and work your way up to prevent any unwanted bleeding

Why Paint Your Sneakers?

The answer is simple, it's because it looks cool and lets you express yourself artistically.

Painting your sneakers is a great way to customize them and make them look like nothing else out there. You can also modify your sneakers to fit your personality; for example, you can use a lot of vibrant colors or do something really artistic and unique.

Whatever your style is, there is a way that you can paint your sneakers to make them reflect that style.

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It’s also inexpensive to paint sneakers as you can purchase acrylic paints at any hardware store and it is surprisingly affordable. You can also shop around online at the Nova Color store if you want to find an even better deal. And if you're not planning on keeping your shoes forever, it's more than worth it!

What's even better is that painting your sneakers is super easy and something anyone can do at home! You don't need any specialized equipment or a lot of knowledge about paint.

Acrylic Paint, Spray Paint, or Fabric Paint: Which is Better?

Acrylic paint is the most versatile of all solvent-based paints and comes in a variety of different types. It's the perfect choice for any craft project you can imagine, from painting on glass and ceramic to crafting with fabric.

What Kind of Paint to Use on Sneakers? (3)

Acrylic paint has many advantages: it dries fairly quickly, will not yellow or crack over time, and is easy to clean up. But like most things, there are also a few drawbacks to acrylic paints. They can be tricky to use for beginners and some colors can take longer to dry than others.

Spray paint is the fastest way to get a surface painted and it's even easier if you're trying to cover a large area like a wall or piece of furniture. The downside of spray paint is that it dries almost instantly, so you don't have much time to make adjustments. Also, since spray paint isn't water-based, it can leave behind an oily residue on your hands and any surrounding surfaces.

What Kind of Paint to Use on Sneakers? (4)

Fabric paint is great for making crafts out of fabric like t-shirts or canvas but it's almost impossible to use on other materials like glass or ceramics. Fabric paint has the longest drying time because it's water-based so you'll have plenty of time to make adjustments and ensure your project.

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How to Use Acrylic Paints on Sneakers

Now let's quickly take a look at how you can apply acrylic paints to your sneakers…

1. Prepare your shoes

Start by cleaning off your sneakers before painting them, this is very important so that the paint adheres to the sneaker.

What Kind of Paint to Use on Sneakers? (5)

If there are any spots or dust it will ruin the paint job you are trying to create. Use a toothbrush and dish soap to clean off any dust from your sneakers.

2. Plan your design

Planning your design before you start is key. If you don't know where you're going with your design, you can end up with undesired results, unless of course, you’re going for an organic free flow look!

A good strategy can be to sketch out the design you want on paper or even a tablet before applying it to your shoes. This will allow you to see if what you have planned actually looks good in practice and if any elements need adjusting.

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Once you've got the design sorted, decide what colors you want to apply to your sneakers. The best thing to do is to choose colors that fit well with your style.

To get a feel for what colors will work, you can also play around with different color combinations in a digital graphics program or on paper first. This way you'll see how the colors will look together and get an idea of what will look good on your shoes.

3. Protect the soles and embellishments

After planning your design, you'll have to remove all the parts that could be damaged by the paint, like buttons or laces. You can also use masking tape or duct tape, to cover all of the areas that you don't want to be painted.

After that's done, it's time to start painting!

4. Apply the paint

Now, apply the Nova Color acrylic paints on your sneakers to paint them. Mix some acrylic paints with water to create the color you want.

Use a paintbrush to apply the mixture onto the shoe and make patterns according to your own design. Use a thick brush for smooth lines and a thin brush for fine lines.

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Let it dry for about 30 minutes. If you want to apply multiple colors, repeat this step for every color you want on your shoes.

5. Dry the shoes

Dry the shoes after you have painted your sneakers. To get a nice, solid finish, take the shoes outside and let them dry for at least two hours in direct sunlight. If there's no sun, use a blow-dryer or a heating lamp to speed things up.

Final Words…

To conclude, Nova Color acrylic paint is the best paint that you can use for painting your sneakers as it’s not too expensive, it comes in many different colors, and it doesn’t harm the underlying material of your shoe.

So if you’re looking for a good acrylic-based paint for doing custom designs on your sneakers, Nova Color acrylic paint is the way to go.Join the Nova Color Paint affiliate program which helps artists monetize their love of art and top-quality acrylic paint.Browse our FAQ page to find answers to all the questions related to our complete product range.

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What Kind of Paint to Use on Sneakers? (2024)
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