How to Fabric Paint a Tote Bag

FAS Paint a Tote Bag with Fastex Textile Ink

There has never been a better time to get creative and paint tote bags in the classroom.
Now that single-use plastic bags no longer in New Zealand and Australian supermarkets.

Getting Plain Bags:
You will need some plain cotton bags.  Most of the ones you can get your hands on are too thin, almost like some of them are made from thin cotton bed sheets.

FAS Paint A Bag:
FAS have a Paint Cotton Bag Set of 10 that is made on 10oz cotton and prewashed.  This is close to the thickness of a pair of jeans.  This Paint A Bag set is ideal for the classroom and these bags will take heavy use and plenty of paint.  They are made to last.​

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What paint do I use when painting fabric tote bags?
Do not use acrylic paints, this type of paint will sit on top of a surface and are prone to cracking or flaking off.  Acrylic paints are not really design for flexible moving surfaces.

​Use a Textile Ink like FAS Fastex. Fabric Ink is ideal for this type of work.  Colours are bright, permanent, non-toxic and can be layer over and over without adding to the overall thickness.  When heatset or fixed by ironing the bags the fabric and textile ink are fused together.  Making the bags dry-cleanable, completely non-fading and permanently washable.
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See Fastex info >>
See How to Heat Fix Fastex >>.

What to Paint on the Bags:
The ideas are only limited buy your imagination.  Here are some videos and photos of what can be creativity painting onto these tote canvas bags.

Here is a few ideas on how to paint a Tote Canvas Bag