Mont Marte fabric paints are gaining popularity among fabric artists around the world. Affordable and easy to find, are they truly worth it? After extensive testing, I’m here to share my honest thoughts. In this review, I’ll cover:
How Mont Marte fabric paints perform on light and dark fabrics
Whether they stiffen the fabric or fade after washing
Tips for achieving the best results on cotton and denim
Let’s dive in!
List of Content
Mont Marte fabric paint: First impressions
Swatches of a set of 8 paint jars
How to use Mont Marte fabric paint for Best results?
Painting a white cotton T-shirt using Mont Marte fabric paint
Does Mont Marte fabric paint stiffen the fabric?
Painting on denim with Mont Marte fabric paint
Diluting Mont Marte fabric paint for watercolor effects on clothes
Is Mont marte Fabric Paint Safe to Use?
Final thoughts. Is Mont Marte fabric Paint Worth It?
First Impressions of Mont Marte Fabric Paint
I first came across Mont Marte products while living in the UAE, where they were widely available. I had already tried their acrylic paints, disposable palettes, canvases, and paintbrush sets, so naturally, I decided to give their fabric paints a shot.
I purchased the 8-color set (20 ml jars), which includes white, black, yellow, red, light green, light blue, pink, and lilac.
Since I hadn’t heard much about this product, I approached it with curiosity and no expectations.
Smell & Texture
No strong odor, which is a big plus for those sensitive to smells.
Smooth and uniform texture right out of the jar. I stirred the paint with a brush handle for consistency before application.
Since I didn't know whether this fabric paint had good properties, I had to play safe and not risk working with it on a wearable textile.
💡 Always test a new permanent fabric paint on scrap fabric before applying it to a wearable garment to avoid 'surprises'.
Use this tip whenever you too are trying a new brand of paint and are not sure in its performance.
Testing Mont Marte Fabric Paints on Colored Fabric
I started my tests on a blue fabric to assess the paint’s opacity and pigmentation
The body of Mont Marte fabric paint looked quite smooth and uniform. I anyway stirred it with the other side of a brush for a better performance, and finally made a row of paint swatches to see how the paint feels when applied to fabric.
Testing fabric paint on a colored textile (like this blue one) gives the opportunity to understand how transparent the paint is and how much pigmented it is. Based on these answers we can then test how many layers of paint it will take to achieve the color brightness as it is in the jar, and is this paint actually capable to do so on a dark colored fabric? 😉
After these swatches became touch dry, I applied one more paint layer.
✅ By the way, if you're curious whether Mont Marte fabric paint dries on textile fast - it does not. Is it a good thing? I suppose, it's subjective to your preferences. I prefer when fabric paint allows me time to play around with it, so yes, for me the fact that it doesn't dry up too fast is a good feature.
Second layer of paint revealed the beauty of this fabric paint. Colors popped up instantly! yellow, pink and purple though, asked for a third paint coat.
You can always make a choice about the necessary number of paint layers based on the requirements of your design and color of your garment.
On their website Mont Marte fabric paints, the manufacturer says that these paints are good for use on both light and dark fabrics. Usually, such description is applicable to opaque paints.
Mont Marte Swatches & Layer Results
The first layer gave moderate opacity. After allowing it to dry, the second coat significantly enhances the vibrancy. Yellow, pink, and lilac colors required a third coat for full coverage.
Drying Time: The paint dries slowly, giving you time to blend and adjust your design. This slower drying time can be beneficial for detailed work.
✅ Result: Most colors only needed two coats to pop, even on dark fabric.👍
I'll cover my observations on softness of this paint later in the article, after you've seen a few painted designs with it.
How to use Mont Marte fabric paint for Best Results
Painting with Mont Marte fabric paints turned out to be easy and pleasant. Here are some tips for getting the best results:
Apply Multiple Layers: For vibrant colors, especially on dark fabrics, use at least two coats.
Heat Set for Permanency: Heat setting is essential to make your design permanent. Use an iron with a protective cotton sheet or parchment paper.
Wash Carefully: Avoid harsh washing conditions. Gentle washing will keep your designs vibrant for longer. Follow a proper fabric paint laundry test to ensure the longevity of your painted designs.
📝Insight: I used it right after purchasing when the paint was fresh, and made a couple of projects a year later, using the same jars. Texture of paint remained uniform, only insignificantly thickened with the time.
Now I'm going to show you some painted designs which were done using Monte Marte fabric paint and comment out some notable points.
Painting a white cotton T-shirt using Mont Marte Fabric paint
I sketched an African mask design on a white cotton T-shirt to test the paint’s performance straight from the jar.
On a white fabric this textile paint popped up with colors instantly. It's easy in application and quick to fill in the area due to its smooth paint texture.
😃Mont Marte fabric paint also is quite gentle on brushes. After leaving a used paint brush outside the water cup, after a while it was still easy to rinse it. No bristles got damaged, or glued in between.
After the design was completed I let it rest over night.
Mont Marte fabric paints [just like many other brands] must be heat set in order to maintain its permanency. I did it using an iron and a protective cotton sheet.
Heat setting is a crucial step in fabric painting process, regardless of a type of fabric you're painting on. Learn everything one needs to know from this guide.
After a laundry cycle
I tested color performance by dropping this T-shirt for a machine wash: normal cycle, cold water and later - hot air dryer.
I always suggest to be gentle with painted textile by avoiding regular washing conditions. In a free Course "Fabric Painting Foundations" students learn the best ways to care for painted clothing to be able to follow them and recommend to their customers to ensure longevity of their fabric art.
👽However, this is a paint test, and I wanted to try and do some of the things that most people think is "normal" in fabric painting: one paint coat only and use of hot dryer (after a laundry cycle).
As a result, my painting somewhat faded out after this laundry cycle, BUT only because in this paint test the painting technology was not followed!
If you don't want this to happen to your painted designs on textile, remember:
even if you're painting on a light colored fabric, best practice is to apply a 2nd layer/coat of paint as soon as the first one is dry. This will ensure that there's a right amount of paint on fabric, and that paint was properly spread and fixed.
and
spare your fabric art from rough treatment. Do not use hot dryer!
Does Mont Marte fabric paint stiffen the fabric?
After I reapplied the 2nd paint layer on my African Mask design, the thin cotton T-shirt felt absolutely pleasant to the body, and not at all stiff as I squeezed the painting in my hand.
☑️ Key Takeaway:
Color Vibrancy: Excellent on white fabric, with bright and even coverage.
Brush-Friendly: The paint didn’t damage brushes, even when left out for a while. It rinsed off easily without hardening the bristles.
Laundry Test: After heat setting, I washed the shirt on a normal cycle with cold water. The colors remained bright and intact with minimal fading.
Testing Mont Marte Fabric Paints on Denim
Let's now take a look at Mont Mart's performance on denim!
This topic is very popular in the comments on my YouTube channel, since many want to know how Mont Marte fabric paint performs on denim jackets, jeans, etc..
If you read previous section carefully, you must have noted by now that Mont Marte paints do not stiffen fabric and are quite opaque. These two characteristics are the most important to consider, whenever we're choosing textile paint for denim.
I used white color in this painting the most, since I wasn't able to test it in the previous design. 👌I liked what I saw: first paint layer, as expected, was less pigmented than the second one.
However, it took only 3 white paint coats to achieve a pure white color on a denim pocket. If I needed less intensity of white, two layers could do as well.
💡Heat set and wash denim painted with Mont Marte fabric paints in the same way as as cotton.
☑️ Results: It took three coats to achieve a solid white color on a denim pocket. Despite the layering, the fabric remained soft and flexible. This makes it one of the best fabric paints for cotton and denim projects.😍
Overall, I enjoyed using this textile paint on denim, with exception of one thing, which I'll share with you when we'll get to Pro's & Con's section...
Diluting Mont Marte fabric paints for watercolor effects on clothes
One of my favorite experiments with Mont Marte paints was creating a watercolor effect on a cotton T-shirt. Even when diluted, the colors held up well after multiple washes!
Many of you have appreciated the technique and design in general (for which I'm thankful❤) and posted a number of questions like, whether or not colors fade out or stiffen this gentle cotton shirt?
In this section I'll focus on the question related to fading out of colors.
Since we have established that Mont Marte fabric paints are opaque, they're also well pigmented. I suppose, that is the reason why even when diluted, painting remained intact after countless washes.
Please note, that with the time freehand painting does reduce in it's color intensity, considering that this painted garment is being worn and washed regularly. However, somewhat fading out of colors (over the years!) has nothing in common with actual washing away of parts of a painting.
Watch how I worked with diluted Mont Marte paints in this video-tutorial. It's an open lesson!
Is Mont Marte Fabric Paint Safe to Use?
If you’re wondering about safety—yes! Mont Marte fabric paints are non-toxic and conform to international standards. This makes them safe for adults and children to use, whether it’s for personal projects or family craft time. The paints are water-based, so you won’t have to worry about harsh chemicals, and cleanup is easy too! You can feel confident working with these paints without compromising your health.
Mont Mart fabric paint: Pros and Cons
Here’s a summary of the strengths and weaknesses of Mont Marte fabric paints.
Pro's:
High Quality: Reliable performance in tests for softness, opacity, and durability.
Smooth Application: Easy to spread, even after a year of storage.
Great Color Palette: Sets are available in 8, 12, 24, and 36 colors.
Handy Packaging: Jars are easy to close tightly, preventing paint from drying out.
Widely Available: Affordable and accessible in many countries, including on Amazon.
Reliable Brand: Mont Marte offers a wide range of art supplies beyond fabric paints.
Con's:
Limited Basic Colors: The 8-color set could use more versatile shades like medium or dark green.
Small Jar Size (20 ml): Suitable for small projects, but not ideal for large designs.
No Individual Colors Available: You can only buy sets, not single jars.
Limited Fabric Art Materials: Mont Marte doesn’t offer additional fabric art materials like outliners, which can limit your design options.
Let's draw the line.
Final Thoughts. Is Mont Marte Fabric Paint Worth It?
After extensive testing, I can confidently say that Mont Marte fabric paints are a solid choice for beginners, intermediate and even expert fabric artists. They’re affordable, reliable, and versatile, making them some of the best fabric paints for cotton and denim projects. If you’re looking for a permanent fabric paint that performs well on light and dark fabrics, this brand is worth considering.
Just remember to apply multiple coats and heat set your designs to ensure long-lasting results. Proper care will help your designs remain vibrant and durable over time😊
If you’re just starting your fabric painting journey, Mont Marte fabric paints are a great option to explore. This Mont Marte fabric paint review is based on real tests and my own experiences, so you can feel confident in giving them a try.
Where to Buy Mont Marte Fabric Paints
Mont Marte fabric paints are available on Amazon (often on sale) in several kits to suit different project needs. Here’s a quick breakdown:
8-Color Set (20 ml jars): Perfect for small projects and testing colors. This set includes basic colors like white, black, yellow, red, light green, light blue, pink, and lilac.
12-Color Set: Offers more variety for those looking to expand their color palette. Great for more detailed designs.
24-Color and 36-Color Sets: Ideal for advanced projects, these sets provide a wide range of pre-mixed colors for creative flexibility.
💡 Pro Tip: Keep an eye on seasonal sales for discounts on these kits. Plus, Amazon ensures you get authentic Mont Marte products.
*If you purchase through these affiliate links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting the blog!
Have you used Mont Marte fabric paint?
No, but I'd like to try it
No, and I have doubts
Yes, I liked these paints
Yes, but I wouldn't recommend
Leave a comment to discuss your experience with Mont Marte fabric paints or if you have any questions on the topic.
And remember, you can share your painted projects with fabric painting community on FPC Forum :)
Cheers!
Related Resources
Mastering Fabric Painting: 7 Expert Tips for Designs That Last Forever!
7 Expert Fabric Painting Tips for Perfect Designs on Clothing and Accessories
wow thanks! so glad I came across this page, I've been thinking to get this fabric paints but wasn't sure if they'll work in my project. love your site!😄