What is Puff Paint?

Puff paint, also known as puffy, tulip or dimensional paint, is a craft material used to add both texture and vibrancy to an item. Unlike other paints that have a two-dimensional look, this type has a raised, three-dimensional appearance. People use it for a variety of projects because of the way it adheres well to different surfaces, but it is best known for use on fabrics. Available in both manufactured and simple-to-make homemade versions, it puffs up when heat is added. It can be applied with an applicator tip, brush, the fingers or other tools such as a scraper.

People most often associate dimensional paint with wearable crafts, such as putting a design on a T-shirt. It also works for crafts like scrapbooking, handmade greeting cards and other paper craft projects, decorating wooden keepsakes or picture frames and even non-skid socks and stones. Many individuals use it for kids’ and classroom art, but it’s possible to mix the product with things like glitter or beads for a polished, professional look.

It isn’t necessary to use tulip paint just by itself. Crafters frequently combine it with other materials to get the effects they want. For example, a designer might sew ribbon or lace to a tote bag for a feminine feel, accenting it with the paint.

A non-conventional use is as a marker for people who have vision problems. People can feel it under their fingertips and determine different shapes, letters or other symbols. This gives them a little more independence than they otherwise might have.

The standard kind of puff paint is commercially made. This version is sold in small, sealable tubes or bottles. It comes in many different colors, including neon and pastel shades. Some manufacturers even make versions that glow in the dark.

Parents, kids and other people also make their own homemade recipes. The simplest ones call for a combination of shaving cream, glue and food coloring. Other recipes use ingredients like self-rising flour, salt and water. Regardless of whether it is commercial or homemade, it typically is nontoxic.

Commercial forms usually come with a special applicator tip right on the bottle. Some sets include multiple tips that can be switched out based on what a person wants to do. When someone squeezes the tube or bottle with an even pressure, the applicator’s fine point makes it possible to make lines, dots and swirls. For homemade recipes, inexpensive art brushes work fine. Some artists and kids also like to apply it with their fingers.

Spray versions of puff paint are also available. These aren’t quite as common as the tube or bottle types, but they are nice for some projects because they apply to a large surface area very fast. Manufacturers typically recommend that users apply a light coating of the spray initially, going back for additional layers after the first has set. This way, less paint gets wasted and drying time isn’t as long. The technique also lets the artist see exactly how much it has risen so she can decide whether to put on another layer.

The next application step is to let the tulip paint air dry or heat it. The drying and heating process is what makes the product rise and set firmly, but this can take several hours to finish. This is important to remember, because an artist or craftsman has to account for how much it expands and lifts as she is designing. Depending on the craft surface and the ingredients, good heating tools include irons and hair dryers. Sometimes people even use microwaves.

Some manufactured styles of puff paint are made especially for fabrics and are fully machine washable. These are usually formulated so that they won’t dissolve or crack very easily. Even these tend to wear off over time, though. The safest way to clean an item with this product is by hand. Additionally, heat will make it warp and stretch, so a finished design shouldn’t go in the dryer.

One disadvantage of this craft material is that it does not mix well. It isn’t possible, for example, to mix blue and yellow to make green. If someone wants different colors, they have to either buy them or make a separate batch in the new shade.

Premade sets of this versatile paint are available at most craft shops, or in the craft sections of department stores. Online retailers sell them, as well, which allows people to find brands, colors and container sizes they normally couldn’t get from local vendors. They are fairly inexpensive, but the best, most durable formulas cost more and can add up quickly if many different colors are needed for a project.