Drawing On Clothes With Sharpie

Setting Permanent Marker on Clothes

Tip: Use Sharpie to Decorate Fabric

February 13, 2011

Autographed Jersey Do you have a child or teen's birthday coming up? How about a church youth group? Here is something we did that youth of all ages enjoy. We bought a package of colored Sharpies. They come in a set of 24 and might be a wee bit on the expensive side, but are worth it for the different shades of colors you get.

Have the young ones, and young at heart bring a t-shirt, pair of jeans, or anything else they have permission to decorate. Place a stiff piece of cardboard in between the front and back sides of the clothing. Lay out the markers on the table and let them go to it.

I have found that after they air for about an hour it helps to heat set the clothing in the dryer for about 10 to 20 minutes. Airing helps get rid of the lingering odor from the Sharpies.

By McCollonough from Nashville, TN

11 Questions

Ask a QuestionHere are the questions asked by community members. Read on to see the answers provided by the ThriftyFun community or ask a new question.

Question: How to SET Permanent Sharpie Pen Ink into Clothes?

How do you SET Sharpie Ink into clothes (primarily cotton or cotton blend t-shirts and also dennim pants/jeans).

I work at a Scout camp and at the end of each week all the staff and kids sign each other's camp shirts (or Jeans - mom's GOTTA love that! LOL). Anyway, last year, my daughter wore her t-shirt a lot and all the sharpie "permenant" ink came out in the wash - isolated case of NOT wanting it to come out, but I can't find anywhere to tell me how to make sure it DOESN'T come out!

Thanks,
Scouter James

Answers

By Heidi (Guest Post)

August 27, 2005 1 found this helpful

Best Answer

I would iron it (as someone else suggested) and then soak it in cold strong saltwater (just as you do when dying a garment). Afterwards wash in cold water only.

Reply Was this helpful? 1

By trykbos (Guest Post)

June 16, 2008 0 found this helpful

Best Answer

Someone told me to put it in the dryer first.

Answer this Question

Question: Setting Gel Pen Ink on a Denim Jacket?

February 5, 2020

I have a jean jacket that I'm drawing on in gel pen. I wanted to know if there was any way for me to get the ink to set into the jacket so that I could wash it without smearing the ink.

Answers

Ana
Bronze Post Medal for All Time! 140 Posts

February 5, 2020 0 found this helpful

Best Answer

Only fabric ink will hold its color. There are fabric pens you can purchase. Gel ink will not last and will fade out when washed. Maybe you can try a fabric sealer.

This puts a coating over your design for longer lasting. This piece would have to be on gentle or hand wash!

Pghgirl40
Bronze Feedback Medal for All Time! 196 Feedbacks

February 5, 2020 0 found this helpful

Best Answer

Not sure it works with all gel pens. There are some you can set by ironing them. Take a piece of parchment paper, cover the design and gently press the fabric on a high heat for about 30 seconds. I would only hand wash, inside out after. It may still come out if it was a generic type gel pens. This technique works for fabric specific gels.

poehere
Bronze Post Medal for All Time! 105 Posts

February 5, 2020 0 found this helpful

Best Answer

Gel markers will look great until you need to wash the jacket. In some cases, they will start to fade after extended wear of the jacket. You are better off to buy a set of fabric markers to use if you want to decorate your demin jacket. I would suggest that you buy Craft 4 All Fabric Markers.

These work great and the yon't run or fade. This way you can wash the jacket. Another idea to use is gel fingernail polish for your project. This one works well and you can wash the jacket.

Answer this Question

Question: Protecting Permanent Marker on Outdoor Cushions?

May 25, 2020

I used permanent marker on outdoor cushions. How do I seal it?

Answers

poehere
Bronze Post Medal for All Time! 105 Posts

May 26, 2020 0 found this helpful

Best Answer

There is a material sealer called De Mite that can be sprayed on fabric in order to seal it and protect it. I know they have this on Amazon where you can buy it. But right now they are out of stock. Here is the link so hopefully you can find out when they will get some more in.

If they don't then go to your craft store or even fabric store and find a good material sealer that you can use to protect the material on your cushions. www.amazon.co.uk/.../B002UEHJVM

haydemon
Gold Answer Medal for All Time! 617 Answers

May 30, 2020 0 found this helpful

Best Answer

an acrylic spray sealant should work fine. But even the best sealant probably will not protect it from fading from UV rays, however.

Answer this Question

Question: Marker That Won't Wash Off HTV?

November 16, 2020

Anyone know what I can use on a sweater's HTV adhesive strip that won't wash off ie: permanent marker, fashion marker? I want to write across it but worry it will just come off in the washer/dryer. TIA!

A rainbow stripe on a shirt.

Answers

poehere
Bronze Post Medal for All Time! 105 Posts

November 18, 2020 0 found this helpful

Best Answer

Washing the item is the keep to feeling the transfer on and the writing on the transfer you are using. You can use the permanent marker you are thinking of using but when washing this you need to take into consideration how it is done. You should always turn the garment inside out when washing. Coldwater is the best to use when washing this garment. Using mild detergents is also recommended.

Haning this up to dry or drying it in a dryer on a low setting. Allows allowing the transfer to sit for at least 24 hours before you wash the garment. Over time all markers fade just some in the wash and that is why a lot of people will hand wash the item and hang it up to dry. Do not hang it in direct sunlight because it will fade quicker.

Answer this Question

Question: Setting Permanent Marker on Clothes?

This is the last week of school for me and I'm gonna have people sign my jeans, but if I wash them the Sharpie will come out. I need to know to get the ink to set so that it will be there for a while and not wash out after the 1st or 6th wash. I can't get out to get some special fabric ones, so help please!

By Kitty H.

Question: Preserving Permanent Marker On Clothing?

I've drawn on my pants with Permanent Marker and I LOVE the designs I did. How do I preserve it?

Serena from WPB, FL

Answers

September 11, 2006 0 found this helpful

Hand wash in cold with VERY mild soap, hang to dry.

September 12, 2006 0 found this helpful

If the designs begin to fade too much.... trace over them again w/ the permanent markers, or maybe you will enjoyu the faded look also, for a while.

September 12, 2006 0 found this helpful

If it is the design you love and not the color, draw over it with a bleach pen and you will have a white version. If you want both design and color, then I agree with previous posts, gentle washing and repeat as necessary. A sharpie marker should stay in fairly well.

TC in MO

September 16, 2006 0 found this helpful

why not go over the designs with fabric paint?

June 1, 2008 2 found this helpful

You can use a colorless, water--based, acrylic paint as a sealant for the marker designs. Just brush a thin coat over your designs and allow to dry for 24 hrs. I'd probably turn jeans inside out and apply the acrylic to the back side of the designs as well, to prevent fading from both sides. Once dry, the treated fabric will feel stiffer than the rest but, it should soften up when washed.

Reply Was this helpful? 2

Question: Cleaning a Homemade T-Shirt?

May 26, 2005

I made a homemade t-shirt with different colors of permanent Sharpie marker, and would like to know how to wash it without smearing the marker and ruining the t-shirt?

Rita

Answers

May 27, 2005 0 found this helpful

i would wash it on permenant press with Woolite

June 9, 2005 0 found this helpful

Editor's Note: Many people have complained about this comment, stating that it removes the Sharpie instead of fixing it. Use caution if trying this tip.

Before washing, place it in a dishpan or bucket with 1 part white vinegar to 5 parts water for an hour to set the colors. Rinse thoroughly in cold water, then wash by itself, on permanent press cycle, cold water.