How to Paint on Fabric Sports Jerseys like Jade Cresswell Using Angelu

Introduction

If you're looking to level up your sports jersey game, custom painting is the ultimate way to show your team spirit and personal style. In this blog, we’re spotlighting the vibrant work of artist Jade Cresswell, who brings her jerseys to life using Angelus Leather Paints—a top choice for customizers around the world. Whether you're customizing a football jersey, a basketball tank, or a soccer top, we'll walk you through how to get bold, long-lasting results on stretchy fabric. Follow our step-by-step guide and discover the exact products Jade uses to make her art stand out.

Creator Spotlight

Jade Cresswell | Jaded Creative

Hello! I’m Jade of Jaded Creative, an artist from a small village in Durham in the North East of England. I specialise in painting mainly bags, shoes and denim jackets however I’ve had requests to paint anything from the likes of baseball jerseys to jewellery boxes. I’ve always had a love of art and working in the beauty industry for 10 years doing a lot of nail art (which I still credit for being able to paint designs and portraits so small). I started to look for another way to satisfy my love of painting characters and pop culture that was still slightly unconventional but gave a lot more opportunity to broaden my ideas and that had a bit more longevity, and that’s when I discovered Angelus!

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Creator Spotlight

4-Step Guide: How to Paint on Fabric Sports Jerseys with Angelus Paints

Step 1: Prep the Fabric Surface

Before painting, clean your jersey with a lint roller and make sure it's completely dry and flat. Since jerseys are typically made of polyester or a poly-blend, surface prep is key to ensuring proper paint adhesion.

Pro Tip: Place a piece of cardboard or a cutting mat inside the jersey to keep the paint from bleeding through.

Make sure the jersey's fabric is clean and dry before you begin.

Pro Tip: Place a piece of cardboard or a cutting mat inside the jersey to keep the paint from bleeding through.

Make sure the jersey's fabric is clean and dry before you begin.

Step 2: Apply a Fabric Medium to Your Paint for Flexibility

To keep the paint flexible and prevent cracking, mix your favorite Angelus Leather Paint color with Angelus 2-Soft Fabric Medium at a 1:1 ratio. This combination allows the paint to bond with the fabric without becoming stiff.

Mix Angelus 2-Soft Fabric Medium with Angelus Acrylic Leather Paint in a 1:1 ratio.

Step 3: Apply Paint in Light Layers

Using a paint brush or airbrush, apply thin, even layers of paint onto the fabric. Allow each layer to dry fully before applying the next one. Avoid heavy coats to reduce buildup and maintain the jersey’s natural movement.

For best results, let each coat dry for at least 15 minutes. Use a heat gun or hairdryer on a low setting to speed up the drying process.

Step 4: Heat Set Your Design for Durability

To lock in the flexibility and prevent cracking or peeling, you’ll need to heat set the paint.

What you need:

Heat gun or household dryer (on high heat)

Instructions: After your final layer dries, use a heat gun or dryer to heat set the painted area for about 2–3 minutes. Keep the heat moving and avoid holding it too close.

Creator Questions

I'm based in Durham, UK.

A lot of the requests and designs I would paint for my nails were Disney themed and while scrolling through Instagram looking for inspiration one day I came across an artist who had painted some shoes and I was instantly enthralled with the idea! I started to paint a couple of pairs for myself and my husband and it all started from there.

The main materials that I paint on are leather such as bags and watch straps and also canvas, I’ve painted an array of different items over the years including baseball and football jerseys, leather card holders, jewellery boxes and most recently golf club head covers!

My top 5 and main products I use day to day are Angelus Leather Preparer & Deglazer to prep my leather items, 2-Soft Fabric Medium to prepare my paint for any fabric that I paint on along with white which I mix in a 50/50 ratio. White is the main colour I use for any bases that I paint ready to sketch out my design on top so I always make sure to have a pint sized paint bottle as I go through this so quickly. Another of my must haves for painting my designs is Angelus’ Micro Detail Brush Sets, these are so soft and with their different tapered shape tips make things so much easier to blend especially painting such small portraits and designs as I usually do.

If you’re someone just starting out or thinking of pursuing art full time it can be a really daunting thought and such a big life change. I always remember early on someone saying to me, “It’s called a LEAP of faith for a reason” and this has always stuck with me. It really amazes me looking back over the past 5 years and seeing different achievements, we all have to start somewhere.

🛒 Jade's Top 5 Angelus Products

Leather Preparer and Deglazer

$5.95

$3.67

2-Soft Fabric Medium

$3.95

Angelus White Paint

$3.95

All Purpose Applicator

$5.95

$5.95

Angelus Micro Detail Paint Brush Set

$16.95

$24.75

Unlock More Inspiration

Dive deeper into our Creator Spotlight series and discover new tutorials from top artists in the community. Whether you're looking to master advanced techniques or spark fresh ideas, these step-by-step guides will take your custom game to the next level.

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How to Paint on Fabric Sports Jerseys like Jade Cresswell Using Angelus Paints

Creator Questions