To paint canvas shoes, take out the laces, stuff the shoes, tape off the rubber, and brush on thin coats of Angelus Paint. It works on canvas straight from the bottle and flexes with the shoe as you walk. Angelus 2-Soft Fabric Medium is optional. Mix it in and heat-set it when you want the paint to feel softer, more like the canvas itself.
We've made shoe paint in Los Angeles since 1907, and canvas sneakers are where a lot of customizers start. The same method works on canvas totes too, as our canvas bag guide shows.
Start here: what are you going for?
Quick answer: painting canvas shoes
- Remove the laces and stuff the shoes with paper.
- Tape off the rubber toe cap, foxing, and soles.
- Use Angelus Paint as is, or mix in 2-Soft for a softer feel.
- Brush on thin coats, letting each one dry.
- Cure overnight, and heat-set it if you used 2-Soft.
Do you need 2-Soft?
Angelus Paint works on its own. 2-Soft makes it feel softer.
You can paint canvas shoes with straight Angelus Paint and get a great result. The paint is flexible, so it bends at the toe crease when you walk. The only difference is how it feels. Without 2-Soft, the painted canvas has a slightly rubbery texture, a lot like the print on a screen-printed T-shirt. Mix in 2-Soft and heat-set it, and the paint feels softer and sinks into the weave, which also makes the shoes easier to clean.
Angelus Paint on its own
Bright, durable color with a light rubbery feel, like a screen print. Perfect for most canvas customs.
Angelus Paint with 2-Soft
A softer finish that feels more like the canvas. Heat-set, it holds up better when you clean the shoes.
The paint behind this guide
Angelus Paint
Flexible acrylic paint in hundreds of colors that all mix with each other. It works on canvas straight from the bottle, and it flexes with the shoe as you walk.
4.9 stars from 13,900+ reviews
Shop paint colors
For a softer finish
Angelus 2-Soft Fabric Medium
An optional add-in for Angelus Paint. It gives painted canvas a softer, more fabric-like feel, and once it's heat-set, the design holds up better when you clean the shoes.
4.9 stars from 520+ reviews · From $3.95
Shop 2-SoftShop this guide
Real reviews from Angelus customers
4.9 stars from 13,900+ reviews of Angelus Paint and 520+ of 2-Soft
★★★★★
"The midnight green is perfect! Works very well on leather and canvas too."
Mike P. · Verified buyer · Angelus Paint
★★★★★
"Paint is so smooth and stayed on shoes very nicely with no cracks. loved it."
Celia M. · Verified buyer · Angelus Paint
★★★★★
"I love using the 2 soft. It allows the paint to show and keeps my fabric soft"
Melisa B. · Verified buyer · 2-Soft
How to paint canvas shoes, step by step
Clean the canvas and let it dry
Take out the laces and wipe the canvas with Easy Cleaner and a damp cloth. Let the shoes dry completely, since paint grips clean, dry fibers best.
Stuff the shoes and tape off the rubber
Stuff each shoe tightly with paper so the canvas is firm, like a stretched canvas for painting. Then tape off the rubber toe cap, foxing stripe, and sole with masking tape. Paint won't last on rubber you walk on, so keep it on the canvas. Our shoe soles guide explains why.
Pick your paint, and add 2-Soft if you like
Angelus Paint goes straight onto canvas. For a softer finish, mix in 2-Soft Fabric Medium following the ratio on the label. On dark canvas, lay down a coat of Angelus White first so your colors stay bright.
Brush on thin coats
Brush the paint into the weave in thin, even coats, and let each one dry before the next. Thin coats sink in and bend with the toe crease, while thick ones sit on top and feel heavy. Most colors look solid after two or three coats.
Add the details
Once the base colors dry, switch to a fine brush for outlines, highlights, and small shapes. Keep the paint thin, and clean your brushes between colors.
Cure before you wear them
Let the shoes dry overnight before you lace them up and walk in them. If you mixed in 2-Soft, heat-set the painted canvas as the 2-Soft label directs. That softens the paint and helps it hold up when you clean the shoes.
You can stop here
That's a finished pair. To keep them looking good, spot clean the canvas with Easy Cleaner and a soft brush.
Going further: detailed designs
For characters and detailed art, sketch your design lightly in pencil first. Outline it in black with a fine brush, then fill each shape with thin coats. The sketch keeps your proportions right, and the outline gives the fill a clean edge to work up to.
The same method works on canvas bags
Canvas is canvas, whether it's on a sneaker or a tote. Same Angelus Paint, same optional 2-Soft, same thin coats. A bag is just flatter and easier to work on. See how to paint a canvas bag.
When to use something else
| If you have | What we'd use |
|---|---|
| Rubber soles or toe caps you want to color | Paint won't last on rubber you walk on. Dye soles with Sole Bright mixed with Angelus Leather Dye. See the shoe soles guide. |
| Leather sneakers | Leather needs Deglazer prep first. See how to paint leather shoes. |
| Suede or nubuck | Use Angelus suede dye instead of paint. See our suede guide. |
| Mesh panels | See how to paint mesh. |
Mistakes that ruin painted canvas shoes
- Painting the rubber toe cap and sole of shoes you wear. Rubber wears away like a tire, and the paint goes with it. Tape it off.
- Expecting a T-shirt-soft feel without 2-Soft. Straight paint has a light rubbery texture like a screen print. Add 2-Soft and heat-set it if you want it softer.
- Painting unstuffed shoes. The canvas wrinkles under the brush and paint pools in the creases.
- Heavy coats. They sit on top of the canvas, feel stiff at the toe crease, and can crack.
- Wearing them before they cure. Walking on half-dry paint creases it.
Related guides: Paint canvas bags · Painting shoe soles · Paint leather shoes · Mix paint colors
Painting canvas shoes FAQ
What is the best paint for canvas shoes?
We'd use Angelus Paint. It comes in hundreds of mixable colors and stays flexible on canvas. Add 2-Soft Fabric Medium if you want a softer feel.
How do you paint canvas shoes?
Clean the canvas, stuff the shoes, tape off the rubber, and brush on thin coats of Angelus Paint. Let it cure overnight before wearing.
Do I need fabric medium to paint canvas shoes?
No. Angelus Paint works on canvas on its own and dries with a light rubbery feel, like a screen print. 2-Soft is optional, and it makes the paint softer after heat-setting.
Will the paint crack on canvas shoes?
Not with thin coats. Angelus Paint is flexible and bends with the toe crease. Thick coats are what crack.
Can you paint the rubber on canvas shoes?
Only on display pairs. Rubber wears away as you walk, so paint scuffs off. For soles you wear, use Sole Bright mixed with Angelus Leather Dye.
Can you wash painted canvas shoes?
Spot clean them with Easy Cleaner and a soft brush. Heat-set 2-Soft designs hold up best to cleaning.
