How to Paint Shoes

Co-authored by Victor Adrian

Last Updated: April 22, 2024

You can use paint to revitalize a pair of old shoes or to bring an original design to life. Leather paint, spray paint, acrylic paint, and even paint markers are all possible options, depending on the type of shoe. Plan out your design on paper first allowing for the colors you will want to use. Use rubbing alcohol for cleaning but don't let your shoes get too wet. Let them dry and then wipe them again. Canvas shoes will use a different process. In each case, apply the paint evenly and let it dry. Do another coat, if needed, to get that polished look. You’ve now created a work of art for your feet.

Things You Should Know

Stick with leather paint or spray paint if your shoes are made with vinyl or leather, or use fabric paint if you have cloth shoes.
Lay some newspaper or craft paper down on your workspace and mask any parts of the shoe that you don't want to paint.
Apply the paint to your shoe with a paintbrush or sponge, or spray it on directly.
Add a layer of acrylic sealant to your shoes to protect your beautiful paint job.

Part 1

Part 1 of 3:

Choosing Paint and a Design

Download Article

1
Use leather or spray paint for leather or vinyl shoes. There are acrylic paints designed to adhere to leather products, including shoes. You can buy them at your local craft store or at Amazon, like these acrylic paints . These paints go on with a brush for a smooth and lasting finish. Your other option is to use spray paint purchased from a hardware store or online here . Choose a spray can with the smallest nozzle possible to minimize over-spraying. ^{[1]
X
Research source}
- While spray painting your shoes is easy, it won’t allow you to get very detailed. Spraying works best when you are painting your entire shoes a single color. Remember to remove the shoe strings before you paint.
2
Use fabric paint for cloth shoes. This is a type of acrylic paint made specifically for fabric painting. It is applied with a brush and is quite durable. It also comes in a wide variety of colors, even with glitter options. Another plus is that it usually doesn’t crack after drying. ^{[2]
X
Research source}
- You can also use fabric paint for leather or vinyl shoes. However, you have to extensively sand the surface of the shoe down almost to its fabric base or the paint will not adhere.
Advertisement
You can buy paint markers at most art supply or craft stores, or online marketplaces like Amazon here . They come with a variety of tip sizes from super thick to ultra skinny. It’s usually a good idea to get a number of markers in the same colors, so that you can experiment. You’ll also want to test out the paint itself, as some are thicker in consistency. ^{[3]
X
Research source}
If you plan to paint your shoes a single shade, then it’s as simple as choosing the color. If you are going to do a more elaborate pen drawing or painting, then go ahead and sketch out your ideas on paper in advance. You can also create a 3-D design with a computer program, such as Photoshop. ^{[4]
X
Research source}
5
A fun way to make a tie-dye looking canvas shoe is to use permanent markers and rubbing alcohol . Draw on your design with the markers and use a cotton swab to dab at the colors. It will give them a softer look.
- Make sure to consider how your design will look from all angles, including the back and from an above view.
- If you are just starting out, try to avoid any designs that involve layering multiple colors or really intricate images. Instead, go with designs that feature large blocks of color, geometric images, or simple swirl patterns.

Part 2

Part 2 of 3:

Preparing the Shoes

Download Article

1
Outline your design in pencil on the shoe’s surface. If you keep your marks relatively light, then they won’t be noticeable even under the lightest of paint. Some people prefer to go over their pencil outline with a fine brush or fine tip marker as well. ^{[5]
X
Research source}
- Before you finalize your drawing with marker, make sure that the design is symmetrical, if that is what you are going for. Check that the toes, heels, and sides are mirror images.
2
Cover your workspace with paper. Before you start painting, find a flat, steady table and cover it entirely with craft paper or newspaper. This will keep you from ruining your work surface in the event that you have a few paint drips or spills.
- You can also cut open brown paper grocery bags and secure them around the top and edges of the table.
- Be careful using newspaper if you are working with white or light fabric shoes. The newsprint can leave black smudges on the fabric.
This isn’t always an option, but if you have a cheap pair of shoes lying around then practice your technique on them. This gives you a chance to see if the paint is the right texture and color for what you want. You can even buy a pair of thrift store shoes to use as your practice pair.
4
Clean the surface of the shoes. For natural leather shoes, soak a cotton ball in rubbing alcohol and gently rub this over the surface of the shoes. For manmade leather shoes, soak a cotton ball in acetone and wipe the shoes down. If you are painting cloth shoes that are a bit dirty, wipe them down with a rag soaked in warm water and soap. This should remove any debris from the surface of the shoe and help the paint to adhere. ^{[6]
X
Research source}
- Let your shoes thoroughly dry after cleaning before attempting to paint.
- Make sure that you use 100% acetone for cleaning like this one , not a mixed nail polish remover.
5
Sand away the finish if your shoes are shiny leather. Patent leather shoes are known for their shiny appearance, but it’s difficult for paint to stick to this surface. Get a fine grade sandpaper and rub over the surface of the shoe, moving in small circles. Continue until the shoe takes on a dull appearance. You can find sandpaper at a hardware store or online .
- Look over your shoes and make sure that your sanding is even from all angles. Otherwise, you may get an uneven appearance after painting.
6
Cover the inside and sole with tape. Apply thin strips of painters’ tape to all of the shoe’s surfaces that you don’t want to paint. This means you’ll need to go around the soles of the shoes as well. Some people also stuff newspaper into the inside of the shoes to help them keep their shape while wet.
- Painters tape will make sure the paint doesn't get anywhere it's not wanted. You can find it in hardware stores or online .

Part 3

Part 3 of 3:

Applying the Paint

Download Article

1
Apply fabric or leather paint with even, short brush strokes. If you are using acrylic paints, dip your brush into the paint and then put the paint on the shoes using short strokes. Keep refilling your brush until you’ve fully coated the area and no longer see any of the shoe’s original surface. ^{[7]
X
Research source}
- A #6 or #8 brush is flatter and good for painting the edges areas. A #0 or #1 round brush has a fine shape that works well for details. A #1 or #2 fan brush can spread paint over the flat sides of a shoe quickly. You can find variety packs of paintbrushes on Amazon here .
2
Apply fabric or leather paint with a sponge for a partially covered look. Get a small bath or scrub sponge. Pour your paint into a small bowl. Dip the edge of the sponge into the bowl. Then, dab the extra paint off on a nearby piece of paper. After that you can start to quickly press the painted sponge against the shoe until it is painted.
- This is a great approach if you’d like to layer colors or even have the original color of the shoes partially show through.
Hold your spray can nozzle about 4-6” away from the shoes. Press firmly against the nozzle trigger to apply an even coating of paint across the entire shoe. Make sure that you cover all areas.
Get a plastic cup and pour 1/2 cup (4 ounces) of Mod Podge into it. Add a small container of glitter and stir it together. Use a paint brush to apply the glitter mixture on top of your current shoe’s fabric. You can also use this over newly painted shoes, but they’ll need to be fully dry first.
5
Let the shoes dry. Leave the shoes on the paper-covered table for at least 1 hour or until they are fully dry. Then, you can apply a second coat of paint, if needed. You’ll also want to wait 2-3 days to wear them. This allows your shoes to dry on both the outside and inside (if any paint seeped through).
- To keep your brushes and sponges from drying out in between coats, place them in some plastic wrap.
Grab the ends of each piece of tape and apply gentle pressure until it pulls away from the shoe. Continue until you’ve removed all of the pieces. If you see any small pieces remaining, use metal tweezers to carefully remove them.
Apply a spray on acrylic sealer and avoid washing your shoes. If you are worried about your design getting damaged by water, you can spray your finished shoes with an acrylic sealer spray (for cloth shoes) or even a clear matte spray paint (for leather shoes). This will protect your shoes from exposure to the rain, but it is still not a good idea to wash your shoes in a machine. If they get dirty, simply dab at the spot with a warm wash cloth.

Expert Q&A

Search

Add New Question

Question

How do you get dried paint out of shoes?

Victor Adrian
Footwear Expert
Victor Adrian is a Footwear Expert based in London, UK. He is a Researcher, Tester, and Editor for BestForMyFeet.com, a leading footwear and footcare blog that discusses the importance of wearing the right footwear for the right occasion. Adrian is well-versed in determining which type of footwear is ideal for a variety of work and casual environments thanks to his vast working experience in different types of industries. He teams up with footwear professionals to test products and create comprehensive product reviews and comparisons that help readers choose the ideal footwear for their needs. Additionally, he collaborates with US board-certified podiatrists and foot doctors in order to make sure the information his team provides is always accurate. Adrian studied Biochemistry at the I.E.S. Calderon de la Barca Institute.

Victor Adrian

Footwear Expert

Expert Answer

It depends on what type of paint you have on the shoes. If it's water based, all you need to do is moisturize it using a cotton ball and warm water. Leave it for a few minutes and then scrape off using the dull side of a butter knife. If the paint is oil based, it’s a bit more tricky since you need to a thinner in order to make the paint softer to the point where you can start scraping it off the shoes.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 0 Helpful 1
Question

Is there a kind of paint for shoes that will wash off?

Community Answer

On vinyl or leather shoes, acrylic paint will probably wash off with water. This also can work for canvas shoes; they'll just need a thorough soaking.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 14 Helpful 24
Question

What paint should I use on canvas shoes?

Community Answer

Use fabric paints or sharpies, this way the paint will last better outdoors.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 13 Helpful 32

See more answers

Ask a Question

200 characters left

Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.

Submit

Video

Read Video Transcript

Tips

If you want to speed up the drying process, you can also place the shoes in front of a fan. Or, use a hair dryer to blow warm air on them for 5-10 minutes. ^{[8]
X
Research source}

Thanks
Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0

Submit a Tip

All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published

Name

Please provide your name and last initial

Submit

Thanks for submitting a tip for review!

Warnings

Only spray paint in a well-ventilated room. If the paint fumes start to get to you, open the window.

Thanks
Helpful 3 Not Helpful 0

Acetone should be used with good ventilation or with a mask. Be sure it is labeled so as not to confuse it with other clear liquids.

Things You’ll Need

Shoes
Acrylic paints
Fabric paints
Spray paint
Paint markers
Paper
Pencil
Paint brushes
Sponges
Glitter
Craft paper or newspaper
Rubbing alcohol
Acetone
Warm water
Soap
Painters’ tape
Mod Podge
Acrylic sealer spray

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]

[5]

[6]

[7]

[8]

Log in

How to Paint Shoes

Things You Should Know

Steps

Choosing Paint and a Design

Preparing the Shoes

Applying the Paint

Expert Q&A

Video

Tips

Warnings

Things You’ll Need

You Might Also Like

Expert Interview

References

About This Article

Reader Success Stories

Did this article help you?

Quizzes

You Might Also Like

Featured Articles

Trending Articles

Featured Articles

Featured Articles

Watch Articles

Trending Articles

Quizzes

Explore Categories