When we talk about art projects, the first and common material that comes to mind is cardboard. Not only is it affordable, but you can only also make a wide range of items starting from lamps to wall decors.
To make your art project successful, you will have to paint the cardboard properly to give it a nice and artsy look. Painting cardboard can be a challenge if you do not have the right paint with you and can end up ruining the entire project.
Are you looking for paint that will complete your art project and make it look beautiful? But, how can you choose the best cardboard paint when there are thousands of options to pick from? Well, we have researched the market and handpicked some of our favorite cardboard paints for you.
In this guide, we will discuss some of the best paint for cardboard and other factors associated with it.
Comparison Chart For Top 5 Paint For Cardboard
Image | Name | Paint Type | Finish Type | Price |
  | Crafts 4 All Acrylic Paint Set 60 Colors | Acrylic | Satin | |
  | Apple Barrel Promoabi Acrylic Paint Set | Acrylic | Matte | |
  | Apple Barrel Acrylic Paint In Assorted Colors | Acrylic | Matte | |
  | Caliart Acrylic Paint Set | Acrylic | Matte | |
  | Krylon Colormaxx Spray Paint And Primer | Spray | Multiple |
Best Paint For Cardboard Reviews
1. Crafts 4 All Acrylic Paint Set 60 Colors
If you are ever worried about which is the best paint for cardboard boxes, you can blindly go for the Crafts 4 All Acrylic Paint Set. Not only are these colors perfect for professionals, but are also a great choice for beginner painters.
These colors are manufactured with the finest materials and the extraordinary formulation allows you to handle the colors with ease. The consistency of the paint helps you to bring out the details in your painting and provides a bold and even finish.
Blending colors on canvas, wood, cardboard, plastic, vinyl or any surface has never been easier and the non-toxic formula makes it safe for use. In addition to that, the proper mixing of the materials saves you from the hassle of preparing the surface or the colors before painting.
The bright colors do not only make your artworks look better, but they also dry quickly, allowing you get your work done faster without affecting the quality. This product is available in set of 12, 24, and 60 colors in 12 ml tubes and also in an extra large set of 12 colors in 75 ml tubes. Each set also includes three high quality paintbrushes and the colors ensure a smooth satin finish.
Price of this beautiful set is highly reasonable given the quality, amount, consistency, and so on. However, the only downside of these colors is that the lids break off easily causing the paint inside the tube to dry.
Product Specialty:
Premium quality materials and topnotch formulation works on all surfaces and dry within a few minutes. Good quality coverage and consistency allows the colors to blend easily and significantly pops up the details. No surface preparation is required which saves time as well as money.
Pros:
- Dries quickly
- Very easy to blend
- Works on all surfaces
- Ensures a smooth satin finish
Cons:
- Tube lid breaks easily
2. Apple Barrel Promoabi Acrylic Paint Set
You can successfully say that your search for the best type of paint for cardboard has come to an end with the Apple Barrel Promoabi Acrylic Paint Set available right now.
Each set includes 18 top quality acrylic colors in beautiful shades that offer an outstanding coverage along with an excellent matte finish. Not only are these paints extremely easy to blend, but they work amazingly on almost each and every surface.
With this set, you can easily paint your cardboard or any art project with these and make the details pop up beautifully. The drying time is very fast and the paint stays intact for a long time without any sort of cracking or peeling.
There is no specific brush type when it comes to using these colors, you have the freedom of choosing any brush or painting method you want, including sponge, stencils, and so on.
All the colors are uniquely named and can be removed without making a mess in case you make a mistake while painting. You can simply wipe the wet paint away with a small amount of soap and water.
One of the leading features of this paint set is that the colors are non-toxic and safe for use by people of all ages. The price is highly reasonable, but the only problem is that the name of the colors often causes a confusion among painters.
Product Specialty:
Durable and high quality materials along with a great formulation makes sure that the paint lasts for a long time without any peeling or cracking on all surfaces. The beautiful matte finish significantly helps to improve the detailing of the paintings and features in 18 beautiful colors.
Pros:
- Reasonable price
- Non-toxic formulation
- Long-lasting and dries quickly
- Easy to clean and remove
Cons:
- Unique names cause confusion
3. Apple Barrel Acrylic Paint In Assorted Colors
In case you are looking for the right acrylic paint for cardboard, the Apple Barrel Acrylic Paint In Assorted Colors is another great product offered by the brand.
It is a water based acrylic color that comes with a topnotch formulation, allowing you to experience an excellent art experience. Even though the paint has been specifically manufactured for use on wooden surfaces only, it works amazingly on cardboard and quite a few other surfaces as well.
Available in over 100 bold, bright colors, the non-toxic formulation of this paint makes it suitable for everyone and completely safe for use. It comes in a 16 Fl oz bottle with ensures a decent coverage and the paint dries quickly with a beautiful matte finish.
You do not have to worry about mistakes or mess while painting and you can easily clean or remove the paint. All you need is a small amount of soap and water or a wet cloth or napkin to clean up the paint.
This high quality paint lasts for a long time and helps you to make the most intricate designs with ease. The price is highly reasonable but the only downside is that the paint is a bit thin compared to other acrylic paints.
Product Specialty:
Large 16 Fl oz bottle lasts for quite a long time and the paint ensures a matte finish that does not peel or crack. Cleaning paint has never been this easy and there are several outstanding colors available for you to choose from.
Pros:
- Easy to clean
- Durable and dries quickly
- Non-toxic formulation
- Affordable price
Cons:
- Thin paint compared to other acrylics
4. Caliart Acrylic Paint Set
The Caliart Acrylic Paint Set is one of the best paint for cardboard letters and is a top choice among professional and beginner painters.
With 24 bright colors in a set, it is a water based acrylic paint that allows you to paint and bring out the fine details in your work. It is suitable for various surfaces, including cardboard, and the great pigmentation and consistency makes sure that you can cover a large area with one bottle.
Non-toxic formulation makes it safe for use and the paint is easy to use and blends easily. In addition to that, it dries quickly within a few minutes, allowing you to add coatings and layer to your project.
You can simply clean the paint up with the help of soap and water in case there is a mistake or mess. It is a unique gift idea for people of all ages and is suitable for both DIYers and professional painters.
This paint set ensures a smooth matte finish and can be used for exterior and interior projects, lasting for a long time without any sort of damage, cracking, peeling, and so on. Cost of this set is affordable, but the color selection is a bit off with a few regular shades not included in the set.
Product Specialty:
Suitable for both exterior and interior projects, it works amazingly on all surfaces and ensures fine detailing. It also lasts for a long time and the non-toxic formulation makes it safe for people of all ages, allowing your artistic skills to bloom.
Pros:
- Non-toxic formula
- Dries quickly
- Unique gift idea
- Suitable for both beginners and professionals
Cons:
- Color selection is a bit off
5. Krylon Colormaxx Spray Paint And Primer
Last but not least, we will discuss the Krylon Colormaxx Spray Paint And Primer available in the market, suitable for both exterior and interior art projects. The brand is a trusted name among artists, DIYers, and so on for several years now.
While this spray paint mainly works on wood, glass, metal surfaces , and ceramic, it is also convenient to use on cardboard and several other surfaces. It does not matter whether you are working on an interior or exterior project, this paint will ensure a top quality performance along with rust protection.
The paint comes in 12 Fl oz aerosol bottles which is super easy to use as you only have to press the spray paint nozzle and guide it along your project. With easy drying feature, the product dries to touch within 20 minutes and you can add layers or coatings depending on your requirement.
You have the freedom of choosing between various bold, radiant colors and several paint finish options, starting from metallic, gloss, to matte, flat, and many more.
Affordable price of the product makes sure that it can be used by each and every artist without putting much pressure on the wallet. However, the only downside is that the spray tip gets stuck at times.
Product Specialty:
Fast application and best spray paint for cardboard covers a decent amount of area and dries quickly within a few minutes. Suitable for both indoor and outdoor projects, the paint is extremely durable and goes a long way without any cracking or peeling. It also has the ability to prevent rusting, ensuring the beauty of the surface.
Pros:
- Quick drying
- Reasonable price
- Prevents rusting
- Works on a wide range of surfaces
Cons:
- The spray tip does not work smoothly
How To Choose Best Paint For Cardboard?
Choosing the right paint for painting cardboard is essential for the right quality, but it is quite a difficult task as there several factors that require careful consideration. Here, we will discuss the factors that affect the selection of cardboard paint.
Type Of Paint
The first factor you have to consider when it comes to paint for cardboard is the type of paint. This will ensure the condition of the cardboard while painting and how it looks after drying.
We typically use three types of paint to use on cardboard: acrylic, spray, and oil. Acrylic is the top choice in this case as it helps to bring out the fine detailing on the cardboard and you can apply this paint directly on the surface without having to worry about warping.
Spray paint is also a great paint type suitable for working on cardboard. It can be applied easily and does not drip or cause the cardboard to warp.
However, in case of both acrylic and spray paint use, you will have to prepare and prime the cardboard with a layer of gesso before you start painting.
Oil paintings on cardboard is possible but it is something not many people prefer. The reason behind this is that the amount of moisture in oil paints is a bit high which often causes the cardboard to warp and ruins the art project. But you can use oil paint on cardboard if you properly prime the surface with quite a few layers of gesso.
Also Read: Flat and Gloss Paint Differences
Type Of Finish
The finish that the paint offers has to be considered as well as it ensures the look of the paint once dried. In cardboard painting, the most common finishes are matte, satin, gloss, and so on. However, the finish you choose typically depends on the final look you are going for or the requirement of the art project.
Drying Time
When it comes to painting cardboards, the drying time plays a major role as not many people have the patience to wait hours for a layer of paint to dry. The majority of paints available in the market right now typically dry in an hour or less, a few even have a drying time of about 20 minutes.
This does not only allow you to complete the project early and also allows you to detail or add layers to the painting without spending much time on drying the paint.
Price
We all know that good quality of paint is available at a decent price and the cost varies depending on the number of colors, formulation, size, coverage, packaging, and so on.
If we talk about a 24 color set, the price starts as low as $15 and can rise up to $50 or more, depending on several factors. We often recommend painters or artists to go for colors or paints that are available at a reasonable price and offer a good quality as well.
A proper search and research of the market will help you to find several brands that offer an outstanding paint quality at an affordable price.
How To Paint Cardboard?
Acrylic, spray, and oil paint are the three most common type of paint that we use to paint on cardboard boxes, letters, and so on. The method of painting cardboard is different with each type of paint.
Acrylic Paint
To paint cardboard with water-based acrylic paint, you will first have to prime the surface properly. Apply a layer of gesso evenly on the surface before you starting painting. This will prevent the cardboard from warping and will reduce the amount of paint required.
After applying the gesso, directly paint the surface with the help of a paintbrush and allow it to dry before getting into the layers or detailing.
Spray Paint
Similar to acrylic paint, spray paints also require surface preparation with gesso. You can spray paint the cardboard after priming the surface. Press the spray tip of the bottle from a distance and use a cardboard paint shield to work on the corners to avoid mistakes. Make sure to allow the paint to dry before you start with the details.
Oil Paint
Working with oil paint on cardboard is a bit different than using acrylic or spray paint. The reason behind this is that the level of moisture present in oil paint is much greater than that of acrylic or spray paints. In this case, you will have to prime the surface with more than one layer of gesso to make sure that the moisture does not cause the cardboard to warp.
Once you have applied multiple layers of gesso, you can directly apply the paint to the cardboard. Make sure that you do not take an excess amount of paint as it can drip down the surface and allow the paint to dry properly.
Frequently Asked Questions – FAQ
1. What Kind Of Paint To Use On Cardboard?
You can use acrylic, spray, and oil paint on cardboard. Acrylic and spray paint are typically the top choices while painting on cardboard. You will have to prepare the surface with gesso and apply multiple layers to ensure a smooth and even finish.
2. How To Spray Paint Cardboard?
Spray painting cardboard is an easy process and does not require much time as well. Prepare the surface with a layer of gesso and apply the paint to the cardboard. We recommend the use of a paint shield to avoid mistakes as spray painting can often get messy. Allow the paint to dry completely before you start working on the layering or detailing.
3. Can You Paint On Cardboard?
Yes, cardboard is an essential part of the majority of art projects for both DIYers and professionals, and you paint it easily using acrylic, spray, or oil paint. Make sure you choose the right type of paint and you can make beautiful artworks and paintings on cardboard.
4. Can I Paint Cardboard With Acrylic Paint?
Acrylic paint is the best type of paint when it comes to painting cardboard. It is easy to apply and dries quickly, allowing you to work on intricate designs and complete the project easily. In addition to that, it lasts for a long time without cracking and peeling, allowing your art project to remain intact for years.
5. Should I Prime Cardboard Before Painting?
Yes, priming cardboard with gesso before painting is a mandatory step to make sure that the cardboard does not warp and ruin the entire project. The number of coatings of gesso you need to apply depends on the type of paint you are choosing.
6. Can You Paint Cardboard With Wall Paint?
No, cardboard is a porous surface and not all types of paint can be used on it. Wall paint will not adhere to the surface and will start dripping, ruining the entire project. Acrylic is the leading choice for painting cardboard.
7. Can I Use Tempera Paint On Cardboard?
Yes, tempera paint can be used on cardboard and it dries quickly while adhering beautifully to the surface. Tempera paint cardboard projects are successful due to the non-toxic formulation and creamy consistency that works on cardboard along with several other surfaces and helps to brighten up the details.
Final Words
Finding the best paint for cardboard is not an easy task in any way, especially when there are hundreds of brands and sets operating in the market. To make your cardboard art project a success, choosing the right ones is extremely important.
The products we have discussed above are some of the top choices when it comes to selecting paint for projects including cardboard. We hope that the guide above has helped you significantly in choosing the right paint for your project and do not forget to take the buying factors and features into consideration before making a purchase.
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