Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Fresh, silk and dried flowers, permanent floral materials, wood, wicker, terra cotta, pottery, plaster, ribbons, lace, fabrics, Styrofoam™ brand foam, craft foam, foam board, paper, papier mache, glass, metal, some plastics and many other decorative surfaces. Always test-spray a small, hidden area first to ensure compatibility and desired results.

ColorTool Spray is pigmented color. It provides a translucent to semi-opaque to opaque coverage. A palette of over 50 colors includes vibrant shades and metallic hues. The ultra-fine spray tip provides a light coat of ColorTool Spray to create a wash of color — some surface details may still be visible. One or two additional coats build to full opacity.

Just For Flowers is a sheer, transparent color — think of it as a stain or dye. It adds rich color to a surface while allowing the underlying features to show through. The color deepens with each additional coat, but surface details remain visible. You control the color intensity. Transparent color also gives you creative flexibility to tint, shift or layer color. Just For Flowers colors fresh, silk and dried flowers without covering delicate details.

To remove spray from skin, wash with soap and water to remove as much color as possible. If color remains, apply lacquer thinner or acetone to a paper towel and rub the area. These solvents can dry the skin by removing natural oils, so wash the area again afterward and apply moisturizer.

Lacquer thinner or acetone can also remove overspray from many surfaces. Saturate a paper towel and rub to clean. Reapply if needed. Avoid using these solvents on plastic or acrylic, as they may etch the surface. To remove spray from natural fabrics, apply solvent to a cloth and gently lift the stain. Always test first in an inconspicuous area, if possible. Wash hands after use.

All Design Master® sprays are non-toxic once dry. Always apply sprays in a well-ventilated area and follow the instructions on the label.

Visit the Countries tab on this website to choose your location for availability of Design Master® products in your region. For further information contact Design Master Customer Service through our Contact page or call +1 800.525.2644, Monday-Friday 8:30am-4:30pm EST.

Please note that product and color availability varies by country.

Our ColorTool Spray colors — including metallic hues, Antique Gold, Brilliant Gold, Brilliant Silver and Copper — safely color rigid, open-cell Styrofoam™ brand foam and extruded polystyrene foam (EPS) foam. (Note, Styrofoam is trademarked by the Dow Chemical company. The term is frequently and inaccurately used to describe other rigid foam products.) Metallic colors from our Premium Metals line have heavier pigment loads. Their formulations will distort the foam.

Follow the directions on the label and spray from approximately 18 in / 46 cm away. Spraying too close to the foam surface does not give the solvent time to evaporate. If too much solvent settles on the surface, it can damage the foam. Apply light, even coats of color. Allow each coat to dry before applying the next. Build up coverage gradually. (Remember, it dries quickly, so this won’t take long.) Avoid heavy coats or spraying again before the previous layer has dried — this can leave the surface wet for too long and may cause the foam to melt.

ColorTool Spray also safely colors expanded polystyrene foam (EPS). Use the same spraying method for safe application. For other types of foam, always test-spray first to ensure compatibility and avoid melting.

Yes, fabrics can be colored with ColorTool Sprays, Premium Metals, and Just For Flowers. These sprays work on a variety of fabrics and generally leave the fabric with a slightly starched feel. When sprayed on fabric, Metallic colors will appear less reflective than when applied to a smooth surface.

The texture of the sprayed finish will vary depending on the nap and weave of the fabric. For example, ripstop nylon will produce a smoother finish than cotton knit (like a T-shirt). Fabrics with small, loose fibers — such as cotton T-shirts — tend to absorb more spray, making the color slightly more prominent. Once dry, the surface may feel a little rough. A simple remedy: use a piece of scratch paper to gently “sand” the painted fabric. This helps remove the rough fibers and smooth the finish — without affecting the color!

Yes, washable fabrics colored with Design Master® sprays can be washed. The color is not water-soluble and will not bleed. No heat-setting is required. The color holds up well, but after repeated washing, the intensity may gradually fade.

Painting in direct sunlight or on a hot, humid day can cause the solvent of the spray to dry too quickly. This rapid drying — called “flashing off” — may leave a dull, whitish film on the surface. It can happen with both color and clear coat sprays under these conditions.

To fix, simply re-spray the item in a room-temperature, low-humidity environment. Design Master® sprays are lacquer-based, so the new coat will re-solubilize the previous one and bond with it, restoring a normal finish.

The surface may have a pre-applied finish from manufacturing. Many items are coated with a clear finish that can be difficult to identify. Most Design Master® sprays are fast-drying. If the surface is still tacky after 30 minutes, it likely means there is an incompatibility between finishes.

Test-spraying a small, hidden area is the best way to check for compatibility. For vinyl surfaces, applying a base coat of Design Master® Super Surface Sealer creates a barrier that allows the spray color to dry properly.

Some terra cotta pots have an invisible mold release film left on the surface from manufacturing. This film prevents paint from sticking—even though it’s hard to detect. Therefore, if it is not sticking, the mold release needs to be removed.

To fix, wash the pot in soapy water and scrub the surface thoroughly. Let it dry completely before spraying again.