If you’re wondering whether you can tie dye with Sharpies, this is one of the most accessible projects you can try. There’s no fiber-reactive dye, no soda ash, and no long wait times. You just need canvas shoes, Sharpies, and rubbing alcohol.
I made these shoes for my daughter (she loves rainbows), and they turned out way cuter than I expected. If you’re new to dyeing or just want a low-pressure craft that actually works, this is a great place to start.
What You’ll Need
- White or light-colored canvas shoes. (Be sure to make sure these are NOT polyester. Made the mistake. It was bad. Here are the exact shoes I used for this project.)
- Sharpie markers (a basic rainbow set works great. You could also try metallics.)
- Rubbing alcohol (isopropyl alcohol)
- A dropper, syringe, or pipette
- Painter’s tape (optional but recommended)
- Something to protect your work surface
This is a very beginner-friendly project. You don’t need any specialty supplies.
Step 1: Prep the Shoes
Start by washing your shoes and let them air dry. A lot of fiber has coating on it when you buy it from a store.
Next, add painter’s tape along the white rubber soles of the shoes. This helps protect them from picking up color and keeps the final result looking clean.
Place the shoes on a protected surface. A plastic tarp or disposable table covering works just fine.
Step 2: Color With Sharpies
Choose the colors you want to use and start coloring directly onto the canvas with your Sharpies. Go slowly and make sure you’re adding plenty of color. The more ink you use, the less “drawn-on” the final result will look.
For these shoes, I ran the rainbow up toward the center and then reversed it back down for a subtle ombré effect. On the back strap, I added a small pop of pink, which ended up being one of my favorite details.
These were kid-size shoes and still took about 15 minutes. If you’re working on adult shoes, plan to take your time. This is a great project to do while listening to a podcast or audiobook!
Step 3: Blend the Colors With Alcohol
Once all the color is applied, use a dropper or syringe to add rubbing alcohol a little bit at a time. This step helps the Sharpie ink spread and blend together, giving the shoes more of a tie-dye look instead of a sketched-on look.
Add the alcohol using your dropper or syringe.
Let the Shoes Dry
After blending, let the shoes dry completely. There’s no heat setting or soaking required.
At the time of filming, I hadn’t washed them yet, but after regular wear, they’ve held up surprisingly well. My daughter has worn them a lot, and the colors have stayed vibrant so far.
Is Tie Dye With Sharpies Permanent?
Sharpie dye isn’t the same as traditional fabric dye, so it’s important to set expectations. That said, for canvas shoes that aren’t being machine-washed frequently, this method has held up better than expected.
This is an especially fun project for kids or anyone who wants a creative win without a big time or supply investment.
Watch the Full Video Tutorial
If you want to see the process in real time — including how fast I worked and how much alcohol I used — you can watch the full video tutorial here:
New to Tie Dye?
If this project made you curious about trying more techniques, I also have a free printable with 12 beginner-friendly tie-dye folds. It’s a great next step if you want to explore dyeing without feeling overwhelmed.
If you try this Sharpie tie dye shoe project, tag me on Instagram or leave a comment — I’d love to see how yours turn out.
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