What is the Best Food Safe Paint in 2022?

Spreading your artistic touch to the canvas might not be enough. An artist like me would love adding their artsy skills through food-safe paint to their regular use plates and ceramics as well.

Or maybe the aesthetics aren’t the only concern; you might need to conceal the imperfections of your old yet antique pieces too.

What is the Best Food Safe Paint?

It would be best to have the ideal paint to ensure the best paint outcome on ceramics, porcelain, china, or glass dinnerware. Only food-safe paints in the market can save your dishes among the hundred available options.

Now, the question arises on which is the best food safe paint? There are oil-based, water-based, and even enamel paints in the stores. But are they worth it? Just give us a few minutes of your valuable time, and we’ll provide all the answers.

Things you will know from this article:

  • What types of paint for dishes are safe to still eat food off of?
  • Can you drink out of spray-painted cups?
  • Buying Guide for the best food-safe paint
  • General FAQs

A Look at our Favorites 2022:

ImageProductFeaturesPrice
Food Safe Paint for Wood
Crafts 4 All Acrylic Paint Set
Crafts 4 All Acrylic Paint Set
  • 24 Tubes in a Set
  • Smooth satin finish 
  • Non-toxic, durable formula
Check Price
Food Safe Spray Paint
Rust-Oleum Zinsser 408
Rust-Oleum Zinsser 408
  • Non-toxic oil paint
  • Usable on wooden pieces, plastic, and vinyl
  • The natural resin dries transparent 
Check Price
Food Safe Glass Paint
PEBEO Porcelaine 150
PEBEO Porcelaine 150
  • Water-based non-toxic formula
  • Usable on different surfaces, even porcelain
  • It offers a glossy finish
Check Price
Food Safe Porcelain Paint
ZEYAR Acrylic Paint Pens
ZEYAR Acrylic Paint Pens
  • 12 Color markers in a set
  • Non-toxic advanced technology paint
  • Withstands high temperature
Check Price
Ceramics Uses
MAKER'S STUDIO Food Safe Ceramic Paint
MAKER’S STUDIO Food Safe Ceramic Paint
  • Water-based food-safe paint
  • The no-bake formula for convenient usage
  • Microwave and food safety guaranteed
Check Price

What Types of Paint for Dishes Are Safe To Still Eat Food Off Of?

There is specialized food safe ceramic paint in the craft retailers’ stores, but they must be labeled as food-safe and non-toxic to ensure their usage in your daily cutleries. You can easily apply the paints using regular paintbrushes, sponges, stencils, stamps, pads, or whatever tool you use usually. They look just like your ordinary paint. You can also find food safe paints for porcelain, glass, and plastic, specially manufactured.

If you are looking for some pens for detail work, that’s not an impossible find either. However, you might have to look in a broader radius to spot these specialized ceramic paint pens.

1. Crafts 4 All Acrylic Paint Set – Food Safe Paint for Wood

Crafts 4 All Acrylic Food Safe Paint for Wood

I heard you’re looking for a paint set safe to use on dishes and plates but with more versatility. The Crafts 4 all acrylic paint set seems precisely like what you need. How? Let’s see.

With a unique formula, the paints offer a smooth consistency that always has a professional finish no matter what. Besides, the advanced technology also ensures brilliance in color pigmentation. Since it provides a smooth surface, it’s even easy to mix!

Yes, as I mentioned, different surfaces, including glass, wood, paper, canvas, metal, ceramic, etc. So, whether you are looking for paint to show artistic skills on paper or your dinner plates, you know what to buy!

What I liked is how easily you can intermix them to create hundred beautiful shades with zero effort! And hey! If your kid is interested in doing some DIY projects with you, don’t hesitate to make him your painting partner. This paint is non-toxic while it dries faster without losing its vividity.

With all these colors at hand, you might want to paint more, but you need to adjust the quantity or buy more. But, with the affordable price and high-end quality, it seems worth it!

So, for your kids’ backpack art supplies or your DIY crafting enthusiasm, wouldn’t you get a handful of the Crafts 4 all paint?

Pros
  • Thick consistency for arts and crafts
  • Versatile paint for several surfaces 
  • Fast-drying formula
  • Colors last longer than expected
  • Ideal for both beginners and professionals
  • Water-based kid-friendly formula 
  • It comes with three bonus brushes!
Cons
  • The quantity might not be sufficient for professionals. You’ll have to make more purchases!

2. Rust-Oleum Zinsser 408 – Food Safe Spray Paint

Rust-Oleum Zinsser 408 Food Safe Spray Paint

You look at your wooden furniture or the vintage wooden dinnerware and it clearly needs some clear coat with safety tag. Then you must take a look at the Rust-Oleum Zinsser 408 Bulls Eye clear shellac spray.

Firstly, why do I prefer this clear coat? Because it’s a natural formula! Yes, no kidding. It’s an alcohol-based solution of natural resin. If you want to add an antique touch to your wooden pieces, it has a faint golden cast perfect for your needs.

In a world where speed is necessary, the shellac clear coat fits like a glove! It has a fast-drying mechanism that makes your DIY work even more accessible. Do you know the best part about the paint? It doesn’t leave a yellow tint while time passes by. It stays intact with its natural shine. You might think a clear coat like this will take a lot of maintenance effort, but it doesn’t. Just clean it up with some detergent and water!

For a smoother finish, you might need to go up a level of creativity here. Padding or brushing method with a clean cloth may be your answer for a professional finish. It’s just a tip for professionals or perfectionists. Otherwise, it’s all good!

Lastly, it’s a highly affordable clear coat with food-grade safety, which isn’t common to find these days. So, what’s holding you back?

Pros
  • Adds an antique look to wooden pieces
  • A faint golden touch lighter than usual oil-based coats
  • Fast-drying formula
  • It gives a natural feel to the woodwork finish
  • It does not fade away; get yellow or brownish
  • Easy to clean with water and detergent 
  • Very easy to apply without dripping
Cons
  • The padding method offers a better result than just spraying

3. PEBEO Porcelaine 150 – Food Safe Glass Paint

PEBEO Porcelaine 150 Food Safe Glass Paint

I got you the perfect catch if you are looking for the most durable paint for your porcelain dinner plates. The PEBEO Porcelaine 150 is what you need.

When you are thinking of paint to put on your dishes and plates, you need to make sure it’s kid-safe too. And this paint is beyond any doubts and hesitations. With a non-toxic kid-safe formula, even your children can do DIY crafting.

Would you like an excellent gloss on your porcelain, ceramics, and glass items? The PEBEO offers precisely that! What I loved about the paint is turning it into durable permanent paint by baking the right way. It also becomes resistant to UV, solvent, and water.

Now, the only time-consuming part would be baking. But not much though, it will take only 15-20 minutes. Do follow the instructions properly for the best outcomes. And did I mention the fantastic range of colors you can find in them and that they are also intermixable to create more!

Who wouldn’t go for some quality stuff like that?

Pros
  • Vivid colors with long-lasting effect
  • They are easy to intermix and gives off unlimited hues
  • The colors are resistant to UV or solvent once baked
  • Before baking, you can remove it without any hassle
  • Countless choice of colors to please your artistic soul
  • Highly convenient to use
Cons
  • You need to follow the correct instructions for baking the paint, or it will not be permanent. 
  • They might be too thick for some cases. 

4. ZEYAR Acrylic Paint Pens for Food Safe Porcelain Paint

ZEYAR Acrylic Paint Pens for Food Safe Porcelain Paint

You cannot satisfy your artistic needs with only some liquid paint, especially the detailing. That’s when you need something like the ZEYAR Acrylic paint pens.

Finding food-safe paint in liquid form is easy these days, but that’s a tough find in the paint pen form. But here you go! A paint pen set that is non-toxic, acid-free, and absolutely food safe.

Paint pens might make you wonder whether they will come off with some high heat and temperature. Well, no worries with this one because it’s a master of withstanding heat. However, to make sure it will do a great job as desired, you must follow the baking procedure as directed.

The brilliant, vivid colors are not only great to look at, but the markers also come with a low odor. And the medium point type fits all your needs, either detailing or filling up. And did I tell you how this paint doesn’t fade away or come off even with water? Yup, that’s all true.

So, who’s up for some artistic detailing on their dishes?

Pros
  • It offers bright colors with maximum durability 
  • It does not fade away or yellow
  • Resistant to water and low-odor
  • Opaque and permanent after baking
  • All 12 colors have excellent vividity
  • It comes with medium point, so it fits all purposes easily; even detail works 
Cons
  • It would be best to be very careful with the baking process and baking temperature; otherwise, it will come off, get clumpy, etc.

5. Food Safe Ceramic Paint

Food Safe Ceramic Paint

Ceramics items have always been a classy choice. But what if you could improve by putting on some enamel on them? That’s what the Maker’s Studio Food Safe Enamel paint is for!

When I first had a look at these paints, the rich pigmentation with brilliant brightness captured my attention, and I just had to get these! Usually, it’s a mess with enamel paints, the dripping, and application. But gladly, with these paints, it’s easy and convenient like a piece of cake.

Not only can you brighten up your ceramics stuff with this paint, but you can apply it like a pro on glass, china, porcelain as well. And it’s even easy to use. Somehow, if you get some paint spills on other stuff, don’t worry before it’s easy to get off before it cures. And the best part is you don’t even need to bake it!

However, it takes about 12-14 hours to cure the paint thoroughly. Yes, it might seem a bit time-consuming, but it’s all worth it when you get a coat of permanent enamel on all the dishes and antique items as well. Hey, don’t worry about the safety at all. It’s both food safe and microwave safe.

Let’s start applying the artistic touch to your favorite bowls, mugs, plates, and whatnot!

Pros
  • Enamel paint with excellent durability 
  • Very simple to apply and clean as well
  • Offers rich pigmentation 
  • Suitable for ceramic, glass, porcelain, and China 
  • Offers permanent colors without baking 
  • Safe for dinnerware
Cons
  • Do not put the dinnerware in the dishwasher 
  • It takes a long time to dry, comparatively 

Can You Drink Out of Spray-Painted Cups?

Yes, you can, but you need to make sure they are food-safe paints like the Shellac food-safe spray paint. For spray painting cups or mugs, remember to cover the mugs’ inside with painter’s tape completely. And then spray the paints lightly over the whole outer mug surface. For a layer to dry, give it about half an hour. You might need up to 4-5 layers of paint for a perfect finish.

Hey, do remember to give ample time for the spray paint to dry totally!

Factors to Consider When Buying the Best Food Safe Paint

Factors to Consider When Buying the Food Safe Paint

When it comes to general acrylic paints, the scams and fake promises might hurt you and upset you. But if it’s for your kitchenware, it might even prove dangerous for you and your children. So, no matter what you choose, that’s a giant leap of faith right there. Hence, when purchasing paint for your kitchenware, remember to check these factors.

Paint type

The first and foremost rule of buying a food-safe paint is to check if it is compatible with the material you are painting it on. There are paints manufactured differently for different materials, like, wood, ceramics, glass, porcelain, plastic, etc.

For instance, the Maker’s studio food-safe enamel is particularly for ceramics, and porcelain, while the Crafts 4 all acrylic paint is suitable for any surface. It would be a waste of time and money to make the wrong purchase, so don’t!

Purpose of the paint

Now, you need to decide whether you are getting the paint solely for painting your kitchenware or for different uses, even canvas art. You need to ask yourself whether you will settle for a paint specialized for a single purpose or use in other cases.

Safety assurance

Not all paints are safe for your kitchenware. Some of these paints have toxic elements that come in contact with your eyes or you inhale, which can prove dangerous.

But don’t worry, it’s not troublesome to identify such paints. They have a non-toxic or food-safe label on them. So, check for it before making the purchase.

Kitchenware material

When painting on your kitchenware, it’s apparent that you will be eating off of the paint. So, it would be best if you were assured that it’s food safe. You need to know whether you are painting the proper color on the suitable material for this assurance.

In this case, the most trustable choice for me are the paints that need to be baked for permanent drying, so you can already see that it doesn’t melt with heat or water.

Water and heat resistance

As you’ll be using the paint on your kitchenware and cutleries, they’ll be coming in contact with water and heat. So, whatever color you use on them must withstand the heat and moisture.

Hence, make sure to check for the label. Besides, there are some paints like the PEBEO porcelain that are even resistant to UV. That gets my extra vote!

FAQs:

Are our enamel paints food safe?

Yes, enamel paint is considered food-safe paint. The specialized ceramic paints are water-based enamel paint that may need baking or not to give off the rich pigmentation you desire.

Is acrylic paint suitable for kitchenware?

Your usual arts and crafts acrylic paints are not food safe, but the specialized ones marked as food safe are okay for using on kitchenware.

Can you hand paint ceramic plates?

Of course, you can! All you need are paints, brushes, paint pens for steady detailing, maybe a stencil if you want. And you can easily apply the food-safe paint on the dinnerware as you paint on canvas. But don’t forget to bake the painted material in the oven or dry it for at least 24 hours.

Final Verdict:

Adding some color to your most delicate utensils will fulfill your artistic needs, and you can also show it off to people. Besides, these are a great way to make some improvisation to the kitchenware with the minor investment. But for your ideas to work without any health hazards, you’ll need to use the food safe paints on them.

I’ve added the whole list with hours of research and only picked the best for you. So, don’t settle for less. Take time to pick your paint because it’s not just the aesthetics we are considering; it’s your health too. So, are you ready to add some of your color taste to those wine glasses?

Leave a Comment