Learn how to make your own groovy, psychedelic black light tote bag with this step-by-step tutorial and free SVG cut file. Keep reading to learn how you can create your own vividly glowing fabric projects. This post has been made in partnership with DecoArt and may contain affiliate links, which help to support this site at no extra cost to you. Thanks!
Today I have an electrifying craft to share with you all! This fun tote bag has a groovy, psychedelic vibe AND a surprising glow under black light. Did you know you can create your own black light crafts and wearables?? It’s true! And totally easy too. Let me tell you all about it. 🙂
DIY Black Light Tote
This tote bag was inspired by the colorful, psychedelic designs and fashions of the 60’s and 70’s. I created this groovy lady design, and I am sharing the free cut file with you here so you can easily make your own bag (or t-shirt or wall hanging or whatever). Ready to get crafting?
Here’s everything you will need to make your own groovy glowing tote.
DIY Black Light Tote Bag Supplies:
- Black Canvas Tote Bag
- White Heat Transfer Vinyl
- Silhouette, Cricut, or other electronic cutting machine
- Iron or Heat Press
- My Groovy Lady Cut File (When you click this link, a ZIP file containing the SVG, DXF, and PNG versions of the cut files will download. You will need to unzip the file before you will be able to use the cut files.)
- DecoArt Black Light Neon Paints (Now available at Michaels!)
I was really excited to work with DecoArt Black Light Neon paints for this project because they use fluorescent pigment technology that gives your projects a super fun, vivid glow effect under a black light. Plus, like my favorite DecoArt Multi-Surface paints, Black Light Neons can by used on all kind of surfaces including fabric, wood, paper, glass and more!
You can now get Black Light Neons at Michaels, so grab some on your next craft supply run, and let’s make something groovy!
Here’s how to make your own psychedelic black light tote.
Step One. Cut and Apply Vinyl Design.
Because DecoArt Black Light Neon paints are a versatile multi-surface paint and because they glow more vibrantly when painted on a white base layer, I decided to start by cutting my design from white heat transfer vinyl and paint on top of that.
Using white heat transfer vinyl as my base worked perfectly, and I definitely recommend it. This technique makes it really easy to create a clean, polished design.
It just takes a few simple steps to add the vinyl design to your bag.
- First, download my free groovy lady cut file from the supply list above. (Please Note:This cut file is free for personal use only. Please do not share or redistribute the cut files in any way, if you would like to share the designs with a friend, please send them a link as visits to my site allow me to continue to offer free cut files with you all. If you would like to use these designs for products you make and sell, you can purchase a limited commercial use license in my shop HERE.)
- After downloading the cut file, open the design in your cutting machine software, scale the design to fit on your tote bag, mirror the design, place the heat transfer vinyl on your cutting mat, and then send it to your cutting machine to cut. (Get more detailed instructions for working with heat transfer vinyl HERE.)
- Once your design has been cut, it’s time to “weed” or remove the excess vinyl from your design.
- Then, following the application instructions for your vinyl, use your iron or heat press to apply the vinyl design to the tote bag. And, finally, remove the plastic carrier sheet.
That’s it! Your design has been transferred to the bag and is ready for color!
Step Two. Paint Design.
Now it’s time to bring our groovy lady to life with some colorful neon paint! DecoArt Black Light Neons come in six vibrant colors, and I did a little color mixing for even more color variety. I mixed Blue and Ultraviolet for a deeper purple for one side of the face and Pink and Orange for the other side.
I used a soft round brush to apply paint to the various sections of the design.
To get opaque coverage, I found that I needed two to three coats of paint. However, for the background sections I used less paint for a lighter, more transparent look. Keep in mind that your colors will darken as they dry.
Once the paint has dried, your tote is all ready to glow in the black light!
Isn’t that cool? The vibrance of these colors under the black light is really something!
I had so much fun with this project, and now I have so many ideas for more Black Light Neon projects. Wouldn’t these paints be perfect for glowing party decorations? Or maybe a Halloween costume?
What do you think? What would you make? Tell me in the comments. 🙂
Until next time, Happy Making!
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