Short answer
For designs and lettering, use Sharpie Stained brush tip fabric markers; the listing says the ink resists fading in normal wash cycles. For names and labels, use Sharpie Rub-a-Dub, which its listing says stays permanent through washing and dry cleaning. A classic Sharpie marks fabric but is not made for it and can bleed and fade in the wash.
Sharpie fabric markers on Amazon
Sharpie’s two fabric lines plus one alternative, each listing checked by hand.
-
Sharpie Stained fabric markers, brush tip, 8 count
Sharpie’s fabric marker for designs. The listing says the brush tip lays down thick and thin lines, the ink adheres to many fabric types and resists fading in normal wash cycles.
- 8 colors
- Brush tip
-
Sharpie Rub-A-Dub permanent laundry marker, fine, black
A laundry marker for names and labels. The listing says it marks permanently on cloth and stays permanent through washing and dry cleaning.
- Fine tip
- Black
-
Sharpie Rub-a-Dub laundry markers, black, 2 pack
Two Rub-a-Dub fine point markers, handy for labeling a whole family’s clothes or camp gear.
- Fine point
- 2 markers
-
Tulip permanent fabric markers, 20 pack, fine tip
A non-Sharpie alternative with more colors for designs on light fabric.
- 20 colors
- Fine tip
Each pick links to an Amazon listing we checked by hand. Prices, colors and pack sizes change on Amazon, so check the listing before you buy. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
Sharpie markers on fabric, compared
Sharpie markers on cloth, from the listings
| Marker | Made for fabric? | Tip | Listing claim | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpie Stained | Yes | Brush | Resists fading in normal wash cycles | Designs, lettering, decorating shirts and bags |
| Sharpie Rub-a-Dub | Yes | Fine | Permanent through washing and dry cleaning | Names, sizes, labels |
| Classic Sharpie permanent | No | Fine, ultra fine | Sold for paper and hard surfaces | Emergency labels only |
| Sharpie oil-based paint marker | No | Extra fine to medium | Sold for hard surfaces | Shoe soles, hard trims |
| Sharpie chalk marker | No | Medium | Wet erase | Boards and glass, never clothes |
Sharpie permanent fabric markers: Stained
Stained by Sharpie is the line for decorating. The 8 count brush set includes black, blue, green, yellow, orange, red, pink and purple, per the listing. Brush tips make it good for hand lettering. Like other dye-style fabric markers it shows best on white and light fabric. Our Sharpie Stained guide covers use and wash care in detail.
Fabric marker Sharpie for labels: Rub-a-Dub
Rub-a-Dub is a fine tip laundry marker. Its listing says it marks permanently on cloth, suits fabrics and synthetics, and stays permanent through washing and dry cleaning. Write on a care label or a plain inside seam, pull the fabric taut over card, and let it dry before washing. It is black only, so it is not a decorating pen.
What a classic Sharpie does on a shirt
A classic Sharpie is dye ink in a solvent made for paper and hard surfaces. On cloth it wicks along the fibers, so lines spread, and repeated washing fades it. It also does not come out easily, which is why a stray mark is so annoying. For anything you mean to keep, use Stained or Rub-a-Dub; for a stray mark, see below.
How to use Sharpie fabric markers so they last
- Prewash
Wash and dry the item with no fabric softener so the ink can soak into clean fibers.
- Back it with card
Slide card inside a shirt or bag so ink does not bleed through and the surface stays flat.
- Draw lightly
Let the brush or fine tip glide. Pressing hard spreads ink along the weave.
- Let it dry fully
Give the design time to dry before wearing or washing; follow any setting step on the pack.
- Wash gently
Inside out, cool to warm, gentle cycle, and line dry or tumble low.
Removing a Sharpie mistake from fabric
Treat it before it goes in the dryer. Tide’s ink guide uses a solvent such as rubbing alcohol, hair spray or hand sanitizer: test on a hidden spot for colorfastness, put a paper towel under the stain, apply the solvent so the ink transfers to the towel, rinse in cold water, pretreat with detergent and wash, then check before drying, because drying will set the stain. It also notes that permanent ink is the hardest ink to remove (Tide ink guide). Full steps by fabric: how to get permanent marker out of fabric.
When a different fabric marker is better
- Dark fabric: dye markers barely show; use an opaque white fabric marker.
- Bold lines that last: see permanent fabric markers.
- Every fabric marker type: fabric markers.
Questions people ask
What marker works best on fabric?
A marker made for fabric. For colorful designs on light fabric, a brush or fine tip fabric marker such as Sharpie Stained or Tulip. For names and labels, a laundry marker such as Sharpie Rub-a-Dub. For dark fabric, an opaque fabric paint marker in white or a bright color, since dye-style fabric markers barely show on black.
Does Dawn dish soap get Sharpie out of clothes?
Dish soap alone is not a strong solvent for permanent ink. Tide’s ink stain guide relies on rubbing alcohol, hair spray or hand sanitizer to loosen ink, and uses clear dish soap only as part of a soak with white vinegar for some fabrics. It also notes permanent ink is the hardest kind to remove and often needs a dedicated remover.
Are Sharpie pens permanent on fabric?
Sharpie’s fabric lines are made to last: the Rub-a-Dub listing says it stays permanent through washing and dry cleaning, and the Stained listing says the ink resists fading in normal wash cycles. A classic Sharpie leaves a mark that is hard to remove, but it is not sold for fabric, so expect some bleeding and fading over many washes.
Will a Sharpie mark on a shirt wash out?
Usually not in a normal wash. A classic Sharpie mark often fades but rarely disappears, and drying can set it further. To remove one, blot rubbing alcohol through the stain from the back onto a paper towel, rinse, pretreat with detergent and wash, and check before drying. Tide warns that drying will set the stain.
Does Sharpie stay permanent on fabric?
The fabric-specific markers are designed to. Rub-a-Dub is sold as a permanent laundry marker that survives washing and dry cleaning, and Stained is sold as fade resistant in normal washes. Results still depend on the fabric, so prewash, let the ink dry fully, wash inside out and avoid harsh scrubbing on the design.
Sources
Last reviewed 2026-10-12. Specs and availability change; check the listing before you buy.