Select the method you want to use to make UV fluorescent fabric or clothing. Black light paints and spray paints come in a variety of colors. These colors appear under UV light. Generally, the paint appears to be a dull white under ordinary light. UV fluorescent dyes are another option. Ordinary fabric dyes intended to whiten or brighten colors will fluoresce blue and white under UV light.
Cover your work area with a plastic drop cloth for painting fabric with UV paint. If you are treating fabric in the form of a clothes item such as a T-shirt, cut out a cardboard form and slide it inside the clothing. This will keep paint from penetrating to the opposite side of the clothing unless you want it to.
Follow the manufacturer’s instructions to apply the paint. For spray paint this is usually a matter of point and spray. You might prefer to use artist’s paintbrushes and bottled UV paint instead. When you paint with a brush you can create designs that are as colorful and intricate as you wish. You’ll want to do this kind of fabric painting under UV light so you can see what the design actually looks like as you create it.
Mix regular or UV dye with water in a large container according to manufacturer’s instructions when dying fabric rather than painting it. Place the fabric in the dye and stir with a wooden spoon or stick. You should wear rubber gloves for dying. UV paint is non-toxic, but you will dye your hands as well as the fabric if you don’t wear gloves. Allow the fabric to soak so the dye penetrates the cloth fibers completely.
Wring the excess water out of dyed fabric. Hang the dyed cloth up outdoors or in a convenient place such as a bathroom to dry. This will keep the dye from getting in your clothes dryer. You might want to place a drop cloth under the drying fabric to catch drips when drying indoors.