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Chalk Couture

What Surfaces Work With Chalk Couture

The short version. Chalkology Paste wipes off nonporous surfaces and soaks permanently into porous ones. Chalkology Ink is permanent on everything once it is heat set. Everything below is that one rule applied to the surfaces people actually ask about.

By , Chalk Couture's highest selling designer of all time and the only designer to hold Legend status in both sales and sponsoring. Prices and product lists checked 2026-09-02.

Surface by surface

Surface Chalkology Paste Chalkology Ink What to know
Chalkboard Wipes off Permanent The classic. Redo it every season with the same board.
Glass Wipes off Permanent Great on jars, vases and cabinet fronts.
Metal Wipes off Permanent Trays, buckets, galvanized anything.
Painted wood Wipes off Permanent The paint is what makes it nonporous. Fuzz your transfer first or it lifts the paint.
Painted walls Wipes off Permanent Yes, really. Test a corner first if the paint is flat rather than satin.
Bare or unfinished wood Permanent Permanent Soaks into the grain. Seal it first with surface wax if you want it removable.
Paper and cardstock Permanent Permanent Cards, tags, printables. Nothing is coming off paper.
Fabric Not recommended Permanent once heat set This is what ink is for. Tea towels, T shirts, aprons, totes.
Ceramic and pottery Depends on the glaze Permanent Glazed wipes off, unglazed terracotta soaks in.

Why porous and nonporous is the only rule that matters

A nonporous surface has nowhere for the paste to go, so it dries on top and water lifts it back off. A porous surface drinks it into the grain or the fibre, and once it is down in there nothing is bringing it back. That single distinction explains every answer in the table above, including the ones that surprise people.

If you are unsure which one you have, put a drop of water on it. If the water beads and sits, the surface is nonporous and paste will wipe off. If it soaks in and darkens the surface, the paste will soak in too.

Sealing raw wood so it stays changeable

Bare wood is the surface people most often wish they had thought about first. Chalk Couture Surface Wax over the raw wood gives the paste something to sit on instead of soaking in, and it has a second benefit that matters just as much. A waxed surface lets the transfer lift away clean rather than grabbing at the grain.

The paint lifting problem

A new transfer straight out of the package is stickier than it will ever be again, and on a freshly painted surface it will pull paint off when you peel it. Fuzz it first. Press it against a lint-free cloth or an old T shirt several times so it picks up a little lint. It still grips fine and it stops taking your paint with it. More on that on the transfers page.

Surfaces Chalk Couture sells

You can chalk almost anything, and sometimes it is easier to start with a blank that is already the right size and already sealed. These are the 70 in my store as of 2026-09-02.

Questions I get about surfaces

What surfaces can you use Chalk Couture on?

Nonporous surfaces like chalkboards, glass, metal and painted walls take Chalkology Paste and let you wipe it off again. Porous surfaces like unfinished wood and paper keep the design permanently. Chalkology Ink is permanent on everything, including fabric, once it is heat set.

Can you use Chalk Couture on glass?

Yes. Both paste and ink work on glass. Paste wipes off with water, ink stays for good.

Can you use Chalk Couture on painted walls?

Yes, and it is one of the more surprising things it does. Paste comes off a painted wall with water. Test an out of the way corner first if your paint is a flat finish, since flat paint is more porous than satin or semi gloss.

How do you use Chalk Couture on bare wood without it being permanent?

Seal the wood first. Chalk Couture Surface Wax over raw wood gives you a barrier so the paste sits on top instead of soaking into the grain, and it also makes the transfer easier to lift cleanly.

Why did my transfer pull the paint off my surface?

The transfer was too sticky, which happens with a brand new one straight out of the package. Press it against a lint-free cloth or an old T shirt several times before the first use. It picks up enough lint to calm the adhesive down without losing grip.

Can you put Chalk Couture on a T shirt?

Yes, with Chalkology Ink rather than paste, and heat set it afterwards. Put something inside the shirt first so the ink cannot print through onto the back.

I am an independent Chalk Couture designer, so I earn a commission when you shop through my links. See my disclosure for more.