Poster Paint Vs. Acrylic Vs. Gouache: Which One Is Best for Posters

When it comes to making a poster that stands out—whether in a classroom, on a street corner, or in an exhibition—the paint you choose isn’t just a technical detail. It determines how bold your message looks, how long your work lasts, and how smooth your process will be. But with so many types of paint available, how do you decide which one is best?

In this guide, we take a detailed look at the three most popular types of paint for posters: poster paint, acrylic paint, and gouache. While all three are water-based, they differ greatly in texture, durability, color richness, and usability. If you’re wondering which paint will deliver the results you want—whether you're a teacher, a parent, an artist, or a designer—this post will help you make the right choice.

What Are These Paints?

Understanding the nature of each paint is the first step in choosing the best one for your poster. Though they may look similar in tubes or jars, their ingredients and behavior are vastly different.

Poster Paint

Poster paint (also called tempera in some contexts) is a washable, water-based paint designed for quick use, easy cleanup, and bold results. It’s the classic choice in schools for a reason: it’s safe for children, affordable in bulk, and dries fast.

• Water-soluble, dries matte

• Easy to clean from clothes, brushes, and hands

• Designed for paper, cardboard, poster board

• Not suitable for permanent or outdoor displays

Acrylic Paint

Acrylic paint is made from pigments mixed with an acrylic polymer. It dries to a plastic-like film that’s highly pigmented, waterproof, and long-lasting. It’s the paint of choice for many artists and craft professionals.

• Works on almost any surface: paper, canvas, wood, even fabric

• Becomes waterproof after drying

• Rich in color, adaptable to various styles

• Requires fast cleaning before it sets

Gouache

Gouache (pronounced “gwash”) is a hybrid between watercolor and acrylic. It uses a water-based binder like watercolor but has added white pigment or chalk for opacity. The result is a velvety, matte paint that dries fast and can be re-wet for further work.

• High opacity and smooth texture

• Excellent for detailed, flat-color work

• Often used by illustrators and designers

• Not water-resistant unless sealed

1. Color Vibrancy and Finish

Color is arguably the most important part of any poster. The vibrancy of the paint and how it looks under light can determine whether your message is seen—or ignored.

Poster paint is known for its bold, child-friendly hues. Its colors pop on the page and draw the eye, especially when freshly applied. But once dry, those same colors may become muted or streaky, especially on thinner paper. The finish tends to be chalky or uneven unless applied skillfully.

Acrylic paint, in contrast, delivers consistently rich, saturated tones that stay intense even after drying. Its glossy or satin finish makes it feel more polished and professional. Acrylic is especially effective in posters where layering, gradients, or bold contrast is needed, like art shows or commercial signage.

Gouache gives you a more subtle, sophisticated color quality. It dries completely matte and is ideal when you want smooth, glare-free color areas—perfect for clean typography, illustration, and scan-ready artwork. The lack of shine also makes it look highly uniform and neat.

Choose poster paint for instant brightness on a budget.
Choose acrylic for saturated, lasting brilliance.
Choose gouache for clean, elegant color application.

2. Drying Time and Workability

Drying time matters more than you think. A paint that dries too fast might prevent blending; one that takes too long might delay your project. And if your paint allows you to rework or adjust your image, you’ll have more creative flexibility.

Poster paint is fast-drying by nature. It often dries within 5–10 minutes, which is great for classrooms, tight schedules, or group activities where layering isn’t required. The downside? Once it’s dry, it’s hard to modify or correct mistakes.

Acrylic offers a bit more time—10 to 30 minutes, depending on thickness and air flow—but once dry, it’s permanent. This makes it excellent for layered artwork and textured effects, but you have to plan ahead. You can't re-wet it or scrape it off easily without damaging the paper.

Gouache strikes a rare balance. It dries fairly quickly but can be reactivated with water even after it's dry. That means you can soften edges, blend areas, or revise designs with more freedom. This makes it ideal for artists who prefer control and experimentation.

Choose poster paint if speed is your priority.
Choose gouache if you want creative flexibility.
Choose acrylic for structured, durable compositions.

3. Durability and Water Resistance

Not all posters are displayed in dry, safe environments. If your project is going outdoors—or needs to last for weeks—paint durability becomes essential.

Poster paint is the most fragile of the three. It’s water-soluble and can be ruined by a single drop of water. It’s fine for indoor or temporary use but not reliable for wet or humid conditions.

Acrylic paint is extremely durable. Once dry, it’s water-resistant, fade-resistant, and suitable for high-traffic or outdoor areas. It won’t run, peel, or smudge, making it ideal for long-term or public-facing posters.

Gouache is delicate. Though it looks elegant, it's vulnerable to smudging and water damage unless sealed with a fixative. That limits its use to indoor displays, especially in art portfolios or scanned works.

Use acrylic for posters that must survive the elements.
Avoid poster paint and gouache outdoors or in humid areas.

4. Washability and Cleanup

Painting can be fun—until it’s time to clean up. For schools, parents, or studios, ease of cleanup matters just as much as performance.

Poster paint is the clear winner here. It's washable from almost any surface, including skin, floors, and clothes. It's also non-toxic, which makes it a staple in environments with kids.

Acrylic paint needs to be washed off immediately. Once dry, it's nearly impossible to remove without solvents. This is especially tricky when used with children or on shared workspaces.

Gouache is somewhat forgiving. While not as washable as poster paint, it's easier to manage than acrylic—especially while still wet.

Use poster paint for any group setting or child-led project.
Only use acrylic where permanent work is worth the mess.

5. Cost and Availability

Budget often drives creative decisions—especially in classrooms, workshops, or group events.

Poster paint is the most economical. Sold in large tubs or squeeze bottles, it provides excellent coverage at a low price, making it perfect for bulk projects.

Acrylic paint costs more but comes in a wide range of qualities—from student-grade to professional. High-quality acrylics can be pricey, but you get what you pay for in color and durability.

Gouache is often the most expensive, particularly when using artist-grade brands. It’s typically sold in small tubes or pans and used more sparingly.

Choose poster paint for high-volume, budget-friendly projects.
Choose gouache or acrylic if quality and control outweigh cost.

Quick Decision Guide

Conclusion: Match Your Paint to Your Purpose

So which paint is truly the best for posters?

It depends.

• Poster paint is ideal for fast, colorful results where cost and cleanup are top priorities.

• Acrylic paint is perfect for bold, permanent, weather-resistant posters.

• Gouache is the artist’s choice for controlled detail, smooth texture, and matte perfection.

Rather than chasing the “best” paint overall, focus on choosing the paint that fits your intended audience, environment, and message.

Whether you're organizing a classroom art session, preparing a gallery-worthy display, or working on a detailed illustration, the right paint makes all the difference. At W\&K Craft, we offer a curated selection of poster paints, acrylics, and gouache to meet the needs of every creative scenario. Our washable poster paints are safe and vibrant for school use, while our high-pigment acrylics deliver long-lasting brilliance for crafts and displays. For designers and artists seeking smooth, matte finishes, our professional-grade gouache offers exceptional control and color accuracy. Explore our full product line and find the ideal materials to match your vision—whether you're creating for fun, function, or fine art.

FAQs: Poster Paint vs. Acrylic vs. Gouache

Q1: Can I mix gouache with acrylic paint?

Technically yes, but they behave very differently. Acrylic dries waterproof; gouache remains water-soluble. Mixing them can lead to uneven textures or unexpected results.

Q2: What paper should I use with gouache?

Heavy watercolor paper or mixed-media paper is best. Gouache needs a surface that can handle moisture without warping.

Q3: Can I use poster paint for a portfolio piece?

Not recommended. Poster paint isn’t archival and can degrade or smudge over time. Use acrylic or gouache instead.

Q4: What paint is best for scanned posters or prints?

Gouache. Its flat, non-reflective finish makes it perfect for digital reproduction.

Q5: Which paint is safest for kids under 6?

Poster paint. It’s non-toxic, washable, and widely used in early education.