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How Long Does Tempera Paint Take to Dry? (Explained)

Tamiya paints are excellent water-based paints that are suitable for use for craft projects, school projects, windows, posters, and many more.

Thus, before or while using Tempera paint for any project, how long the paint is going to take to dry can be one of your common queries. So, stick till the end to find out all the answers related to this query. 

Tempera paint drying time

Tempera paint usually takes around as little as 5-10 minutes to dry. However, the exact drying time of Tempera paint absolutely depends on temperature, the humidity level in the air, air circulation, the density of the paint, and the absorbency of the surface where Tempera paint has been applied.

Since Tempera paint can be used for various art projects as well as on wood, glass, etc. working with Tempera paint on canvas and wood projects, you may wonder how long it takes the paint to dry on wooden surfaces and canvas.

Thereby, the below answers have been added. 

On Canvas:

First of all, Tempera paint isn’t a suitable paint to apply on canvases because the surface of a canvas is quite flexible, thus, when several thick layers of Tempera paint are applied, the paint cracks upon drying.

But if you still want to go use Tempera paint to paint on canvas, you must let the paint dry for 24 hours at least, especially if you have applied thick layers of Tempera paint.

On Wood:

Since Tempera paint adheres to wood, the paint may just take about 5 to 10 minutes to get dried if you use it for doing any wooden project with Tempera paint.

However, the drying time mentioned here isn’t the exact time always because how long Tempera paint will take to dry on wood surfaces depends on factors like temperature, humidity, wind, heat, and the surface’s absorbency strength.

Moreover, as wood has solid a solid surface, tempera paint may take longer time than expected to dry. 

What Is Tempera Paint?

Tempera paint aka “poster paint” is basically water-based paint which is combined using a chemical-based medium, and it’s totally allergen-free as well as non-poisonous. 

When the name Tempera paint comes, it indicates an inexpensive and non-toxic option of paint that is mainly designed for kids and vastly used by kids in schools for various art projects, in fact, the generic name of Tempera paint refers to water-based cheap paint that’s used by mainly kids.

The main ingredients that are used for making Tempera paints are a mixture of non-toxic pigments, water, cellulose, starch, calcium carbonate, and preservative. Tempera paint is inexpensive because it uses starch instead of Gum Arabic. 

Besides, as far as it’s concerned about toxicity and allergens, all the famous Tempera paint manufacturers hold the AP Certification Seal that indicates non-toxic and harmless ingredients.

Also, the ingredients in Tempera paint don’t have any egg, peanuts, soy, gluten, latex, or casein, thus, Tempera paint is allergen-free as well. 

Another thing is, Tempera paint is different from the “egg Tempera” paint. 

Does Tempera Paint Dry Fast?

Tempera paint dries faster because it’s a water-based paint and water-based paints are known to be dried the fastest among all types of paint. 

The layers of Tempera paint are relatively less thick than acrylic and oil paint, and the water in Tempera paint evaporates comparatively quickly under normal weather conditions than the acrylic, latex, and oil paint, thereby, Tempera paint dries fast after applying to any surface.

However, depending on the surface type Tempera paint may take different drying time but it always will be less than the drying time of oil, acrylic, and latex paint. 

5 Factors That Affect The Tempera Dry Time

Below the top 5 factors have been listed and explained precisely to let you know about the factors. 

The Surrounding Temperature:

The surrounding temperature affects the drying time of the Tempera paint the most because Tempera paint is water-based paint, so naturally, Tempera paint dries faster when it is exposed to a warm temperature with a dry and warm wind.

But if the temperature is cold or the paint isn’t exposed to enough warm temperature with dry and warm air, it may take longer to get dried up. 

Humidity Level: 

It’s well known that a low humidity level makes the water in water-based paints evaporate quickly, thus, a low humidity level makes Tempera paint dry faster too.

However, if the humidity in the air is high such as on a rainy day, the water in Tempera paint won’t dry quickly, and the drying time will get prolonged. 

Air Circulation:

Proper air circulation is another major factor determining how fast or slow Tempera paint will dry, especially when working on an indoor project with Tempera paint. 

When there’s enough air circulation in the surrounding environment, the water molecules easily get evaporated and the paint dries up faster. But if the air circulation is poorly happening, Tempera paint will take much time to dry.

The Density of Tempera Paint:

The density of the Tempera paint is a factor that actually affects the drying time of Tempera paint.

If you have applied a thick layer of Tempera paint, the paint is going to take a prolonged period to dry. On the contrary, thin layers of Tempera paint on a project get dried up quickly. 

Absorbency of the Surface: 

The absorbency of the surface where you have applied Tempera paint has a direct effect on the drying time of Tempera paint because it dries fast on an absorbent surface than on a solid surface.

For instance, Tempera paint is going to get dried up faster on a piece of art paper than on a glass surface because papers are more absorbent than glass.

What Temperature Does Tempera Paint Dry Faster? 

Tempera paint will dry faster in any temperature starting from 50 degrees Fahrenheit and above because from 50 degrees Fahrenheit the weather is dry, warm, and has less humidity, thus, water evaporates fastly and Tempera paint dries fast.

Also, pay attention to the humidity level along with temperature and remember that there only should be about 50% humidity in the weather because increased humidity in the air makes Tempera paint dry slowly. 

And pay special attention to the fact that the temperature should not be any less than 50 degrees Fahrenheit during working with Tempera paint and during the drying time. 

How Do You Make Tempera Paint Dry Faster?

Sometimes tempera paint can take more time than usual to dry or you can be impatient to wait for the paint to dry, therefore, a few tips have been listed here that can help you make the paint dry faster in such situations. 

Use Less Water: 

As Tempera paint is water-based paint, while painting or applying it on any project you must mix less water or use less water in your paintbrush so that the paint doesn’t become too watery and the surface takes less time to absorb the paint.

It will make Tempera paint dry fast. 

Use Hairdryer: 

A hairdryer is considered quite a useful tool when it comes to drying Tempera paint fast. All you have to do is set the hairdryer on medium heat first, then point it at the Tempera paint, and gently move the hairdryer.

The warm heat will make the water evaporate and Tempera paint will get dried up fast. But don’t bring your hairdryer too close to the Tempera paint because it can spread the paint everywhere. 

Make Arrangements For Proper Air Circulation:

When the air circulation in a room is proper, Tempera paint dries fast.

Thus, while using Tempera paint inside, make sure that the room’s window is wide open and should have a ceiling fan or a stand fan at least so that air circulates in a better way and makes  Tempera paint dry fast.

Apply Thin Coats: 

Regardless of the surface. Apply thin coats of Tempera paint instead of thick coats because thin coats of paint dry faster than thick layers. 

Final Thoughts

Each layer of Tempera paint takes just about 5-10 minutes to get dried if the weather condition is warm, dry, and has less humidity. Also, factors like proper air circulation, the thickness of the Tempera paint, and the absorbency strength of a surface determine Tempera paint’s drying time.