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The traditional method of printing or painting with fiber reactive dye is to add baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) to a thickener paste. This method can be used for screen printing, hand-painting, warp-painting, airbrush, stamping and all other direct application techniques. It is important to prepare the fiber by washing to remove the sizing.
When screen printing with dye thickened with sodium alginate, the print base should be as thin as the image will allow. Dye printed in too thick a base will halo from the image before the fabric is cured or will accumulate in the corners, altering the image. Sodium Alginate SH is a high viscosity, low solids type of alginate thickener used primarily for cotton and other cellulosics. It may also be used for silk when fine line definition is not required. Sodium Alginate F is a low viscosity, high solids alginate used for silks and synthetics when fine line definition is desired. Use about 2 1/2 times more of the F to equal the viscosity of SH.
Materials:
Mix at least 2 hours before actual use.
Fiber soaked in its chemical assistants readily accepts the Procion® MX dye. When printed or painted on fibers the dye bonds with the fiber as in immersion dyeing. After the dye reaction has been set and the printing medium is removed through washing the fiber retains its resilience and hand.
The quantity of dye added to the printing paste will determine the intensity of the printed or painted color. 1/2 teaspoon to 2 teaspoons of powdered dye to 1/2 cup thickener is the standard range, with 1 teaspoon being the medium to dark shade. Hand painting paste is made by thinning printing paste with a urea water solution. Prepare the fabric by washing to remove sizing. Synthrapol or a detergent without whiteners and brighteners should be used. Any traces of detergent additives can inhibit the dye reaction. Once the fabric is washed, it can move directly into presoak without drying.
The Procion MX fiber reactive dye will react with the fiber as long as they remain damp.
You can steam your fabric in a professional fabric steamer. Or you can make your own steamer out of the materials listed below. Keep in mind that the quantity of fabric may dictate which type of method and steamer to use.
Materials:


TJ inks are art quality and permanent on most surfaces.

"Window Box"
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Pure Tee Juice sunshine! Framed and ready to hang. You can buy it at TeeJuice.com
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Synthrapol is a mild soap specifically made for removing excess dye so that dried articles may be washed with other laundry.
Sodium Alginate SH is the most desirable dye thickener when dyeing cotton and other cellulose fibers.
Calgon is a water softener which neutralizes metallic ions in tap water, allowing for a deeper, more even dying.
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On our discussion forums we quickly answer all questions?
Have a look, browse around, and if you have a question please don't hesitate to ask!Have questions about Jacquard dyes?
On our discussion forums we quickly answer all questions.
Have a look, browse around, and if you have a question please don't hesitate to ask!
Have questions about Jacquard dyes?
On our discussion forums we quickly answer all questions.
Have a look, browse around, and if you have a question please don't hesitate to ask!
Have questions about Jacquard dyes?
On our discussion forums we quickly answer all questions.
Have a look, browse around, and if you have a question please don't hesitate to ask!
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