Jacquard Products FAQ's

Pearl Ex FAQ

I've read that you need to mix Pearl Ex with a medium. What kind of medium can I use?

Pearl Ex is a non-soluble mica pigment. You can add this to just about anything with a binder in it. The medium is the carrier or binder that will hold Pearl Ex to whatever surface you are working on. Although the Pearl Ex is most effective in transparent mediums, there are several mediums you can experiment with. Some mediums would include our Jacquard Flowable Extender and Colorless Extender, artist gel mediums, gum arabic, glue, varnish, polyurethane, polymer clay, printing inks, glass paint, etc.

What is gum arabic and where can I find it?

Gum Arabic is a medium used by watercolor artists. It usually comes in a powder form that you add water to. It can be found at fine art supply stores.

Can I use Pearl Ex in handmade paper?

Pearl Ex would need some sort of binder to adhere it to the paper pulp. Without it, the Pearl Ex will just fall through a deckle. Even if you could get it to adhere to the pulp, the pulp itself would cover it up. Your best bet is to use it in a transparent medium on the surface of the paper after it has been made.

Can I use Pearl Ex with my ceramic glazes? How high of a temperature do they withstand?

Pearl Ex will withstand a temperature up to 600 degrees Fahrenheit. The mica itself will withstand higher temperatures, but the pigments that color it aren't as durable. It is possible that some colors may be able to withstand higher temperatures, but we can't guarantee that they will. You might want to experiment with some.

What are the Interference Colors?

The Pearl Ex Interference Colors are somewhat iridescent. They work particularly well on dark backgrounds and almost disappear on light backgrounds. The color will show up more or less as you see it from different angles.

How can I use Pearl Ex on fabric?

Pearl Ex can be used on fabric but it has to be mixed with a medium suitable for textiles such as our Colorless Extender or Flowable Extender. Try applying the Pearl Ex and Extender mixture to a stamp with a make-up sponge or sponge brush and stamp it onto fabric. You will have to heat set it by ironing on the backside of the fabric after it has dried.

How can I use Pearl Ex with rubber-stamping?

Pearl Ex is very popular with the rubber stampers. Try dusting it over a stamped area when it is still wet, let it dry and then spray with a fixative. You can also mix it with an embossing powder. Mix it with a medium and paint it on for covering a larger area. Also check out our Pearl Ex projects.

What are the safety concerns with Pearl Ex?

As with any fine dust, care should be taken not to inhale the particles. Use in a well-ventilated room. This is standard precautionary advice for most non-toxic powdered substances. Pearl Ex does conform to the ASTM government standard as non-toxic.

Can I use Pearl Ex in soap?

Yes, you can. Many soap makers have had beautiful results with Pearl Ex in their soaps. It especially works well in the clear glycerin soaps.

What is the difference between spray glue and spray adhesive?

Spray glue sprays on wet and dries clear. Spray adhesive will spray on tacky and dry a little cloudy. Elmer's makes a spray glue called "Craft Bond".

Can I use Pearl Ex with dyes?

No, if you add Pearl Ex to dyes it will not hold because there is no medium in the dyes to hold it onto the fabric.

Can Pearl Ex be mixed with oil-based and water-based polyurethane?

Yes, it can.

How can I use Pearl Ex on my walls?

First, paint the walls in the color that you want. Mix the Pearl Ex with a glazing medium sold in most paint stores. Sponge or brush the mixture on. Don't mix them with latex paints as they are opaque and will just cover up the Pearl Ex.