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 Acid
dyes produce bright, intense colours and are ideal for
silk painting (find out more about
silk
painting). The simplest method is to use pre-mixed
liquid silk colours such as Dupont Steam Fix Dyes or
Jacquard Silk Colours, as silk painters can rely on the
consistency of colour results.
The
most cost effective however, and with more opportunities
to develop your own palette, is to mix your own using
Acid Dyes. Both
the Fibrecrafts
Acid dyes and Jacquard
Acid dyes can be used for this method:
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Make an 8% stock solution by adding 25ml of very
hot water to 2gm of Acid dye powder. Stir until dissolved,
bearing in mind that some colours are more readily
dissolved than others.
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The final colour strength is linked
to the concentration of dyestuff, giving a range from
pastel to strong colour. You can dilute the 8% stock
solution in roughly 2% steps by adding 2ml of water
to 25ml of stock. Test at intervals, bearing in mind
that the full colour of the dye will not be apparent
until it has been steam
set.
-
Combine the finished 'paint' solution
with citric acid at a rate of 0.5g to 1 litre of
liquid. It is the acid from the citric acid
which will balance the pH level of the dye and allow
it to fix to the fabric when steam fixed.
Most
colours will remain stable in a solution for long periods
although some will precipitate from the solution when
left standing. Reheating and stirring will help to restore
the solution when it is ready to use. We supply a range
of measuring
and storage options which help with the preparation
of Acid dye solutions and recommend you keep notes to
enable you to repeat colours as closely as possible.
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