Jacquard Solar Fast Dyes, 14 colours
Solar Fast dyes are used to create photograms, continuous tone photographs, shadow prints, and ombrès on fabric and paper. Use also for painting, tie dyeing, and batik, or combine with Solar Fast Thickener for screen printing, stencilling, and stamping. The dyes are completely odourless, non-toxic and safe for children.
Shake well before use and apply Solar Fast to fabric or paper using a brush, sponge or brayer. While still damp, expose the design to sunlight and watch the colour magically appear. Place objects such as feathers, cardboard cut-outs and stencils on the coated substrate to block development during exposure. Any object that casts a shadow will create a pattern. Use a film negative to create permanent photographs on paper or fabric.
Expose your coated fabric or paper to sunlight, as directed on the Solar Fast label, different colours require different exposure times, ranging from 10 to 24 minutes depending on the weather conditions, and up to 1 hour when making prints with Solar Fast Black. Refer to the dye label or check the exposure times chart.
The best time to make Solar Fast prints in the middle of the day, when the sun is directly overhead. Use direct sunlight whenever possible. Prints made later or earlier in the day or on cloudy or overcast days will require longer exposure times. You can almost always make a good print during the day (11am-3pm); it is just a matter of figuring out how much time is required for present conditions. Keep in mind the final result will not be revealed until after you have washed the print.
Solar Fast also develops in the presence of other UV light sources. You may use artificial light to make an exposure, but the time required will depend on the UV output of the bulb. Do a test first to determine the appropriate exposure time.
After exposure, wash out undeveloped dye with Jacquard Solar Fast Wash (or Synthrapol) and hot water, agitating vigorously. Machine washing is recommended for textiles. Colour development is not complete until after washing.
Solar Fast thins and cleans up with water and can be thickened with Solar Fast Thickener for printing and screen printing techniques.
Find out everything you need to know about this exciting dye from our blog post Solar Fast Dyes – catching some rays
