Auxiliaries for Botanical Printing

Assists and modifiers: Use Soda Ash, an alkaline, to improve the effectiveness of mordants on cellulose fibre (cotton and linen) and act as a colour modifier, Citric Acid (or White Vinegar) to alter the pH in water and potentially colour results, and Cream of Tartar, which when used with Alum, can increase the potency of mordants and colour absorption on protein fibre such as wool and silk. Synthrapol is used to scour materials and work as a wetting agent (a surfactant). It removes oils effortlessly and can lower the surface tension between the fibres and the leaf colourant.