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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 (see
silk paints and dyes).
 The
most cost effective however, and with more opportunities
to develop your own palette, is to mix your own. Both
the
Fibrecrafts
Acid dyes and
Jacquard
Acid dyes can be used for this method:
- Make an 8% stock solution by adding 250ml of very
hot water to 20gm of Acid dye powder. Stir until dissolved,
bearing in mind that some colours are more readily
dissolved than others.
- The final concentration of dye solution for painting
should be between 2-8% of the weight of dye to the
weight of water. 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 1% steps by adding 11ml of water
to 100ml 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.
 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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