procion dyes; print workshop notes.

 Dyeing Cotton or Linen with Procion H-E Dyes   

Procion is a manufactures name for a group of dyes known generically as reactive dyes. The dyes react with the fibre and the steaming process to produce vibrant fast colour on natural fabric and fibre.

When dyeing cotton or linen which have a very dense construction or are tightly woven the hot dyeing (80) Procion H-E dyes are recommended in preference to the cold dyeing (20-40) Procion MX dyes used more widely where there are no facilities for heating water. The hot dyeing temperature (80) makes dense tightly woven fabrics much more supple and it becomes easier for the dye to be applied evenly. Fabrics which may shrink should obviously be dyed using the cold dyes

Before starting the fabric should be scoured and weighed dry.

When you are dyeing cotton or linen with Procion there are two additions to the dye bath to assist the dyeing.

1) Common Salt: This allows the dye to move onto the fabric, without this the dye would remain in the dye bath.
2) Soda Ash: This fixes the dye to the fabric

Recipe

Weigh the dry fabric to calculate the ingredients for your dye bath

100grm of fabric should be dyed in 2-3 lts of water

To achieve a medium shade of colour for 100grm of fabric you will need:

1.0 -1.5grms of Procion H-E dye,
60grms of salt
8grms of Soda Ash

Safety precaution: Use the extractor unit for measuring and mixing powdered dyed. Use rubber gloves to protect skin.

Method

Measure out 2 litres of cold water in a suitable container (avoid iron, copper, or aluminum containers, these can affect the shade of the dye)

Weigh out salt add to pan and stir until dissolved

Weigh the  Procion H-E dye in the vacuum unit and dissolve in a little warm water. When fully dissolved add to the water and stir well

Add the scoured damp fabric and stir gently. Gradually raise the temperature to 80 over 15-20 mins

Once at 80 continue dyeing for 30 minutes by which time the dye will have taken or salted to the fabric

Weigh out the soda ash and dissolve in a cup of hot water and add to dye bath taking care it does not come into direct contact with the fabric

Maintain the temperature of the bath for a further 30 minutes to allow the dye to fix to the fabric or yarn.

Remove the fabric from the dye and rinse until the water runs clear, you can then wash in the washing machine