inks and binders; print workshop notes.

INK AND BINDERS

PUFF BINDER

Puff binder produces both raised areas and puckered effects with the application of heat.  Puff binder can be used on its own for neutral colours or mixed with pigment dyes for producing multi-coloured 3D prints.  For optimum effect, heat-set immediately after printing by placing the fabric under the heat press in its open position for few minutes which simultaneously raised and fixes the print.  Alternatively once the print is dry it can be ironed on the underside of the cloth using gentle pressure.

Super blobby puffed effects can be achieved by thickly hand painting the puff binder onto the fabric and heat setting by a hair dryer on its hottest setting.  This will require patience concentrating on one area at a time.  The results are worth the wait as the finished texture is really exciting.  The puffiness can be reduced with the introduction of other binders mixed into the puff binder.  A printing ink with 50% puff binder and 50% normal SF binder will result in a print that resembles sued.

The puff binder can also create puckering effects.   This is achieved by stretching the fabric taut, stretch lycras, velvets and fine organza’s work well.  Screen pint the puff, ensuring the ink sits on the surface of the fabric and will not pass through to the other side of the cloth.  Once the binder is dry heat-fix by the methods noted earlier.  The binder will puff up, pulling the fabric inwards and creating ridges and puckers.

Pearl Binder – Prepared silver pearlised binder, used with standard pigments and metallic powders.  Iron or bake to fix.

Opaque White – For printing onto dark coloured fabrics, can be reduced with standard sf binder.  Also pigments can be added to create pastel shades.  Iron or bake to fix.

Gloss Binder Lacquer – Mixed with the metallic glitter flakes and powders.  The binder dries transparently so only the glitter flakes and powders are visible.

Metallic Binder – Mixed with the metallic glitter flakes and powders. The binder dries transparently so only the glitter flakes and powders are visible.

Metallic and Pearl Powders – mixed at a rate of 10 – 15% with the various binders.  Care is needed to work fast as these powders dry quickly and block the screen.  Pigments can also be added to create coloured metallic shades.  Iron or bake to fix.

Uvisenz – a range of light sensitive coloured pigments giving reversible colour change by light.  When sunlight or UV radiation is applied, the molecular structure of the colourant changes and exhibits colour which is reversible.  It is possible to have a varying range by compounding with various binders, pigments and metallic powders.  Iron or bake to fix.

Retrospective Metallic and White – water based ink for producing highly reflective finishes when the print is exposed to a direct beam of light.  Pigments can be added to give a hint of colour.  Iron or bake to fix.  Care is needed to work fast as this ink dries quickly and blocks the screen.

Variotherm Colours - a range of heat sensitive colour matter containing substances which show thermochromism (change of colour at different temperatures).  At high temperature – low temperature the colour disappears and re-appears.  If the variotherm colours are blended with general pigments, a unique colour changing reaction can be obtained.  They can be added to various bases and/or colours, dependent on the desired effect.  Core at 150C for 4 minutes.