Print Base Kit

Use this with Procion type Fiber Reactive powder dyes or Vinyl Sulphone liquid Fiber Reactive dyes to thicken them for printing, stenciling, or painting.. Contains premeasured amounts of Water Softner, Urea, Ludigol and Sodium Alginate Thickener. Comes in two sizes with directions on the jar. The Alginate Thickener comes in a separate packet as some like it thinner and some like it thicker. Once mixed, the basic Print Base (without the Alginate) can be kept indefinitely at room temperature. After adding the Alginate thickener, it must be refrigerated and can last a month or more if it doesn't get contaminated with mold or bacteria. (Clearly label it so your loved ones won't decide it's a soup base!)

If you want to make less than a quart or gallon with these pre-measured kits, simply measure the loose powder and take half or a quarter and use half or a quarter as much water, then thicken "to taste" like you normally would. Always add the thickener to the liquid while stirring briskly to avoid lumps, and remember that it will continue to thicken for a couple of hours. Add your dye to the thickened Print Base the same way, adding the dye gradually while stirring.

Once you've made up your print base and added your dye powder, you can follow the directions on our "Cold Batch Method" page to work with the base. To summarize, you will be adding soda ash to the thickened dye and then allowing the printed fabric to "batch" for 6-24 hours.