Download Heat Transfer Printing using Disperse Dyes and Paints

Heat Transfer Printing using Disperse Dyes and Paints
Disperse dyes can be used to great effect in transfer prints. You can
create multiple prints onto synthetic fabrics such as polyester, nylon and
mixtures of wool and cotton with more than 60% synthetic fibre content.
The disperse dye colours will appear dull, only giving the full colour once
they have been activated by heat.
Testing the colours in advance will give a good indication of the final
result. The image here shows the results of a transfer on cotton fabric
(left) and polyester fabric (right). Sampling will also give you an
opportunity to check the iron setting and transfer time.
Sketch your design (in reverse) on a non-absorbent paper.
Use either heat transfer paints made from the disperse dyes or ready
mixed Fibrecrafts Iron-On Transfer Paints or Deka Iron-On Transfer
Paints.
Transfer Paint from Disperse Dye, Thin Consistency:
Use 10-100gm disperse dye (depending on depth of colour required)
and sprinkle into 500ml of tepid water.
Stir vigorously and leave to stand for 5 minutes.
Transfer Paint from Disperse Dye: Thick Consistency (for better line
definition):
Slowly add 50gm Indalca PA3R powder to 500ml of cold water and stir
vigorously.
Follow instructions for thin consistency and add solution to indalca
stock.
Method for printing with Transfer Paints:
Brush, print, stencil or spray the design onto smooth, non-absorbent
paper and allow to dry. (The image to the right was created by
Linda Chapman using dried wild flowers as her stencil.)
Place the design with the paint side against the fabric, using several
layers of newspaper as an underlay and a layer of clean paper on
top to avoid ink transfer. Set iron between wool and cotton, (cotton
setting for a cotton/synthetic mix) and iron for 1-2 minutes. Keep
the iron still, since movement can blur the image.
The transfer is complete when the paper begins to yellow. For larger
patterns, set one area at a time, with a cooling time between
transfers.
Transfers can be used more than once, but each subsequent application
will give a duller image with some colour change. Colours are
intermixable, non-toxic, water based and wash fast, with a soft and
flexible handle.
Safety
It is clear that there are sensible precautions to be taken when handling
dyes and chemicals, particularly as powders:
Avoid inhaling dusts, they can produce an asthma type reaction. People
with known respiratory problems should not handle synthetic dyes,
and particularly the fibre reactive dyes, in powder form. A dust
mask should be worn when working with the powders or exposed to
an aerosol from spraying dye solutions made up in water.
Avoid splashing solutions into the eyes, swallowing the materials or
prolonged skin contact. A simple 'non-contact' approach (most
people use gloves to avoid dyeing themselves) plus normal, good,
hygiene is sufficient precautions for the occasional user
Store in clearly labelled containers well away from children, pets and
foodstuffs. Treat dye powders and solutions with the same caution
as domestic poisons (eg strong cleaners, bleaches or medicines)
Dispose of spent solutions containing residues of the dyes responsibly.
Dilute and pour onto waste land or into the sewage system. They have no
known effect on the environment when used in the quantities
recommended in the literature