does anyone have any info about the possibility and method of turning natural plant dyes into inks? i'm looking for safe, environmentally-friendly, preferably all-natural additives.
i'm trying to turn dyes i've made from organic plants into inks suitable for screen printing. i know of at least two companies who have entirely organic apparel, from garments to screen printing. of course their products are patented. because i am using plants indigenous to my area, it is not appropriate for me to just send my graphics off to another company to print them with their plant dyes. i know of an artist that uses organic oil paints on organic muslin. but obviously, muslin is much thicker than jersey and thus retains her homemade plant inks better. so far, i've used a bit of cornstarch to thicken my dyes but the results aren't stellar or consistent.
i'm looking for people who are doing similar experiments or at least can shed some light, shoot some theories about the process. i've been doing a lot of research into the ancient techniques of dyeing and inking so perhaps we can swap wisdom.
thanks!
ct
Last edited by HIshirts; April 20th, 2007 at 06:39 AM.
How "natural" do you want? i.e. are you trying to use nothing but plant matter and the like, or are you trying to make the colour that way and that's about it?
Off the top of my head there seem to be three main paths you could take. One is to add your dye to a screenprinting ink base. Simple, should work, but involves using a base. Two is to use urea, soda ash, etc. - same basic principle as the first, but would probably involve less 'outside' substances. Failing that... option three you're pretty much looking at urine, vinegar, etc.
ideally, i'd like to use all plant matter or anything that occurs in nature without the influence of man. i am researching ancient world cultures that are known for their impressive and intricate inked textiles.
but in the meantime, i'm looking for the "next best thing". what type of screen printing base would you suggest? i have used a thickening agent/additive and i more or less liked the results. but i just hate watching chemicals go down the drain. i live in hawai'i so what goes down the drain, goes into the ocean, which goes into my fish and surf shorts. not good.
as for the options of urea, soda ash, and an ammonia-based liquid -- i was under the impression that i could only achieve dyes with those, not inks. i like the dyes that i have -- the colors are great and they're colorfast with alum sulfate (will experiment with natural lime next). my problem is turning the dyes into inks. if i can use the ingredients you suggested for the inking process, would you happen to have a general recipe for that? my chemistry skills are definitely more trial and error than actual fact and science, haha.
any help is appreciated and again, thanks for replying.
colloidal gum or arabic gum is what i have found to be the best option as a carrier for the dye.
i have also been told seaweed is a good thickener for organic dyes. that is what a friend of mine uses when she paints natural dyes on sik ties, unfortunately she just had a kid and i have not been able to talk to her more about it
in the meantime, i'm looking for the "next best thing". what type of screen printing base would you suggest?
I haven't tried doing it, but if I was going to I'd begin with a standard transparent waterbased ink base (extender).
Quote:
Originally Posted by HIshirts
i just hate watching chemicals go down the drain
They need not. Excess ink is scraped out of the screen, everything (screens, ink knives, squeegees) are washed in a tub, water evaporates, sludge can be disposed of appropriately. It's still generating that crap, but it doesn't have to get washed down the drain, it can be disposed of other ways (admittedly I have no idea what chemical waste disposal companies actually do with the stuff they take away - no doubt it's in a landfill somewhere, but in theory that's at least a more controlled disposal).
Quote:
Originally Posted by HIshirts
as for the options of urea, soda ash, and an ammonia-based liquid -- i was under the impression that i could only achieve dyes with those, not inks.
You can mix it with something seaweed based to form a paste. I've only done it once or twice a year ago, so I'm sketchy on the details - sorry. Basically I know that it's possible, but I'd have to try and dig up my notes to find out the details on how.
Solmu - thanks for the tips. I'm interested to know how your experiment with the "seaweed paste" turned out. I'd surely appreciate any notes you have. I'm set to begin my experiments this week! If you want, I'll let you know how they turn out.
making ink from dyes 
Re: making ink from dyes 
