Fabric Applications

02 Sep.,2024

 

Fabric Applications

GOLDEN ACRYLICS ON FABRIC

Applications. Use the information below to select the proper paint system for your desired application method.

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APPLICATION DESCRIPTION

The four lines of GOLDEN Acrylics of interest to fabric artists include: High Flow, Fluid Acrylics, Heavy Body, and Matte Colors. The main difference between each of these lines of acrylic colors is viscosity (thickness) or consistency. High Flow Acrylic Colors are the thinnest and are ready to spray. Fluid Colors are similar in consistency to a heavy cream. Heavy Body and Matte Acrylics are thick, with a buttery consistency. These various acrylic paint lines, each using the same lightfast pigments, allow the artist to combine the effects of spraying, staining, brushing and other application techniques.

TECHNIQUES FOR FABRIC PAINTING

Hand Brushing

GOLDEN Heavy Body (including Iridescent and Interference Colors), Matte, Fluorescent, and Fluid Acrylics are appropriate for hand brushing techniques and heat-setting is not required. To provide a softer hand1, which also prevents cracking in thicker passages, blend 1:1 with GAC 900 or GOLDEN Silk-screen Fabric Gel (for thicker paint applications). The GAC 900 and the Silk-screen Fabric Gel contain a special polymer additive that is designed to impart a softer hand, while offering excellent launderability 2 when properly heat-set (see directions below)

Airbrushing/Spraying

For best results, blend GOLDEN Fluid Acrylics with GOLDEN Airbrush Medium. Start with a 1:1 mixing ratio, and increase amount of GOLDEN Airbrush Medium as desired to increase sprayability and/or transparency. When artwork is complete, spray a thin coat of GAC 900 for least color loss. Airbrush Medium can also be substituted with GAC 900 if a softer hand is desired (follow heat-set directions below). GAC 900 is thin enough to help with making the Fluid Acrylics sprayable much like the Airbrush Medium. For durability and washability in a spray application, these are the recommended systems, and will perform significantly better than GOLDEN High Flow Acrylics alone.

GOLDEN Fluids blended with GOLDEN Airbrush Medium do not require heat-setting for launderability, yet equal the performance of fabric paints that do. If an artist already possesses Fluid Acrylics for canvas painting, it is not necessary to purchase fabric paints in order to do fabric painting; they just need to get GAC 900. Allow for garments to cure for at least 4 days prior to washing (Note: heat-setting will speed the curing time required and should increase the launderability).

GOLDEN Heavy Body, Matte, Iridescent, Interference and Fluorescent Colors can also be sprayed onto fabric; however, their thicker viscosities warrant more dilution with GOLDEN Airbrush Medium which yields weak, transparent coverage.

Although not recommended for fabric use, GOLDEN High Flow Acrylics may be blended 1:1 or more with the GAC900 to aid in washfastness (properly heat-set according to directions listed below). This blend, although better than GOLDEN High Flow Acrylics alone, is still not equal to the launderability performance of the Fluid Acrylics/Airbrush Medium mixture.

Areas containing soft spray applications such as gradated areas, shading, and any skylines should be sprayed with a light coat of GAC 900 to increase launderability.

Tie-Dye/Staining

The viscosity of GOLDEN High Flow Acrylics is ideal for tie-dye and staining applications. Pre-wetting the fabric with water and using the GOLDEN High Flow Acrylics in place of fiber-reactive dyes creates brilliant patterns. Adding GOLDEN Acrylic Flow Release can also help the paint penetrate into the fabric (follow directions on label). To increase the launderability, blend the GOLDEN High Flow Acrylics 1:1 with GAC 900. After applying the paint to the fabric, wait for it to be completely dry before heat-setting or washing. This will maximize the amount of color that "sets" 3 into the fabric. If GAC900 is blended with the acrylic paints, follow the directions for heat-setting below. GOLDEN Fluid Acrylics may also be used for this technique, but will require the addition of water to thin to the proper viscosity, along with the GAC900 to increase the launderability.

Silk-Screening

GOLDEN Heavy Body, Matte, Fluorescent, or Fluid Colors blended 1:1 with GAC900 or Silk-Screen Fabric Gel produce silk-screen inks with excellent durability on fabric. The mixture used is dependent on two factors: the material to be printed and personal preference of paint consistency. (Refer to GOLDEN Information Sheet on the Silk-Screen Fabric Gel for the most complete information on this technique).

If screening onto heavy, cotton material, a thinner mixture of Fluid Colors and GAC900 may be desired, as its thin consistency helps to penetrate into material. If printing on a polyester or synthetic material, a pastier mixture of Heavy Body Acrylics and Silk-Screen Fabric Gel will work better due to a lower tendency of the ink to "bleed" 4 into the material. Some experimentation is needed to find the system that is best suited for your work.

Mixtures (1:1) from Thickest Consistency to Thinnest
  • Heavy Body or Matte Acrylics/Silk-Screen Fabric Gel
  • Heavy Body or Matte Acrylics/GAC900
  • Fluid Acrylics/Silk-Screen Fabric Gel
  • Fluid Acrylics/GAC900&#;
  • High Flow Acrylics/GAC900

Both GAC900 and Silk-Screen Fabric Gel impart softness of hand, while offering excellent launderability. Proper heat-setting is required for both products (see below for heat-setting instructions).

RECOMMENDATIONS

Proper product selection, heat-setting, and care ensure long garment life.

Application of Large Areas or Long Lines

Filling in large areas with thick paint will produce a very stiff, uncomfortable garment. Blend color with GAC 900/Silk-Screen Fabric Gel to reduce the stiffness of the acrylic paint. If painting in a thick manner, short strokes of paint will hold better than long lines. The longer the line, the greater the chance of cracking when washed. A washing machine"s agitator may stretch the garment beyond its limit and thus cause cracking.

Material Considerations

Test materials thoroughly before large production runs or when using a unique fabric.
The looser the weave of the fabric (cotton/poly blends), the better the penetration and hold the paint will have on the material.
Thicker fabrics (sweatshirt-type weaves) should be slightly stretched with a backer-board to allow for better penetration of the paint into the material.
To increase the adhesion onto any fabric a very light misting of water (e.g.-with a plant-mister) will increase the penetration into the material. Care should be taken with this technique, as over applying the water could result in bleeding of the color.

Heat-setting

The heat-setting process will release low levels of formaldehyde; therefore adequate ventilation is recommended when heat setting.

Fabrics treated with GAC 900/Silk-Screen Fabric Gel-modified paints must be heat set if maximum launderability is necessary. Products conform to ASTM D. All GOLDEN products should be used in accordance with safe handling practices. Read product labels prior to use. The polymer must first air dry to the touch to form the initial bond with the fabric, followed by one of the heat-set methods listed below:

  • Heat Press according to press manufacturers' recommendations.
  • Iron for 3-5 minutes with a medium-hot iron on the reverse side (side opposite of the application). On delicate fabrics where lower heat levels must be used, a longer ironing time will be necessary.
  • Professional Oven Cure for 2-3 minutes at 300F; 4 minutes at 250F.
  • Clothes dryer: Commercial: medium-high temperature for 20-40 minutes. Household: high temperature for 40-50 minutes.
Washing and Drying
  • Let paint dry thoroughly (at least 4 days) before washing.
  • Hand-washing will dramatically increase garment life.
  • Always turn garment inside-out for laundering.
  • Avoid hot water washing. This will tend to soften and loosen acrylic paint from the garment.
  • Cold water works best for automatic washing of the painted garment.
  • Heat-set when appropriate.
  • Set washer to gentle cycle.
  • Drip-drying instead of using the clothes dryer will increase the life of the garment.

SUMMARY

GOLDEN Artist Colors Acrylics are professional artist paints.

If properly prepared and cared for, GOLDEN Artist Colors Acrylics will produce a fabric artwork with good durability. GOLDEN Artist Colors Acrylics are produced with 100% Acrylic Polymer Emulsion. This produces a film with excellent flexibility, and chemical, water, and ultraviolet resistance. The milky emulsion dries transparent, allowing pigments to show their full color. All pigments in GOLDEN Acrylics are chosen for the greatest clarity and permanency within each chemical class. GOLDEN Acrylics dry quickly and may be painted over immediately yet complete drying/curing will take longer. Avoid freezing. Minimum film formation temperature is 48oF/9oC.

To thin, use water or GOLDEN Mediums. For slower drying, use GOLDEN Retarder. Do not mix with oils. Paint on any non-oily surface. Non-absorbent surfaces should be abraded for increased adhesion. Clean tools with soap and water. Keep tools wet during use.

DEFINITIONS

1Soft Hand - decrease in the hardness of the paint when dry, leaving a comfortable and breathable feel to the fabric.
2 Launderability - the ability for the fabric to be washed.
3Sets - after washing, it is the remaining color left in the fabric.
4Bleed - a halo effect around the brushstroke.

Quick Reference Chart for Choosing GOLDEN Acrylic Paints for Fabric Use.
GOLDEN Acrylics to use for Fabric Hand Brushing Airbrushing or Spraying Tye-Dyeing of Staining Silk-Screening High Flow Acrylics     */+   Fluid Acrylics * + * * Iridescent Acrylics * * * * Interference Acrylics * * * * Heavy Body Acrylics + *   + Fluorescent Acrylics * * * * Matte Acrylics * *   * * Can be used for this technique
+ Best Recommendation for particular technique
Quick Reference Chart for Choosing Which GOLDEN Gel/Medium to Blend with GOLDEN Acrylics for Fabric Use.
GOLDEN Mediums to use for Fabric Hand Brushing Airbrushing or Spraying Tye-Dyeing of Staining Silk-Screening Airbrush Medium   */+     GAC 900 + * + * Silk-Screen Fabric Gel *     + Acrylic Flow Release     */+   * Can be used for this technique
+ Best Recommendation for particular technique

Disclaimer

The above information is based on research and testing done by Golden Artist Colors, Inc., and is provided as a basis for understanding the potential uses of the products mentioned. Due to the numerous variables in methods, materials and conditions of producing art, Golden Artist Colors, Inc. cannot be sure the product will be right for you. Therefore, we urge product users to test each application to ensure all individual project requirements are met. While we believe the above information is accurate, WE MAKE NO EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, and we shall in no event be liable for any damages (indirect, consequential, or otherwise) that may occur as a result of a product application.

Painting On Fabric With Acrylic Paint: Is It Even Possible?

If you want to paint on fabric with acrylic paint you may already have in your are supplies, I have good news! You can definitely put your existing supply acrylic artist paints to good use on fabrics. Not so fast, there are just a few things to know before you get started.

While painting on your fabric with acrylic paint is certainly doable, the results may not be as great as you were hoping. There is a simple solution however, to ensure you get results as good as you would if you were to fabric paint. After all, fabric paint is just a special blend of acrylic paint.

All you need to do is turn that existing stash of acrylics into fabric paint with little bit of Liquitex Fabric Medium or GAC 900 fabric medium. This will give you results much like fabric paint and I&#;ll explain more on that in a bit. If you are set on using acrylics on fabric without adding fabric medium read on to find out what you can expect.

 

What Is Fabric Medium? Turn Acrylics Into Fabric Paint


Acrylic fabric medium is a liquid acrylic polymer emulsion that you can mix with acrylic artist paints which offers a very soft feel and the stability to be laundered without damaging the designs. Additionally, when added to acrylic paint, fabric medium improves the work-ability and flow of the paint when applying to fabric.

Acrylic fabric medium iswithout damaging the designs. Additionally,

It can also control the bleeding of colors when they are thinned with water. Some other very useful attributes of fabric medium is the ability to achieve watercolor-like effects on fabric and blending directly on the fabric itself giving the artist more versatility.

Fabric medium will also allow artists to take advantage of an expanded color palette and many different paint techniques beyond paint and brush. I know some artist that add fabric medium to the paints and thinned with a bit of water so they can airbrush fabrics. Since textile paints are somewhat limited in color options you can use the medium to utilize an unlimited number of color recipes you may have for artist acrylics.

Acrylic with Medium vs Acrylic Paint on Fabric

One of the most important effects of fabric medium on acrylic paint is to allow the dried paint to maintain a certain level of flexibility and elasticity. Without medium mixed into the acrylic paint, the paint will typically quite stiff and have a bit of a rough texture depending on the fabrics texture. The medium also makes the dried and set paint a bit more durable since it can flex with the fabric, resisting cracking and peeling.

The company is the world’s best Acrylic Polymer Emulsion for Cotton Fabrics supplier. We are your one-stop shop for all needs. Our staff are highly-specialized and will help you find the product you need.

When deciding whether or not you should go the extra step in acquiring fabric medium just consider the project and whether or not it requires the added durability or workability. Will the fabric you are painting be worn as clothing, or do you intend to paint a piece of fabric that will experience a good bit of wear like furniture?

Acrylic paint without medium is an excellent option for decorative tapestry projects since these pieces are usually on display and not subject to the same wear and tear of clothing and furniture. Really any fabric or tapestry art that you intend on being more of display art than functional items are great candidates for acrylic without medium.

 

Acrylic Paint on Fabric Without Medium

Painting on fabric with acrylic paint is absolutely possible and any artist knows just how well acrylic adheres to fabric. This is why we usually paint with an apron or utilize means of clothing protection as to not ruin our clothes.

I must reiterate that it is always best to mix your acrylic paint in with a medium but if you have neither the means or the convenience to do so there are a few tips that make painting fabric with acrylics a little easier.

Paint Tips for Acrylic on Fabric?

Below are a few tips to give you better results for your fabric painting projects if you are using acrylic paint without a medium. These tips will improve adhesion, workability, and end result of the project.

  1. Use a mild abrasive like sandpaper to very lightly scuff the fabric to improve the adhesion of the paint.
  2. Lightly wet the fabric evenly with a spray bottle for a wet to wet application of the paint providing a more even application.
  3. Thin the paint with a little bit of water before applying. This will also improve application with a more even application.

How Do I Set Acrylic Paint On Fabric?

Heat setting paint after it has been applied to fabric is usually required but if you aren&#;t using a fabric medium mixed with your acrylic paint, or a textile paint made specifically for fabric then YOU DO NOT NEED TO HEAT-SET IT. There is no benefit to doing so on regular acrylic artist paint.

 
Now that you have a better understanding of using acrylic paint on fabric, use proper care and extend the life of your newly created art.

 

Post Paint Fabric Care

Caring for your painted fabric projects is pretty easy. Acrylic paint without a medium is not as durable to laundering so clean your fabric with care. I would recommend spot treating or hand washing the fabric if at all possible and hang drying. If that isn&#;t possible using the gentle cycle on your washing machine and low heat cycle on your clothes dryer should extend the life of your design as well.

That&#;s all there is to it. If you can minimize how much you need to wash the fabric it will minimize how much you will degrade the paint and its adhesion by shrinking and expanding the fibers through a repeated wash.

 

Good Luck!

Now that you have a better understanding of acrylic fabric painting you should be well on your way to creating beautiful designs using the best fabric paints that look great and last a very long time. If you have any questions at all be sure to leave a comment and we will do our best to help out!

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