Procion MX Instructions

Brilliant, Colorfast Dye

MX dyes are permanent, colorfast and very washable. You can easily create a palette of brilliant colors ranging from light pastels to deep, vibrant hues.

Versatile and Easy to Use

Perfect for all natural fibers - cotton, rayon, linen, silk*, wool*, paper, reeds & wood. They will not dye synthetics. Use MX Dyes for tie-dye, vat dyeing, batik, airbrush, handpainting, printing, spatter painting and more!

Economical

This concentrated dye, which you add to tap water, gives you the most brilliant color of all dyes. Typically, 1 oz. can dye more than 3 yards of fabric, or about 6 T-shirts.

Safety

MX dyes are considered nontoxic when used properly. Common sense should be used when handling any dye or chemical. Prolonged inhalation of dye powder can cause an allergic reaction in some people, so avoid breathing the powder and wear a dust mask and rubber gloves. Keep out of eyes and mouth and always supervise children carefully. Keep dyes in a closed container in a cool, dry place and they will remain stable for several years.

* For tub dyeing or washing machine dyeing of silk and wool Rupert, Gibbon & Spider also offers Jacquard Acid Dye - for brighter, more predictable color results.

Tie-Dye Method

Soda Soak Tie-Dye Method

1. Fold & tie the fabric.
2. Soak tied fabric in a mixture of I cup soda ash per gallon of water for 5 min. Be sure the soda ash is thoroughly dissolved in the water.
3. In one cup (8oz.) hot water, mix 2 or more tsp. of dye, depending on the color. (for darker colors, use 3 to 4 tsp. - for black, use 6 tsp). Apply dye to fabric with squirt bottle, brush, sponge, etc.
4. Put in plastic bag and let stand for at least 12 hrs., but preferably 24 hrs. for most intense color results. (especially black)
5. While fabric is still tied, rinse out excess dye under running water, untie and wash.

Variations & Helpful Hints

• Dye shirt or fabric a solid color first using Tub Dyeing method, then tie-dye.
• After step 4, untie and re-tie in contrasting pattern.
• After tie-dyeing item, re-tie and use color remover to discharge dye to create a contrasting pattern.
• Sprinkle pure MX Dye powder onto tied and presoaked fabric for intense bursts of color.
• Paint a pattern on with wax to create a batik image, then dye. Remove wax by dry cleaning.

Tub Dyeing

(Cotton, Linen & Rayon)

One lb. dry weight (3-6 sq. yards of fabric or 3 T-shirts).

1. Be sure to wash fabric to remove any dirt, grease or sizing. We suggest using a liquid detergent or Synthrapol.
2. Fill container(such as a 5 gallon plastic bucket)with 3 gallons of hot(105') tap water, add salt and dye in the proportion listed in the quantities chart below. When salt and dye are completely dissolved, add wet fabric and stir for 20 minutes. Stir constantly or at least every 5 minutes.
3. In a separate container, dissolve the soda ash in one quart of hot tap water. When completely dissolved, add to the dyebath in 3 parts at 5 minute intervals while stirring. Do not pour directly on fabric. Continue stirring every 5 minutes for the next 50 minutes, 30 minutes for pastels.
4. Remove from dyebath. Rinse in cold water. Wash in 3 gallons of hot tap water & 1 1/2 tsp liquid detergent or Synthrapol. Rinse & dry as usual.

Dye Quantities per 3 gallons of water:

Generally: Use 1 TBL dye powder for 1 pound of fabric (approx. 3 to 6 sq. yds. or 3 T-shirts). It's important that the dyebath completely cover the fabric. For even, smooth color, the fiber should be able to move freely in the dyebath. However, too much water will dilute the dye and result in lighter color.

Printing or Painting

The traditional method of printing or painting with fiber reactive dye is to add baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) to thickener paste. This method can be used for screen printing, hand painting, warp painting, airbrush, stamping and all other direct application techniques. It is important to prepare the fiber by washing to remove the sizing. (see: Hands on Dyeing, Dye Painting or Polychromatic Screen Printing.)

Procedure

1. Wash, dry and iron the fabric.
2. Prepare dye thickener paste. Add 1/2 teaspoon baking soda to 1/2 cup thickener paste. The baking soda "activates" the dye reaction. Activated paste will remain usable for only 4 hours, then must be replaced with freshly activated paste.
3. Divide the activated paste into several containers. Add dye, 1/2 to 2 teaspoons of dye per 1/2 cup thickener is the standard range of dye to thickener. Proportion the dye in each container in relation to the amount of thickener paste and desired intensity.
4. Print, paint, starnp or airbrush on fabric.
5. Air dry. Fix by any of the following methods:
   • Roll fiber in unprinted newsprint. Bind to make a manageable bundle. Place a cake pan with 1" of water in the bottom in a 285' oven. Place the fabric bundle on a rack above the pan. Steam for 10 minutes.
   • Iron each area of the fabric for 5 minutes with the iron set on "Steam." Work in a well ventilated area. The heat will activate the urea.
   • Dry for 15 to 30 minutes in a dryer at the highest heat setting.
   • Heat set in a steam chamber. (See Hands on Dyeing to make an easy steam chamber.)

Dye Thickener

Mix at least 2 hours before using.

Materials & Equipment:

• Wide mouth quart jar
• 10 tablespoons urea
• Measuring spoons
• 1 teaspoon Calgon
  
• 4 teaspoons sodium alginate
• 1 1/2 cups hot water

Procedure:

1. Mix the calgon and urea together in the jar.
2. Add the hot water.
3. Slowly add the sodium alginate, stirting constantly. Stir until dissolved.
4. Add cool water until the mixture is no longer stiff but is not runny. This should make about 1 quart.

Washing Machine Dyeing

(Garment Dyeing - Cotton, Linen & Rayon)

Materials for 3-5 pounds of fabric (standard top loading washing machine):

• 6-8 cups plain salt (not-iodized)
• Dye: double quantities shown on chart (prev. page)
• (5-7 yards of fabric or 8-10 T-Shirts)
• 2 cups soda ash (3 for darker shades)
• 2 TBL liquid detergent or Synthrapol

Procedure:

1. Wash fabric to remove dirt, grease and sizing with liquid detergent or Synthrapol.
2. Fill washing machine to medium load (approx 6-8 gallons) with hot water. Add salt and dye and agitate for 5 min, until both are dissolved.
3. Place wet fabric in machine and agitate for 20 min. (The wash cycle needs to be extended, without the dye being drained or more water added, by turning machine off & resetting at beginning of wash cycle).
4. In a separate container dissolve soda ash in 1 quart hot water. Gradually add to dyebath in 3 parts at 5 minute intervals, being careful not to pour directly onto fabric.
5. Agitate for 50 minutes (30 minutes for pastels).
6. Let machine drain the dyebath and complete the rinse cycle. To remove any remaining dye, run through a complete wash cycle with hot water and use detergent or Synthrapol.