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 Think
of marbling as a printing process. Paints or inks are suspended
on the surface of a prepared solution of size. Size, is a
jelly-like mixture of a thickener such as Manutex
RS, Methyl Cellulose (CMC
powder) or Deka
Marble Medium and water.
The solution is poured into a shallow tray and the colours
are dripped onto the surface. As the colours sit on the surface
of the size, they can be dragged around and manipulated into
patterns with a stick or comb or with the addition of further
colours with a dropper.
Fabric or paper, treated with alum
(see below) is then carefully lowered onto the surface of
the size, allowing the paints to make contact with the material.
The fabric or paper is then lifted off, rinsed with water
and allowed to dry.
Marbling On Fabric
When you choose fabric, always check the surface texture.
Fabrics, natural or synthetics, with a smooth surface and
tight weave provide the best prints. If you plan to use marbled
fabric in quilts, choose tightly woven cotton with a high
thread count, such as Prima
cotton for image-transfer.
If you plan to use your marbled fabric in garments, choose
any tightly woven fabric
with a smooth surface. Satin, polyester, polyester blends,
chintz, percale, batiste, rayon, and particularly silk which
provides outstanding results.
For subtle prints, choose organza, organdie, and chiffon,
or tightly woven gauze fabrics.
Avoid fabrics with uneven surface texture or a coarse, loose
weave. Silk noil, silk douppioni, silk shantung, linen, and
napped fabrics, such as velveteen and corduroy, marble poorly.
To get started, you may want to go through your collection
and cut an 20 x 20cm square from each fabric. Be sure to include
your experiments in a notebook.
Because you print on the surface of the material, rather
than trying to colour the fibres, marbling is also a great
technique for patterning items such as ribbon, canvas bags
and trainers, silk scarves, T-shirts, handkerchiefs, socks,
satin balls for Christmas trees, wood and paper boxes, wooden
buttons and picture frames. Most items with a slick surface
will work.
The fabric should be pre-treated with Alum to help make a
permanent bond with the surface fibres and paint:
- Fill a bucket with 5 litres of warm water and add approx.
3 tablespoons of alum to each litre of water. Stir thoroughly
till the alum is dissolved.
- Place the fabric in the alum bath. The fabric should move
freely and soak for 15 to 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Thinner fabrics need less time than thicker ones.
- Remove the fabric from the bucket, gently squeezing the
excess solution into the bucket.
- Hang the fabric on a line to drip-dry carefully so that
no part touches itself (where fabric touches itself, the
alum is concentrated and can cause a weak or pale print).
Do not use a clothes dryer.
- After the fabric has dried, use a dry iron to remove wrinkles.
Be careful; steam and water drops will remove alum and create
a blotchy print!
Marbling On Paper
 The
marbling process is also very effective on paper. The marbled
paper can be used to good effect to cover books, wrap presents
and decorate cards, lampshades and photo frames.
- To prepare paper with Alum; either paint the surface of
the paper with a large brush or apply with a spray bottle.
Try to ensure the paper is covered evenly and lay it flat
to dry.
How to Marble
- Use 2 heaped teaspoons of Manutex RS to 1 litre of water
or Deka Marble Medium.
- Stir the mixture well and leave to stand for 2 hours until
it has thickened into a gel. The solution will keep for
up to 24 hours.
- Pour into a flat, plastic container so that it is 2-3cms
deep.
- Drop colours onto the surface where they will begin to
spread. Move the paint around with either a comb or a stick
until you are happy with the pattern.
- Carefully lay the paper or fabric on the coloured surface
and leave it to rest for 10 seconds.
- Lift off, and lay flat to dry. To fix the paints onto
fabric, dry flat and iron on the reverse with a hot iron
for 3 minutes.
- To extend the colour range, Jacquard
Lumiere and Neopaque
paints can also be used for marbling, as can any acrylic
based colour.
We offer Deka
Marble which is an intermixable water based paint
giving brilliant intense colours and formulated specifically
for the marbling process. The paint is light fast and wash
fast up 60°C and suitable for use on all natural fabrics,
especially cotton, silk, satin and paper. Test on synthetic
and blended fabrics before your main project. Although alum
will help with the bond, it is not necessary to treat your
fabric when using this product. The acrylic base will
adhere the paint to the surface once the marbled fabric is
ironed on the reverse.
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