No Heat Fixative for Screen Printing Inks

[Winged Mermaid]

I was looking into screen printing inks (not for tails but for another mer related project) and came upon a problem- you have to heat set the ink for it to stay. This is obviously a problem, since the fabrics we make tails out of do not take well to heat and are damaged by it. Actually the ink companies tell you specifically to NOT heat set nylon fabrics. Then I came across a no heat fixative for these paints.

"Versatex Fixer
Fix your heat setting problems with Versatex Fixer. No heat setting necessary when you add Versatex Fixer to Speedball, Jacquard (http://www.jacquardproducts.com/jacquard-screen-ink.html) or Versatex Screen Printing Inks.


Directions: Fixer is used to increase wash fastness. Add 1% to 3% Versatex Fixer to your volume of ink or paint. DO NOT ADD MORE THAN 3%. For example: 1 teaspoon per pint. Mix well. Fixer has a potency of approximately 8-12 hours. Fixer will not ruin your paint or ink. Additional Fixer can be added to paint or ink to recharge when potency has expired. After mixing, apply paint or ink to fabric, paper, wood, leather, ceramics, etc and allow to air dry for 4-6 days before washing."



Here you can find reviews on it:
https://www.dharmatrading.com/html/eng/217624-AA.shtml?lnav=paints.html

And here is the cheapest I've found so far:
http://www.usartsupply.com/ItemDetail.aspx?ItemNo=JAC+VFI2000&gclid=COe_0420y7MCFcN_QgodlgYAtA

[Spindrift]

This is good to know! Thank you Iona!

[MerAnthony]

That is very good information Winged thank you.

[Ashton]

It would be interesting to see a screen printed tail. I have screen printed before and the concept doesn't seem to complex to do details on a tail with that technique.

[PearlieMae]

Sounds like it should work fine. As long as you have your fabric planned out, or screened your cut pattern pieces. Speedball inks are good, consistent, and affordable.