Which extender base

[Hank Stamper]

I just spoke with a guy at a local art supply store about what we can use to make the paint for the background of our calendar project more translucent. He said we shouldn't use the Speedball Transparent Extender Base with our Speedball Silk Screen Fabric Paint because the binder might not be compatible. (We have been printing shirts to this point and currenly only have Speedball fabric paints.)

So, I told the guy that I'd be getting some Speedball ink (for paper, posters) for this project and I'd get the extender (which is compatible). Guy then said we should not get either product because both are "water soluble"--when the paint dries, it can rub off just with moisture from fingers; not good for calendars. He said what we need to use is a product by Golden called Silkscreen Medium. This is added to acrylic paint (which is "water born," not water soluble). I assume it could be used with acrylic artist paint and even house paint. He warned, though, that when using it, the "open" time is less and the screens have to be washed out asap because the paint will get stuck in the screen fabric.

So I am confused. I want make some of the colours on the calendar pages translucent. I'd prefer to use Speedball inks since they are available and I think they'd be more forgiving than house paint--longer open time. I don't want to use inks that will smear when touched. Any remarks and advice on this would be much appreciated.

Thanks, Hank

[Andymac]

speedball acrylic, it's a different ink line than fabric or water soluble. the guy doesn't know his speedball products very well. back away slowly.

and yeah, clean your screens after use...

there are a number of posts on this subject, (clear base, extender, soluble vs. acrylic, etc.) the water soluble stuff is for kindergarden class

[steve w]

tell him to print his own damn posters if he knows so much, which he doesn't.
neither Speedball Fabric nor Acrylic are water-soluble.
and the extender base works fine with both.

[steve w]

Oh. It's the guy at the art store. NEVER listen to those idiots.

[Iron Canvas Studios]

yeah water based and water soluble are two completely different things.

[Andymac]

Both thin with water....actually all including the fabric ink. So they are all 'waterbased' inks.

And they are all water soluble when in liquid form.

But when they dry, the acrylic and the fabric ink develop a resistance to water - the fabric ink needs the addition of high heat to catalyse it, make it bond and cross link and be resistant to washing.

But water soluble ink remains rewettable. It will return to liquid form with the addition of water. Dripping puddles of art.

So, that kind of sucks for screenprinting anything that could get some water on it. Like a poster.

I guess if you were too stupid to clean your screen and your tools after screenprinting, this would be a great thing.

[Hank Stamper]

Okay, I get it now. Many thanks. You folks are generous and knowledgeable. Hank