Procion H
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Procion H dyes are usually used for silk painting; they require steaming or simmering to fix to cotton or silk. They are chemically similar to Procion MX dyes, being monochlorotriazines, but they are far less reactive, and will not work at all well at room temperature. They can be purchased in the form of powdered dye or dissolved in water; the latter removes the dangers associated with breathing dye powder. PRO Chemical & Dye says that theirProcion H dye powders (which they call ‘PRO H-Reactive Dyes’) “are an ideal alternative to French Dyes for traditional silk painting because they need less steam time and are concentrated.” Fiber-arts.com sells Procion H dyes in liquid form. Although you can find instructions for setting Procion H dyes at room temperature with sodium silicate solution, expert dyers say that steam-setting these dyes results in richer, more brilliant colors. Immersion dyeing works best at 175 degrees Fahrenheit (80 degrees C.).
