Frequently asked questions:

​Frequently asked questions:


​Is it an oil-based paint?
  • No. It is a water-based formulated paint that stains most natural fibres including fabric. It is a quick drying non-toxic paint.

Can you use any fabric?
  • Only fabrics that absorb water quickly.
  • Test your fabric under a tap-if the fabric absorbs quickly – good to use!
  • Test your fabric under a tap-if the WATER runs off or absorbs slowly – no good to use!
  • The quicker it absorbs water the better your print will turn out.
  • TEST ALL materials.

Do you treat the fabric with anything?
  • Yes, all fabric printing needs a mordant, we use Alum. (See kit instructions)

Do you need to treat paper, tiles, cork, leather, pottery, etc.?
  • I do not treat paper, tiles, leather, and pottery.
  • I treat hard wood by spraying it with alum solution. 
  • Always treat fabric.
How to dry prints after marbling?
  • Leave all items to dry before touching; there is no need to rub them.
  • All porous surfaces dry at different rates.
  • Paper and fabric prints are quick, lay print face down onto some kitchen towel to allow the floater liquid to be absorbed.
  • Less porous surfaces take longer to dry, like stones and tiles.

Do you have to iron the fabric?
  • Yes, rinse under a tap after marbled, this allows all alum to be rinsed out and then dry iron on the back. (Heat fixes fabric)
 

Can you wash the fabric?
  • Yes, on a gentle cycle in your washing machine.

How many prints can you get with the full kit?
  • 300-400 prints for fabric. Up to 1000 prints for paper.

How do you print large prints?
  • The bigger the tray, the bigger the print is going to be. 
  • For example: For scarves and lampshades we used a garden grow-bag plastic tray. Remember you only need an inch deep tray.

What is the paint floating on?
  • The Floater Powder is a plant extract in powder form, which is mixed with tap water, this is called the SIZE.

How long does the floater liquid last once mixed?
  • 3-4 weeks out of the fridge, or 3-4 months in the fridge.

How do you dilute the paint?         
  • One part paint to one part soft water into an empty container with an air-tight lid.
  • Once you have finished your master-pieces, you can put the lids back on, and prolong the diluted paint until it’s finished. 
  • Always keep them in a cool place.

Will the paint stain clothes?
  • Yes, so prepare yourself with an apron and use some plastic/newspaper on your table for protection.

How do you mix the floater?
Only refer to the Floater pot for instructions.

Pot of floater powder with blue spoon provided-
(Use a slightly heaped BLUE SPOON per 1 litre of HOT TAP water ) updated since in 20th JUNE 2020.
  • Bring your pot of TAP water to near boiling. 
  • Sprinkle in your Floater Powder 3.5g / slightly heaped blue spoon provided, and whisk quickly until all the powder is dissolved. 
  • Pour into a container with a lid and leave to cool overnight.
  • Do not put it in the fridge whilst it is still cooling down.
  • Whisk again before use.
  • Do not drink

Can dissolved alum be kept? How should this be stored and for how long?
  • The dissolved alum can be stored in any bottle (old milk containers that is cleaned out thoroughly) please label it ALUM DO NOT DRINK. /although it is harmless, it does taste awful. You can put dissolved alum in a spray bottle to spray items, like hard wood. You can purchase Alum at any BOOTS Pharmacy.
  • It will keep for 3 applications of 10g per 2litres of hot water. (One sachet is 30g) You can keep each solution for 3 applied occasions. 
  • (Total of 9 applications)

Why should fabric not be ironed before it’s printed onto? Why is this?
  • The reason why we do not ironing the fabric after you have treated the fabric with alum, is that the alum oxides too quickly, and damages the fabric. Once the print is taken off the tray, we advise rinsing it under the tap to get rid of the alum and floater, and then dry iron the back to fix the fabric for washing purposes.

​What paper is good to marble?
  • We use Xerox 160 grams weight mat paper
  • Laser and inkjet printing paper, comes in 250 sheets (see diagram below)
  • Avoid water-colour paper; gloss paper and cheep A6 card packs.
  • Nothing less than 160 gsm.
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How to reminders:


All the solutions and reasons to the above reminders are covered in the instructions at the bottom RHS provided in the Marbling 4 Fun kit.

In my 20+ years experience, almost every angle has been covered and hence being placed into the instructions for your benefit. 

This is an ancient craft and is very forgiving. Like anything creative, with practise, comes perfection, and perfection is a unique masterpiece neither wrong nor right. It is a work of art.

My advice, enjoy the process and have fun!                       

Craig Joubert.