PO Box 14 • Somerset, MA 02726
orders 1-800-2-BUY-DYE
technical support 508-676-3838
fax 508-676-3980
e-mail: promail@prochemical.com
www.prochemical.com

Making Print Paste from scratch

Please read directions carefully before starting.

Use for thickening reactive dye solutions for screen printing, block printing or hand painting applications. This recipe makes one quart (1 liter) of print paste. For additional information visit our web site at www.prochemical.com .

Supplies
Metaphos
Urea
PRO Chem Flakes (necessary for H dyes, but is optional for MX or F dyes. Use if you live in an area with high amounts of smog.)
PRO Thick SH for cotton, linen and rayon OR PRO Thick F for silk and wool

Procedure
1. Make the Urea Water by mixing together the ingredients below.

        9 Tbl (100 grams) Urea
        1 ½ tsp (3.5 grams) PRO Chem Flakes (see reference above)
        Warm water to make 1 quart (1 liter)

2. Make the Stock Thickener Paste. Measure the appropriate amount PRO Thick SH or F, from the chart below, into a dry container and set aside.

PRO Thick SH

Thin Paste 
 (hand painting)

Thick Paste 
(screen printing)
Thick SH 2 Tbl (16 gm) 6 Tbl (54 gm)
Metaphos ½ tsp (4 gm) 2 tsp (14 gm

PRO Thick F

Thin Paste
(hand painting)

Thick Paste 
(screen printing)
Thick F 3½ Tbl (30 gm) 15 Tbl (132 gm)
Metaphos 1 tsp (7 gm) 4 ½ tsp (32 gm)

While stirring the Urea Water rapidly, add the Metaphos and stir until dissolved. Then, slowly add the pre-measured PRO Thick SH or F. Stir until thoroughly mixed. Stir intermittently until a smooth paste is obtained; this usually takes 45 to 60 minutes. Let stand overnight for smoothest results. Store unused paste in a closed container. Paste can be stored up to six months normally without refrigeration. Discard it if you detect an ammonia smell.

These four thicknesses of print paste described above are guidelines. Experiment until you get the thickness that suits your application needs.

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