deColourant & deColourant Plus

deColourant is a ready to use white discharging cream, with, get this, NO offensive odor!!! Just a light citrus smell.
Use deColourant to remove the color from dyed natural fabrics, such as cotton, rayon, or linen. deColourant also works on many papers. It will remove the dyed color and leave the natural undyed color of the item, depending, of course, on what the item is dyed with originally. Some dye colors discharge to other colors, lighter versions, and some don't discharge. Acid dyes normally used on silk and wool are usually not discharged very easily. This product works in a very similar way as our Jacquard Discharge Paste, only without the noxious ammonia smell when you iron it. Logic does tell you, though, that it is still a chemical with a chemical reaction going on, which can release fumes even if you cannot smell them, so we still recommend you use it in a well ventilated area. A respirator with a gas cartridge is recommended for any discharge products if you are using them constantly for production or have chemical sensitivities.

deColourant Mist Spray: works best with dyed natural fabric and non-glossy papers. Some colors may not remove well. For best results, always test samples first. Protect surrounding areas. Spray desired design using a stencil or found object. Allow to dry and iron until desired result is achieved. For extra color removal, iron with steam. Color will leave at this stage. Wash fabrics with mild detergent to return to natural softness.

deColourant Plus acts the same way as deColourant, but in one step it removes the color (like deColourant) and adds a new color to replace the removed color. Basically, deColourant Plus is deColourant creme with pigments already added. In a single pass, deColourant Plus both removes the dyed color from natural fibers and replaces that color with the deColourant Plus pigment.

• Pastel Spring Colors set: Coral Pink, Mint Green, Sunlit Yellow
• Fall Foliage Colors set: Persimmon, Tuscan Brown, Autumn Yellow
• Pastel II Colors set: Orange Ice, Robin's Egg Blue, Carnation
• Primary Colors set: Real Red, Cobalt, Yellow
• Neon Colors set: Neon Orange, Neon Pink, Neon Violet
• Metallic Colors set: Bronze, Gold, Silver
• Bright Colors set: Orange, Purple, Lime

How does deColourant work? deColourant is activated by heat. Nothing happens until you heat the deColourant creme. Apply the design you want. If you do not like it, remove it! You won't damage or change your work materials. When you have the design exactly as you want it, let it dry completely. 24 hours is best. Apply heat to the deColourant. The more heat, the more color is removed. You can use a household iron on the steam setting, a heat gun, or even the sun! When your design is done, after 24-48 hours, you simply wash out any remaining deColourant and no more color will be removed. Steaming with the iron worked best in our tests.

deColourant does not damage your work materials. It only activates with heat. On fabrics, it does not change the "hand" of the fabric. Your finished design is as supple as the original fabric. Designs made with deColourant can safely be washed, ironed, or more with no further effects.

Because the "dischargability" of dyes is so variable, we strongly recommend that before you begin any project you test a scrap first to be sure you are getting the effects you want!

How To Use deColourant

• Rubber Stamping Techniques ( click to expand )

deColourant was designed to give precise fine-line detail. It is a perfect match for rubber stamping.

Apply deColourant to the face of your favorite Rubber Stamp. Apply deColourant evenly, and make sure you have a uniform layer. If you are using deColourant Plus, you can "paint" the stamp with different colors.

NOTE: Rubber Stamps work better than clear stamps.

Hold the stamp down with firm pressure for about 10 seconds for a uniform image. If you are using a heavy layer of deColourant, you may want to put a protective layer underneath your work so the deColourant does not travel thru the top layer.

Lift off Rubber Stamp. deColourant has been transferred to your work.

Apply Heat to set deColourant and remove color from your work.
The more heat, the more color is removed. You can also direct heat to certain areas and remove more color from those areas.
To avoid transferring deColourant to the bottom of your iron, wait until the deColourant has dried completely before ironing.

NOTE: You can speed up the drying time by using a hot-air gun.

Various color depths can be achieved by varying the amoung of heat applied to the deColourant.

Wash fabric to remove any excess deColourant. This will set the design, and no more color will be removed.

Use materials to create a mask where you do not want color removed.
Cut out a stencil of the design, use found objects, etc.

Mask your work surface where you do not want color removed.
Spray the area lightly. The heavier the spray, the more color will be removed when you apply heat.

Allow your work to dry completely, then apply heat. Control the amount of color removal by the intensity and duration of heating.

More complex designs can be created by layering repeat applications of deColourant, using different masks and different heating times / temperatures.

Wash fabric to remove any excess deColourant. This will set the design, and no more color will be removed.

• Painting Techniques ( click to expand )

Using various sizes and types of brushes, paint your design.
The amount of color removed will depend on the thickness of the applied creme and the amount of heat used to activate the deColourant.
To create more detailed designs, work in a sequence of applying creme, drying, and heating. A variety of line work will build up over time.

When the design is complete, allow to dry.
Apply heat to activate deColourant and remove the color where you have painted

• Silk Screen Techniques ( click to expand )

	Household Bleach	ProChem Formula	Jacquard Discharge Paste	deColourant®
Viscosity	Smooth	Thick Honey	Gelatin, Gloppy	Smooth, Flowing, Pourable
Smell	Very Strong Bleach Oder	Unpleasant Chemical	Strong Chemical	Citrus Scent, no odor
Shelf Life	Several Hours	2 Weeks	8 - 12 months	8 - 12 months
Color Removal	Partial Color Removed	Poor Color Removal	Poor, secondary shade	Best Color Removed
Paint Brush Detail	Good	Good	Poor	Excellent
Rubber Stamp Detail	Poor Detail definition	Poor	Poor	Excellent
Silk Screen Detail	Good if used immediately	Good	Poor	Excellent
Preparation Time	20 minutes	1/2 hour. Let sit overnight	Ready to Use	Ready to Use
Ease of Use	Messy	Need to adjust with Water	Does not flow easily, too rubbery	Ready immediately. Non-messy application