Representation of Screen Marbling Techniques with Reactive and Vat Dyes Combination on Textiles and Fashion Design Products for the Ghanaian Market

Abstract

Textile products are not only patronised for their functionality and communicative purposes, but equally for their aesthetics. Marbling has been a cherished art for centuries with attractive and intricate designs used for decorative purposes. The study explores the possibility of transferring marbling designs using reactive and vat dyes combination through screen printing method to produce fabrics that can be fashioned into garments and accessories. The study employed both descriptive and experimental methods to assess market trends of existing fabric designs in selected markets in the country and then produce marbling effects using vat and reactive dyes to popularise the art for everyday usage in fabric, garments and accessories. Mercerized cotton was used as based material for the printing processes which were fashioned into garments and accessories. The market survey on existing fabric designs revealed non-availability of designs reflecting the silk screen marbling effects using vat dyes as print paste on reactive dyed backgrounds in the Ghanaian market, hence paving the way for the experiment to that effect. The results from the experiment established that the fluidity of the marbling designs with its colour integration in aesthetic manner makes it favourable to compete in the fabric market. This, the researchers believed forms the basis for more further study in exploring related arts as means of expanding creativity and creating jobs for the youth. The recommendation was mainly on further study to improve on colour matching techniques for enhanced and varied outcomes.

Keywords: Aesthetics, Marbling techniques, African prints, Vat and Reactive Dyes

DOI: 10.7176/ADS/80-05

Publication date: January 31st 2020