Marbling Kit Instructions

A mordant must be used on paper and fabric so that the marbled design will adhere to the fiber or paper quickly and permanently.

Marbling kit instructions. The technique involves floating paints on the surface of a gel like medium known as the marbling size and then transferring this floating design onto paper or fabric. Alum treated fabric or paper should be used within 2 days or placed in an airtight container or bag as the alum deteriorates and also can rot. The floating paints are swirled into patterns. Then you capture your design by laying a treated piece of fabric or paper down on top of the paint to transfer the swirls to the fabric.

I would strongly advise to buy a full kit that comes with everything you need to start body marbling. Using the correct acrylic body marbling paint is extremely important. Reserve alum mixture in bin to use over several days. The ancient art of paper marbling has historically been associated with the book arts.

Marbling is the process of floating fabric paints on the surface of a thick cellulose solution called size somewhat like oil on water. Mix 3 tablespoons alum per quart of hot tap water in a bin. Soak leather or prewashed fabric in mixture for 20 minutes or brush onto paper.