A substance which is applied to the material in order to preserve the underlying colour and prevent further take up of dye or bleach in those areas.

• Paraffin Wax - A brittle, clear, odourless wax which if used on its

own, tends to crack or break down, allowing dye penetration. Better

used a bulking agent in combination with other waxes. Purchased

in pelleted or block form. Melts at 122øF / 50øC.

• Beeswax - A fragrant, natural wax secreted by the honey bee. Pliable

but not resistant to alkali. Natural beeswax is honey coloured. White

beeswax is bleach-refined. Purchased in pellet or block form. Melts at 136øF / 58øF.

• Microcrystalline Wax - An odourless synthetic wax with similar properties

to beeswax but more resilient to alkali, more suitable therefore for

Indigo vat dyeing. Purchased in pelleted and block form. Melts at

167øF / 75øC.

• Rosin (Pine Resin) - A fragrant, amber coloured natural resin. Excellent

in combination with waxes for a hard, tactile quality and/or for controlled

cracking. Resins are hard and sticky and can congeal. They are more

suitable for brush work. Purchased in crystal type lumps. Melts at

176øF / 80øC.

• General Purpose Wax Combination

3 X parts paraffin to 1 X part beeswax or microcrystalline.

• Cracking Wax

2 X parts paraffin to 1 X part rosin

Experimentation is advised in order achieve specific objectives.

Composition and amount of different waxes/resins.

Temperature - Different levels of wax penetration.

Method of application - brush, tjanting, block...

Andrew Wynne, November 1999