A
number of the alternative processes lend themselves very easily to making
photographic prints on a range of materials other than paper. The only
differences in technique involve some small adjustments in coating and
exposure, the use of a flat iron and knowing which process is chemically
compatible with which material. It is important to remember that the best
results come from using only 100 per cent vegetable fibres. These include
cotton, linen, calico, linen and cotton union, (the base for chintz),
muslin, sail cloth, canvas and, of course, pure cotton T- shirts. Printing
on animal or man-made fibres such as polyester and nylon is less easy
as the sensitisers cannot soak into the fibres. The same applies to silk.
Traditionally, the easiest processes for printing on fabric are Van Dyke
printing and cyanotype. If you are very affluent you can try platinum
printing on large sheets of canvas, but check with your bank first.