Buy paints made especially for light fabrics like silk. They are very thin, water-based paints that are set by using a hot iron. The colors are usually a little less vivid than dyes but it is a simple process.
Choose steam set dyes for the most brilliant colors. These dyes will give you the brightest colors and the silk feels like it did before you started.
Consider dyes that are set with a liquid fixative. These dyes are brushed with the fixative once the painting is finished. The colors are not as brilliant as those in Step 2, but the silk still feels clean when the process is completed.
Try instant-set pigment dye for a simple silk painting procedure. The paint just needs to dry for 24 hours and the colors are usually brighter than paints. However, instant-set dyes are not as colorfast as the first three options.
Start by buying primary colors in the dye or paint of your choice. You can mix these colors to create many more, saving you money in the long run.