A method for coating a textile includes applying a substantially water-free, energy-curable, polymer-forming composition to the textile and exposing the textile and composition to a source of energy under such conditions as to generate chemically active sites on the surface of the textile and polymerize the composition. The resulting polymer is grafted onto the textile. Preferably, the energy is derived from electron beam radiation. The composition includes an epoxy oligomer having at least two ethylenically unsaturated moieties, and at least one alkoxylated polyol monomer having at least two ethylenically unsaturated moieties and capable of being copolymerized with the epoxy oligomer. Preferably, the composition also includes a surface active agent capable of rendering the uncured composition dispersible in water. Optionally, the composition can contain a colorant, and photoinitiator. The composition is especially suitable for use as a screen printing ink and coating material for textiles.