Alkanet Dye Powder
Botanical name: Alkanna tinctoria
Common name: It has several common names such as Dyer’s Alkanet, Spanish Bugloss and Anchusa.
Colorant: Alkannin
Dye type: Adjective dye (in this process color development requires alcohol extraction)
Shade Range: Gives colors from lavender to deep purples and even grey-blue depending on the type of fiber that is being used together with the pH of the vat. Acidic color vat will produce reds and purples while an alkali vent will give the colors a blue tinge.
Mordant Requirements: Alkanet does not need a mordant, although the use of either alum or iron will deepen the color. To extract the dye, it is necessary to use an alcohol, for example vodka or ethanol, because alkanet is insoluble in water.
Fastness: Test results showed that alkanet has average wash fastness but is slightly photo-sensitive; therefore, the recommended use would be in items that will not be subjected to direct sunlight.
Common Uses: In textile, alkanet is acceptable for use in fabrics offering colors to cosmetics such as lip creams, and soaps. It is globally used in the natural dyeing sector.
Country of Origin: Mediterranean region., Southern Europe and some parts of Asia.
Vegetarian product: Yes
American Safflower Dye
Botanical name: Carthamus tinctorius
Common name: Safflower is also referred to as False Saffron and Bastard Saffron.
Colorant: Carthamin (red) and Carthamidin (yellow)
Dye type: Adjective dye (often needs to have mordants to make it more resistant)
Shade Range: Yellow and red. Yellow is easily extracted but red known as carthamin is relatively difficult to extract. It can be faint pink or even deep red because of the technique used.
Mordant Requirements: Usually, safflower is applied directly to give pinks and reds on plant based fibers without the use of any mordant. But when combined with a mordant, such as alum, yellows are produced on protein fibers.
Fastness: The red dye is not very light fast and one might lose it after some time due to fading but the yellow dye is well light and wash fastness.
Common Uses: Used for textile dyeing purpose safflower is also used in food and cosmetic industrial products. Used to make natural red and pink colors particularly when using the cotton fabric.
Country of Origin: Mediterranean, Egypt and Mesopotamian regions.
Vegetarian product: Yes
Annatto Dye Powder
Botanical Name: Bixa orellana
Common name: Achiote, Lipstick Tree
Colorant: Norbixin (water-soluble) and Bixin (fat–soluble)
Dye type: Substantive dye, or dye that can be used without use of mordants for less vibrant results, but benefits from mordants for more vibrant results.
Shade Range: From golden yellows to bright orange, both based on the fiber and the dye concentration. It can give a warm, brassy gold on protein fibers like wool, or softer peachy tones on plant based fibers like cotton.
Mordant Requirements: Annatto can be used without mordants, but depending on the fiber, alum is commonly added to intensify color on protein and plant fibers.
Fastness: Washfastness and lightfastness for natural fibers can be moderate with the use of annatto; however, annatto can eventually fade when exposed to continued sun exposure.
Common Uses: Well known for the dyeing of textiles, food, and cosmetics. It has an iconic brown color which is commonly used for eco-friendly dyeing projects.
Country of Origin: Central and South America
Vegetarian product: Yes
Bastard Teak Dye Powder
Botanical name: Butea monospermaCommon name: Palash, Keshu, Dhak, Flame of the Forest
Colorant: Butein
Dye type: Adjective dye (Mordanted with alum or iron)
Shade Range: Produces a vibrant orange to yellow dye. Alum gives bright orange tones; iron yields darker orange-red or brown tones.
Mordant Requirements: Iron gives more muted shades of a wonderful orange dye, alum is commonly used for it. The dye can be used on cotton, silk, and wool.
Fastness: Lightfastness and washfastness are moderate on natural fibers like silk and cotton.
Common Uses: Used commonly for textile dyeing especially in traditional Indian clothes. It is also used in natural cosmetics and eco friendly crafts.
Country of Origin: India, Southeast Asia
Vegetarian product: Yes
Beetroot Dye Powder
Botanical Name: Beta vulgaris
Common name: Beet, Garden Beet, Red Beet
Colorant: Betanin
Dye type: Requires mordants for better color fastness (adjective dye)
Shade Range: This is a variety that produces a range of shades from light pink to deep red and purle. The dye concentration determines the colour intensity and the fabric type determines the minimum colour intensity of the result. As dyeing time gets shorter, it results in lighter shades and as longer exposure, deeper hues.
Mordant Requirements: Although beetroot can color fabric without mordants, mordants such as alum or vinegar are recommended for a brighter, longer lasting color. The dye is also set with salt.
Fastness: Washfastness and lightfastness of the dye is moderate, and fades, especially if exposed to the direct sunlight. It makes it last longer (mordants).
Common Uses: Used for popular, eco-friendly textile projects like the clothing, accessories and home decor. Best for natural fibers like cotton and silk, it adds a rustic and earthy tone on fabrics.
Country of Origin: Mediterranean region
Vegetarian product: Yes
Black Walnut Dye / Walnut Hull Dye
Botanical name: Juglans nigra
Colorant: Juglone
Dye type: Direct / Substantive Dye (This dye can be used without mordants, but it gives deeper shades when mordanted with alum).
Shade Range: This dye creates rich brown tones (light coffee to dark chocolate) depending on the concentration and whether a mordant like iron has been added to deepen the color.
Mordant Requirements: Substantive on wool and silk, but using alum or iron deepens the shades and makes for greater lightfastness. Tannin pretreatment is necessary for the plant fibers like cotton and mordanting with alum also suffices.
Fastness: It gives good light and wash fastness, especially on protein fibers, wool and silk. Used on cotton, proper mordanting will improve color retention.
Common Uses: Textiles, wood and in traditional crafts. Walnut dye is popular for being versatile, yet environmentally friendly.
Country of Origin: North America
Vegetarian product: Yes
Butterfly Pea Dye Powder
Botanical Name: Clitoria ternatea
Common name: Asian Pigeonwings, Blue Pea, and Aprajita
Colorant: Anthocyanin
Dye type: Needs mordants for better fastness, adjective dye.
Shade Range: Depending on pH and mordants, shades of soft blues, of purples are achieved (even shades of pinks). The blues are favored by acidic conditions and the pinkish-purple color by alkaline environments.
Mordant Requirements: Butterfly Pea can reliably dye fabric without mordants; however, the use of alum (or even lemon juice) as mordants makes for more stable color and enhanced brightness on protein fibers such as silk.
Fastness: The colors from Butterfly Pea dye fade slightly when exposed to extended sunlight without mordants, and it offers moderate washfastness and lightfastness.
Common Uses: Their use is inherently common for eco-friendly textile dyeing, especially in the shibori technique. This is particularly good on natural fibers but also good with man-made fibers such as nylon, acetate, and other rayon blends.
Country of Origin: Southeast Asia, India, Thailand, Vietnam
Vegetarian product: Yes
Calendula Dye Powder
Botanical name: Calendula officinalis
Common name: English Marigold, or Pot Marigold.
Colorant: Lutein, Zeaxanthin
Dye type: Adjective dye (requires mordants, such as alum or tannin).
Shade Range: It produces varieties of soft yellow to golden orange shades. The amount of the dye used determines the intensity of the color you obtain. Mordants such as aluminum enhance the tones of yellow.
Mordant Requirements: Typically, alum is used to make brighter yellow shades and using iron mordants move the color to a more muted greenish yellow. On protein and cellulose fibers like wool and cotton, calendula dye works well.
Fastness: Lightfastness and washfastness of the dye are moderate, but far greater when mordanted properly. Designed for simplicity it works best on natural fibers like cotton, linen, wool and silk.
Common Uses: Used for an ecofriendly project and can provide a richer palette of colors when mixed well to other natural dyes which is often seen in traditional dyeing for wool and silk.
Country of Origin: Mediterranean region
Chamomile Dye Powder
Botanical Name: Anthemis tinctoria
Common name: Golden Marguerite (Dyer’s Chamomile):
Colorant: Luteolin
Dye type: HD (Not as good color fastness as Adjective dye, must mordant (fix dye) to retain color)
Shade Range: Range of yellows: from pale soft yellow to deep golden hues. Adding washing soda or other alkaline modifiers intensify the color to a warm golden yellow. However, over dyes with indigo will provide green tones.
Mordant Requirements: Iron can also give green, or olive tones, whereas alum is often used to brighten yellow tones. Milled Chamomile is known to work well on either protein or cellulose fibers.
Fastness: This dye has an average wash fastness and average light fastness and is suitable for use in dyeing textile where mordanted.
Common Uses: Dye used for dying woolen and silk fabrics. Its warm yellow tones make it a favorite of eco dyers and can be mordanted to various shades.
Country of Origin: Introduced Europe and North America, Mediterranean region
Vegetarian product: Yes
Eupatorium Dye Powder
Botanical Name: Ageratina adenophora (Syn.Eupatorium adenophorum)
Common name: Crofton Weed, Sticky Snakeroot
Colorant: Flavonoids
Dye type: Adjectives dye (requires mordants like alum or iron)
Shade Range: Soft yellow, or vibrant green hues. Alum yields yellow and green tones, iron produces earthy moss greens. It can produce stunning blue green shades when over dyed with indigo.
Mordant Requirements: Alum gives a yellow/green shades and iron a darker green tone; the alum and iron used are considered mordants. It can also be layered well with other dye materials.
Environmental Impact: Although considered an invasive species in the Himalayas, use of Eupatorium in natural dyeing helps to control the plant as well as support local communities.
Common Uses: Eupatorium dye is mainly used in ecofriendly textiles, with moderate lightfastness, and washfastness when mordanted.
Country of Origin: Africa, Indian subcontinent, Southeast Asia, Himalayas
Vegetarian product: Yes
Henna Dye Powder
Botanical Name: Lawsonia inermis
Common name: Egyptian Privet, Mignonette Tree, Mehndi
Colorant: Lawsone
Dye type: Substantive dye (with no need of a mordent)
Shade Range: Henna only colors natural fibers such as wool or silk and gives a soft yellow brown to olive green shades. The hue shifts from yellow to brown depending on fiber and pH levels. Brighter tones are produced in acidic conditions and darker shades are produced in alkaline conditions.
Mordant Requirements: Like other tannins, henna does not require mordants because it contains a large amount within it, but the use of mordants like alum can help to darken the color on textiles.
Fastness: Application of henna to textiles has good wash fastness and light fastness. The color deepens with time and stabilizes.
Common Uses: Henna is widely used in natural textile dyeing and is especially valued for its ecofriendly, nontoxic application. Occasionally used along with indigo to create darker tones on wool and silk.
Country of Origin: India, North Africa and the Middle East
Vegetarian product: Yes
Himalayan Rhubarb Dye Powder
Botanical name: Rheum emodi
Common name: Indian Rhubarb, Dolu, Chukri
Colorant: Chrysophanol
Dye type: Adjective dye (Requires mordants like alum for fixation of color)
Shade Range: Produces deep golden yellows to red orange tones, depending on the mordant and pH used on the dye.
Mordant Requirements: Alum gives yellow tones, iron gives deep olive-green or brown shades. On acidic conditions this dye will yield more yellow and on alkaline conditions more orange to reddish tones.
Fastness: Good light and wash fastnesses are afforded by the dye when mordanted with alum on natural fibers, such as wool and silk.
Common Uses: Wool, silk and cotton dyeing.
Country of Origin: India, Nepal, Bhutan and Himalayan region
Vegetarian product: Yes
Indian Berberry Dye
Botanical Name: Berberis aristata
Common name: Indian Barberry, Tree Turmeric, Daruharidra
Colorant: Berberine
Dye type: Adjective dye (requires mordants like alum or iron)
Shade Range: Produces bright fluorescent yellow to mustard hues. Iron mordants deepen the color to olive or brown.
Mordant Requirements: Alum enhances the yellow color, while iron shifts the dye to deeper greens and browns. Used widely for cotton.
Fastness: Indian Berberry provides excellent light and washfastness on cotton, silk, and wool.
Common Uses: Commonly used in textile dyeing, particularly for cotton and wool, producing eco-friendly shades from yellow to brown.
Country of Origin: India, Nepal, Himalayan regions
Vegetarian product: Yes
Indigo Dye Powder
Botanical Name: Indigofera tinctoria
Common name: True Indigo, Indian Indigo
Colorant: Indigotin
Dye type: Vat dye (requires reduction and oxygen exposure for color to develop)
Shade Range: Indigo produces a range of blue shades, from pale sky blue to deep navy, depending on the number of dips and exposure to air. The dye penetrates the fibers and darkens with each dip in the vat.
Mordant Requirements: Indigo is a vat dye and does not require a mordant. It works by reduction in a vat, followed by exposure to oxygen, which develops the iconic blue color.
Fastness: Indigo offers excellent washfastness and moderate lightfastness, especially on natural fibers like cotton and silk.
Common Uses: Indigo is widely used for dyeing textiles, especially denim, and is also used in traditional crafts, art, and textiles.
Country of Origin: India, Southeast Asia, Central and South America
Vegetarian product: Yes
Kamala Dye Powder
Botanical Name: Mallotus philippinensis
Common name: Monkey Face Tree, Kamala, Red Kamala
Colorant: Rottlerin
Dye type: Adjective dye (requires mordants like alum or iron)
Shade Range: Kamala produces light to dark yellow to orange shades, depending on the fiber and mordant used. On wool and silk, it creates a vibrant orange hue, while on cotton it tends to be lighter.
Mordant Requirements: Alum is typically used to fix yellow shades on protein fibers, while iron can shift the color toward more muted tones like mossy greens.
Fastness: The dye offers moderate lightfastness and washfastness, with good performance on natural fibers like cotton, wool, and silk.
Common Uses: Commonly used for dyeing textiles, as well as in cosmetics and as a natural food colorant for items like ice cream and beverages.
Country of Origin: India, Southeast Asia
Vegetarian product: Yes
Katha Dye / Cutch Dye Powder
Botanical name: Acacia catechu
Common name: Cutch, Katha, Khoyer
Colorant: Catechin
Dye type: Substantive dye (high tannin content allows for dyeing without mordant, but mordants enhance shades)
Shade Range: Range of browns, from light cinnamon to deep chocolate. Using an iron mordant darkens the shades, while copper can produce olive tones.
Mordant Requirements: Cutch works as a substantive dye due to its high tannin content, but mordants such as alum (at 15% WOF) create more vibrant, long-lasting browns. Using iron darkens the hue to a chocolate brown .
Fastness: This dye has excellent lightfastness and washfastness, especially on natural fibers like wool. When mordanted, it holds up well against light exposure and washing, maintaining its rich tones.
Common Uses: Cutch is prized for its eco-friendly properties in sustainable fashion and textile dyeing. Its versatility allows it to be used in both artistic applications and traditional fabric production.
Country of Origin: India, Southeast Asia
Vegetarian product: Yes
Lac Natural Dye Powder
Botanical Name: Laccifer lacca
Common name: Lac, Shellac, Stick Lac
Colorant: Laccaic acid
Dye type: Adjective dye (requires mordants for better color fastness)
Shade Range: Produces shades ranging from bright crimson and burgundy reds to deep purples. The color is sensitive to pH levels; acidic conditions yield reds, while alkaline conditions shift the color towards purples.
Mordant Requirements: Alum is commonly used for vibrant reds on protein fibers like silk and wool. For plant fibers like cotton, tannin is needed before applying an alum mordant to achieve better fastness.
Fastness: Lac dye provides good lightfastness and washfastness on protein fibers, but the fastness on cellulose fibers is reduced without proper mordanting.
Common Uses: Popular in traditional textile dyeing, particularly for wool, silk, and occasionally cotton. It is also valued for its eco-friendly properties and is still used in modern sustainable dyeing practices.
Country of Origin: India, Southeast Asia, Nepal, Bhutan
Vegetarian product: No (insect-based)
Marigold Dye Powder
Botanical Name: Tagetes erecta
Common name: Aztec Marigold, Flor de Muertos, Genda, Jhandu
Colorant: Lutein, Zeaxanthin
Dye type: Adjective dye (requires mordants for better fastness)
Shade Range: Produces vibrant shades of yellow, gold, and even soft oranges. Iron can shift the color toward greenish tones, while acidic modifiers like citric acid brighten the yellow.
Mordant Requirements: Alum and iron are commonly used to enhance the color's depth and fastness. Marigold is suitable for both protein and cellulose fibers.
Fastness: Marigold dye provides moderate lightfastness and washfastness, especially when used with mordants like alum and iron.
Common Uses: Popular for eco-friendly fabric dyeing, and its flowers are also used in traditional Indian ceremonies and Mexican festivals like Dia de los Muertos. It is often combined with other natural dyes to expand its color range.
Country of Origin: South America, India
Vegetarian product: Yes
Myrobalan Dye Powder
Botanical name: Terminalia chebula
Common name: Haritaki, Indian Gallnut
Colorant: Chebulic acid, tannins
Dye type: Adjective dye (acts as both a mordant and dye, primarily for plant based fibers)
Shade Range: Myrobalan produces light buttery yellows, browns, and even soft greens. Iron mordants shift the color to lichen greens and grey-greens.
Mordant Requirements: While it can be used as a standalone dye, Myrobalan is primarily used as a tannin mordant for plant fibers like cotton. To achieve a deeper yellow, it is often combined with other mordants, such as alum.
Fastness: Myrobalan provides good washfastness and lightfastness, especially when used as a tannin pre-treatment for other dyes.
Common Uses: It is a versatile dye, commonly used in natural textile dyeing. It also serves as a base for overdyeing with indigo, producing rich teal shades.
Country of Origin: India, Southeast Asia
Vegetarian product: Yes
Phool Dhawa Dye Powder
Botanical name: Woodfordia fruticosa
Common name: Dhawa Phool, Gule Dhawa, Button Tree, Ghatti Tree, Axle-wood Tree
Colorant: Tannins and Anthocyanins
Dye type: Adjective dye (requires mordants for enhanced color and fastness)
Shade Range: Produces a range of colors from golden yellow to deep orange-red. When mordanted with alum, it can give rich orange and red tones, while iron yields darker brown hues.
Mordant Requirements: Alum and iron are commonly used to deepen and fix the color. The high tannin content makes Phool Dhawa a reliable dye on both protein and plant fibers.
Fastness: The dye has good lightfastness and washfastness, particularly on natural fibers such as cotton and silk.
Common Uses: Popular for eco-friendly textile dyeing and is often used to dye traditional Indian fabrics. Its tannin-rich properties also make it a great mordant for other dyes.
Country of Origin: India, Southeast Asia
Vegetarian product: Yes
Pomegranate Peel Dye Powder
Botanical name: Punica granatum
Common name: Anardana,
Colorant: Ellagic acid, tannins
Dye type: Substantive dye (contains high levels of tannins, can be used with or without mordants)
Shade Range: Produces golden yellows, greens, greys, and blacks. Without a mordant, it gives a yellow-fawn color, and with alum, the yellow deepens. Iron produces mossy greens, greys, and blacks.
Mordant Requirements: Due to its high tannin content, Pomegranate peel can act as a dye without a mordant. However, using alum brightens the yellows, and iron creates darker hues like greens and blacks.
Fastness: This dye provides good lightfastness and washfastness, making it suitable for protein fibers (wool, silk) and plant fibers (cotton, linen).
Common Uses: Commonly used in eco-printing and textile dyeing.
Country of Origin:Middle East, India, Mediterranean regions
Vegetarian product: Yes
Sappanwood Dye Powder
Botanical name: Caesalpinia sappan
Common name: Indian Redwood, East Indian Brazilwood
Colorant: Brazilin (oxidizes into Brazilein)
Dye type: Adjective dye (requires mordants for color development and fixation)
Shade Range: Vibrant red hues, ranging from pinks and bright reds to purples depending on pH and mordanting. With alum, it yields red to pink tones, while iron produces deep purples and browns.
Mordant Requirements: Pre-mordanting with alum is common to achieve bright red colors. Iron and copper mordants can darken the color to purple and brown.
Fastness: The dye has good washfastness but is more sensitive to light, meaning that colors may darken with prolonged sun exposure.
Common Uses: Traditionally used for textiles, Sappanwood is also employed in crafts, and as a food and drink colorant. In natural dyeing, it offers a versatile palette and can be combined with other dyes to achieve various hues.
Country of Origin: India, Southeast Asia
Vegetarian product: Yes