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.