Dharma's own line of professional Acid Dyes for Silk, Wool and Nylon! While we have offered other acid dyes for years, we have decided to mix and package our own line of Acid Dyes in order to increase the range of colors and to lower prices. We have brought in some colors that are the same as other manufacturers, easy to use, with brilliant colors, at better prices. We have also brought in some colors not normally available to the home dyer that are more advanced and a bit more complex to use (Pre-metalized Acid Dyes), but offer better washfastness and lightfastness. For those of you who dye as an art form, we also chose these unique colors because they are extraordinary and hard to get. Traditional vat dyeing techniques of full immersion on the stove were used to develop the colors. People use these dyes in a wide variety of creative techniques including microwaving, baking, printing, spraying, painting, squirting, steaming etc. You will experience a lot of different results, color shifts, separation of color with mixes, etc. depending on the techniques you use. A large chart included under the Instructions link gives you more information and ratings for all the colors so you can make intelligent choices. Acid Dyes are concentrated powdered dyes for dyeing protein fibers and some Nylons (best for PFP or "prepared for printing" Nylon). The best choice for tub dyeing silk and wool fabrics, skeins of silk or wool yarn, feathers, etc. You can also paint or print with with it if you fix it by steaming. For tub dyeing, use these dyes on your stove or in a washing machine, keeping in mind that they do require very HOT water or steaming for best results. The only other thing needed is white vinegar for the fixative, or citric acid which is odorless. Acid Dyes react fast, exhaust well, and results for most colors are very lightfast and washfast. As with all powdered dyes or craft chemicals, handle with care and use good housekeeping procedures. Our color charts were done from wool dyeings, in a pot, on the stove. Silk and wool do not always come out the same color, techniques and water cause variation, plus monitors vary, etc., so when color is critical, test, test, test! Wash items dyed with acid dye in cold water. For a dye for protein fibers that is washfast even in hot water, see our new Dharmaset Dyes. Click on the "Instructions" tab for complete instructions, very useful charts on the properties of the dye colors and a very helpful "trouble shooting" article. Keep in mind that an * by the name of a dye color (blacks and navy) indicates to use that color at 4% of weight of goods rather than 1.5 - 2% for the rest of the colors.
