Dyes

March 10, 2004

I encourage everyone to try this creative endeavor. The design possibilities are limitless. If you have never dyed a set of flags, this should give you a good start. If you have done dye work in the past, I hope that you find this information useful. There are many dye products available. This page is not meant to be a comprehensive list, it is merely a community resource. Enjoy, create, have fun!

Searching the web for fluorescent dyes and pigments will return a lot of hits. Finding dyes of this type that will actually set on silk and dissolve in water is another story entirely. I was able to find the three primary colors in true fluorescent acid wash dyes. They are listed, along with suppliers, in the “True Fluorescent Dyes” section of this text. To my knowledge all of these suppliers will provide free samples upon request. I am listing dyes available at Dharma as well. It has been my experience that the Dharma Dyes listed below do not pop as strongly as the others.

Dharma Trading Company Dyes

I know these dyes pop, others may or may not.

Jaquard Acid Dyes

• Lilac – #612
• Hot Fuscia #620
• Brilliant Blue #623
• Brilliant Kelly Green #627
• Chartreuse #628

Sennelier Tinfix Design Dye

Canary Yellow #3 – Also an acid wash dye but comes in a very concentrated liquid, dilute with h20 or alcohol then apply. You will need a yellow!

These are just pointers. The above dyes actually have fluorescent properties under black light, but are not true fluorescent dyes.

True Fluorescent Dyes

Now for the intense dyes!!

Day-Glo Color Corporation 1-800-4-dayglo Ask for customer service

• D818 Roanoke Yellow
• D834 Grand Yellow

Pylam Products Company Inc. 1-800-645-6096

• Fluorescent Violet – LX11387
• Fluorescent Blue – LX11384
• Fluorescent Green
• Fluorescent Yellow
• Fluorescent Brightener #351 – For that extra boost

Organic Dyestuff Corporation 1-401-438-8136

• Rhodamine B 400%. — This is a fluorescent acid wash dye that is my primary red, although I have to tone it down with yellow to make a true red. I have only found it at one place, and it was $100/ pound. You may have to beg someone to cut you a pound. They usually only sell in 55 pound drums. There are probably other suppliers of this dye who can provide smaller quantities.
• Rhodamine G — Incredible Fluorescent Pink