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Getting A Good Solid Black

Using Dharma Fiber Reactive Dye

A Few Things About Black Dye:
Black can be the hardest color to get. We have 4 blacks. Each has a different color cast. All except #250 work well in direct application methods like tie-dye where the fabric is kept moist long enough for the dye to develop full color. You will see some differences depending upon which you use, your particular situation, and your techniques. When tub dyeing (solid shade dyeing), there are some clear differences...
#44 Better Black
Tub dyes with a purple-blue cast and edges are blue in tie-dye.
#39 Black
tub dyes with a grayish green cast and edges are blue in tie-dye.
#250 Jet Black
This is the most concentrated of all the blacks and gives the deepest black when used for tub dyeing with hot tap water (130° to 150°F). In cooler water or tie dye you will get the deepest of greens.
#300 New Black
tub dyes with a very blue cast and edges are blue in tie-dye. Some of our good tie dye customers say mixing #44 & #300 half and half give them good results. Remember to quadruple the dye when using black.
For best tub dyed blacks, use Dharma Dye Fixative in a final soak in hot water for 30 minutes before washing out the excess dye. Black is a tough color - you have to use a lot of dye and when tub dyeing, double the salt. Do NOT use Fiber Reactive Procion Dye to get black on silk, use acid dye on wool and silk for solid black.

 

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