Dye

A dye can generally be described as a coloured substance that has an affinity to the substrate to which it is being applied. The dye is usually used as an aqueous solution, and may require a mordant to improve the fastness of the dye on the fibre. In contrast, a pigment generally has no affinity for the substrate, and is insoluble.

Natural dyes

Animal origin

These include tyrian purple (vat dye), kermes and cochineal (mordant dyes) and techelet.

Related Topics:
Tyrian purple - Kermes - Cochineal - Techelet

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Vegetable origin

Substantive dyes include safflower and turmeric, while indigo and woad are vat dyes. Mordant dyes include alizarin (madder), dyer's broom, brazilwood, quercitron bark, weld and old fustic. Cudbear is unclassified.

Related Topics:
Safflower - Turmeric - Indigo - Woad - Alizarin - Dyer's broom - Brazilwood - Quercitron bark - Weld - Old fustic - Cudbear

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Inorganic dyes

These include eosin and iron buff.

Related Topics:
Eosin - Iron buff

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