HOw much dye powder do you use per 16 oz. of dye solution?

[Marg]

Hi Everyone, What I'm wondering is: do you adjust how much dye you use based on the %OWG of the dye? Most of the dyes I use are 3%OWG and I normally use 2 Tablespoons per 16 oz. except for Turquoise-3 T and Fushia-1T, and black-5T, now I have just ordered a couple of dyes that are 2%OWG and 4%OWG and I am thinking I should use more dye for the 4% and less for the 2%, is that what you guys and gals do? Did I mention that I'm not a mathematician and I don't weigh anything? Thanks for your feedback, Marg

[tiedyejudy]

I have always used Dharma's basic recipe which is 2 teaspoons of dye powder per cup of water, unless the dye color indicates otherwise.  i.e., colors with an '*' on the jar need 2 times as much dye, '**' need 4 times as much dye.  This gives me a good medium strength dye.  I use less for lighter shades, more for darker shades.  I don't weigh my garment and mix accordingly, because I am usually making up a batch of dye for a number of garments.  I am also using direct application method or low water immersion... vat dyeing may be another story.

Judy 

[steve]

As I recall, this OWG number, while having some relevance for "application" dyeing (ie tie-dyeing with a squirt bottle), is meant as a guide for immersion dyeing. In other words, if one wants a saturation of color such as given in the representative color on the swatch, one should use the %OWG given.

Also, dyes vary considerably in density, so it is not really accurate base your volume of dye powder on the recommended weight.

That being said, I usually use 1 Tbs/cup with the exception of black, turquoise and a few other hues.

I'm sure Paula could weigh in on this.

Steve

[pburch]

That's how I do it, Steve. I pay attention to the OWG concentrations used for the swatches only when considering how to reproduce the colors in those swatches. For example, since I want my blue MX-R (ProChem's Basic Blue and Dharma's Sky Blue) to be a medium blue rather than a sky blue, I'm inclined to use as much of it as I would of turquoise.

Paula

[2D4]

With dyes from Dharma for 16ozs. I use:
2tbs.  for "no *",   
3tbs. per (*),   
4tbs. for some of the deeper blues (**)   
and 6tbs. for BLACK (with thickener).
I guess I like to ere heavy rather than light.

I rely on Dharma's * system. With Prochem I have
a harder time determining the starting point.
Is there a comparable system with Prochem that
I'm not aware of?

Jo

[Marg]

Thanks to everyone for your replies. I don't know about dharma's star * system, could you describe it? I think I'll contact ProChem and ask them. Thanks, Marg

[mustdye]

If you scroll down to just below the colors you'll see Dharma's "guide"
http://www.dharmatrading.com/html/eng/3796-AA.shtml?lnav=dyes.html

I would just copy and paste but I figure they own what is on their site.

[Marg]

This is what Lab Support at ProChem said in reply to my email:

When using your approach to dyeing, you will undoubtedly get variations in your colors, even when using the same jar of dye. The only way to get consistent results is to switch to the metric system and do the math based upon a specific amount of fabric and %OWG that you are trying to achieve. Measuring by teaspoons and tablespoons will always vary, due to each dye having a different density - some are powdery, some are more heavy. Unless you do some sort of math to get the ratio of fabric to dye, the %OWG will not work well for your system of dyeing. You can use the generic Pale, Medium, Dark, and Black amounts in our directions for the best results - http://www.prochemical.com/directions/MX_DirectApplication.htm

Marg